Salary : $60,034.00 - $72,982.00 Annually
Location : Shafter, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 25/01
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 04/25/2025
Closing Date: 5/9/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Objective
Under limited supervision, maintain effective and efficient communication involved in receiving incoming calls for police and dispatching necessary units in accordance with Federal Communications Commission laws and other applicable codes and regulations. Perform other administrative and law enforcement duties as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This classification performs the full range of receiving and dispatching emergency calls for the Police Department. Responsibilities are centered on extensive contact with the public over the telephone, in both emergency and non-emergency situations, to receive, transmit, and provide factual information, forms, and reports. All activities must be performed within specified legal guidelines. Incumbents are expected to work independently and exercise judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

This class is distinguished from the Police Dispatch Supervisor in that the latter is the full supervisory-level class in the series responsible for organizing, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of staff involved in police dispatch services.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this class.

• Operate a Computer-Aided Dispatch System (CADS) to input incident and emergency information and review information entered by other personnel.
• Receive emergency calls from the public requesting police, fire, medical, or other emergency service; determine nature and location of emergency; determine priorities and dispatch police, fire, ambulance, and other emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures; maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of police units.
• Monitor direct emergency alarms; answer non-emergency calls for assistance; arrange for tow trucks and public works emergency service or contact appropriate agencies.
• Enter, update, and retrieve information from a variety of computer systems; receive requests for information regarding vehicle registration, driving records, and warrant information and provide pertinent data; monitor several complex public safety radio frequencies; operate a variety of communications equipment, including radio consoles, telephones, and computer systems.
• Utilize the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) to retrieve and send information to other agencies and review information entered by internal personnel.
• Provide accurate and timely information to various agencies and organizations, as requested.
• Stay abreast of new laws, policies, and procedures by attending monthly trainings; perform related duties as assigned.
• Speak clearly and precisely; exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens; exercise independent judgment and work with minimum supervision.
• Provide general instructions and assistance to new dispatchers.
• Perform a variety of record-keeping, filing, indexing, and other general clerical work; receive payment of bail and fees for clerical services rendered; test and inspect equipment as required.
• Create reports by gathering applicable data for court hearings and trials.
• Process suspect background checks, including live scan fingerprinting and ink fingerprinting techniques.
• Administer urine sample tests and prisoner searches as assigned; provide general instruction to new employees.
• Perform duties of a disaster services worker in the event of an emergency.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or equivalent; and
• One (1) year of experience in general office, dispatch, or a similar work environment; and
• Ability to fluently read, write, and speak Spanish is highly desired.

LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

• Typing Certificate of 45 words per minute minimum and
• Possession of the Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate or ability to complete the POST Certified Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course within 12 months of appointment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Microsoft Office Suite.
• Standard radio and telephone communication receiving and transmitting equipment and operation of a variety of office equipment.
• Business arithmetic and basic statistical techniques.
• Basic principles of record keeping.
• Functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies.
• Terminology and procedures used in public safety dispatching.
• Operation of computer-aided communications equipment, including multiple telephone lines and radio systems.
• City geography, maps, streets, landmarks, and driving directions.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to the assigned area of responsibility.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Skilled in:

• Setting priorities and being able to meet assignment deadlines.
• Good judgment, dependability, and adaptability.
• Communication to effectively convey ideas, both written and oral.

Ability to:

• Assess and prioritize emergency situations while remaining calm and using sound, independent judgment.
• Speak in a clear and concise manner.
• Comprehend and follow instructions from supervisors, including verbal and written instructions.
• Learn geographic features and streets of the city, standard broadcasting procedures and rules, and the operation of a variety of office equipment.
• Read and interpret maps and other pertinent documentation.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer systems, specialized software applications, and visual displays for extended periods of time.
• Learn applicable codes, regulations, policies, technical processes, and procedures, including penal, vehicle, and health and safety codes and regulations.
• Learn specialized computer software.
• Interpret, apply, and explain policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Obtain necessary information from individuals in stressful or emergency situations.
• Compile and summarize information to prepare accurate, clear, and concise reports.
• Organize, maintain, and update office database and records systems.
• Make accurate arithmetic and statistical computations.
• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner, organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Work in a diverse team environment; establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Verbally communicate to exchange information.
• Hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds in person and by telephone.
• Use hands to fingers; feel computers and standard business equipment; make repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties.
• Lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 25 lbs. amounts of weight.
• Bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
• Visual requirements include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

MENTAL DEMANDS

• Use written and oral communication skills.
• Interpret data, information, and documents.
• Analyze and solve complex problems.
• Work under deadlines with constant interruptions.
• Interact with City management, staff, the public, and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom may be dissatisfied or quarrelsome.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed primarily in an indoor environment.

All City of Shafter employees are designated "Disaster Service Workers" through state and local laws (CA Government Code Section 3100-3109). As Disaster Service Workers, all City employees are expected to remain at work or report to work as soon as practicable following a significant emergency or disaster.
The City of Shafter is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations for disabilities may be requested from the Human Resources Department at (661) ###-#### or
APPLICATION PROCESS Incomplete application packets will be rejected. Application packets must contain the following:

1. City of Shafter Employment Application

2. High School Diploma or GED

3. Detailed Resume
4. Typing Certificate from an . *Online certificates will not be accepted*.
SELECTION PROCESS

The following are steps in the selection process. Candidates must pass each step before proceeding to the next step:

1. Submit a complete employment application as listed under the Application Process

2. Application Review

3. Panel Interview

4. Name Placed on Eligibility List

5. Background Investigation

6. Conditional Offer

7. Medical Examination

8. Formal Offer

9. Begin Employment

10. 12-month Probationary Period
Comprehensive City Paid Benefit Package

• California Public Employees Retirement Plan (CalPERS) in accordance with the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA)
  • Sworn Officers - Safety Plan 3% @ 55 or 2.7% @ 57
  • Non Sworn - Miscellaneous 2% @ 55 or 2% @ 62
• Medical, Dental, & Vision: City pays 100% of the medical, dental, & vision premiums on the base plan for employee, spouse, registered domestic partner, and dependents.
• Life Insurance: City pays 100% of the premium for employee, spouse, registered domestic partner, and dependents. Employee benefit is equal to 12 times monthly base salary + $17,000, rounded to next $1000.
• Vacation: 10 days to start to 25 days maximum.
• Holidays: 10 fixed and 2 floating annually.
• Sick Leave: 96 hours annually.
• Work Schedule: 3/12 or 5/8 Work Schedule depending on classification
• Uniform and Equipment: Depending on the classification employees may be provided with uniforms or receive an annual allowance.
• Cellular Telephone issued to sworn officers for business use.
• Spanish Fluency Incentive: 5% of base pay or $120 per month depending on classification.
• POST Intermediate Incentive: 5% of base pay.
• POST Advanced Incentive: 5% of base pay.
• POST Supervisor Incentive: 2.5%
• College Degree: Student +60 units - 2.5% Associate - 2.5% or Bachelor - 5%
• Tuition Reimbursement: $3,000 Annually
• IRS 125 Tax Deferred Flexible Spending Account - voluntary
• IRS 457 Tax Deferred Retirement Plan - voluntary
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bereavement Leave
• Shift differntial pay of $1.00 an hour for any hours worked during the following shifts: Sworn - 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Dispatch - 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Longevity Pay: 3 years - 2.5%, 7 years - 2.5%, 12 years - 2%, 16 years - 2%, 20 years - 1%

01

Do you have one (1) year of experience in general office, disptach, or in a similar work environment?

• Yes
• No

02

If you answered yes to question #1 above, please provide us with details regarding your experience.
Required Question