Police Dispatcher I

Under general and/or immediate supervision, performs a variety of duties involved in answering 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls; analyze, prioritize, and enter calls for service via a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system; dispatch emergency personnel via multi-frequency radio system, telephone, or other communications equipment; record and monitor activities of field and communications personnel; receive incoming calls for police and emergency assistance and dispatch necessary units; perform a variety of general support duties related to dispatch activities; and related work as assigned on an assigned shift for the Police Department.

POSITION SNAPSHOT: The Fontana Police Dispatcher is a non-uniformed position. A typical shift is 12-hours which predominantly takes place within the Dispatch Center of the Police Department. You will be a member of a productive team that operates in a fast-paced environment while answering calls from the public and communicating with department personnel in the field via phone, computer, or radio. This communication includes but is not limited to: call taking, working secondary and primary radio channels, collecting and/or passing information to partner jurisdictions, and accurate data-entry. The goal of a Dispatcher is to serve the community through respectful, empathetic communication with a focus on problem solving and maintaining professionalism.

The incumbent must have the ability to:

• Receive emergency and non-emergency calls, complaints, and inquiries from the public. Evaluate and analyze information to determine jurisdiction, necessity, and response needed.
• Determine the nature and location of emergency and non-emergency calls for service, including 9-1-1 calls, and prioritize response.
• Dispatch emergency and non-emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures. Use appropriate terminology and radio codes relaying to police personnel in the field via radio and mobile data computer terminals.
• Listen and comprehend radio transmissions from emergency personnel in the field; acknowledge, document, and comply with requests for action or information.
• Coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other public safety agencies.
• Maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of police field units, checking periodically to verify location, activity, and status, supplying back-up personnel and taking other appropriate steps to provide for the safety of field personnel.
• Organize and coordinate activities of field units.
• Place telephone calls to other safety agencies, City departments, City emergency crews, tow companies, ambulance services, coroner, telephone and utility companies, and others to relay information or request services, maintaining detailed record of the time and nature of each call.
• Operate CAD equipment, enhanced 9-1-1 telephone system equipment, multi-frequency radio equipment, Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), and other relative office equipment and systems.
• Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing, and other general clerical work.
• Monitor radio channels for service requests from other jurisdictions and emergency radio traffic that may affect the City’s operations.
• Monitor security cameras and license plate readers to provide real-time information to field units.
• Attend patrol briefings as assigned.
• Testify in court as needed.
• Enter, update, and retrieve information on wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen property/vehicles, and other information from computer and teletype networks including but not limited to California Law Enforcement Teletype System (CLETS), Department of Justice (DOJ), National Law Enforcement Teletype System (NLETS)/National Crime Information Center (NCIC), etc.
• Learn departmental policies and procedures for service requests.
• Read maps, memorize streets and major hundred blocks and reasonably apply this knowledge to service requests, field unit beat assignments, and coordination of response.
• Learn police codes, practices, and methods.
• Work under pressure, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Effectively and courteously deal with the public, including irate, upset, and difficult callers during hectic, tense, and dangerous situations.
• Work various shifts as assigned, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Interact with co-workers at all levels in the organization in a collaborative and customer service-oriented manner.
• Maintain prompt and regular attendance.
• Perform all duties with the context of the City/Department’s Mission Statement and Organizational Values.
• May perform occasional matron duties as assigned.
• Provide on-the-job training and technical guidance to new employees in the Dispatch Unit.
• Perform any other tasks or functions deemed necessary to the daily operations of the employer.
• Other duties as assigned.
• This position is always evolving. Therefore, employer reserves the right to modify this job description as necessary.

THE ABOVE LIST OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND MAY BE SUPPLEMENTED AS NECESSARY BY THE EMPLOYER.

Working Conditions: Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily office activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and finger coordination in preparing and entering data, using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading correspondence and using the computer, and acute hearing is required when providing phone and counter service to the public. The need to lift, drag and push file, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds also is required.

A combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. The incumbent must have knowledge of:

• Modern office equipment including computers and applicable software.
• Modern office procedures, practices, and equipment.
• Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Methods and techniques for record keeping.

Experience:
One (1) year of work experience that involves a substantial amount of public contact. One (1) year of telephone and/or dispatch and general clerical experience is desirable.

Education:

Completion of the twelfth grade, or equivalent.

In addition, advancement from a Police Dispatcher I to a II requires incumbent to demonstrate competence in all phases/duties/responsibilities of the position and have recommendation of a Communications Supervisor.

Licenses/Certifications:
Possession of, and continuously throughout employment, a valid California Class “C” Driver’s License or equivalent.

Candidates must be able to type at a minimum speed of 45 NET WPM (a typing test will be administered at a later date as part of the recruitment process).

Supplemental Information

Successful candidates will be required to pass a drug screening, fingerprint screening, physical examination and a background investigation.

If you were referred to this position by a current Fontana Police Department employee, please use the link below to download the Applicant Referral Form. This form must be completed and submitted to the Human Resources Department at the time that your application is submitted. Submit completed forms to HUMANRESOURCES@FONTANACA.GOV or to the Human Resources Office. Forms received after the position closes will not be accepted.

Click here to download the Applicant Referral Form.