Placer County

Public Safety Dispatcher - Supervising (#16428)

$36.95-$46.14 Hourly / $6,404.67-$7,997.60 Monthly / $76,856.00-$95,971.20 Yearly


DEFINITION

To act as shift supervisor and participate in the work of the Public Safety Communications Center; to oversee training of dispatchers; and to provide administrative support to management staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the first supervisory level in the Public Safety Dispatcher series and recognizes positions that perform full, first-line supervisory responsibilities including planning, assigning and evaluating the work of subordinates. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including oversight of training new and experienced dispatchers and acting as shift supervisor; responsibilities may also include supervising personnel on more than one shift. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

 

 

This class is distinguished from the Dispatch Services Supervisor in that the supervisory responsibilities are tied to an assigned shift, whereas the latter class is a second-line supervisor with broader responsibilities which may encompass an organizational section or program area within the Dispatch Unit of the Sheriff’s Department.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from the Dispatch Services Supervisors and/or management staff; and technical and functional supervision from the Watch Commander.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned Public Safety Dispatchers.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Act as shift supervisor, including responsibility for directing the activities of assigned subordinate staff; planning and coordinating dispatch activities for assigned shift; and participating in activities involving the dispatch of routine and emergency law enforcement personnel, including the Sheriff's Department, fire and other municipal and emergency services such as ambulance, tow trucks and rescue services.
  • Oversee and/or provide training for new and existing employees in the operation of 911 communications equipment, the monitoring of specified radio frequencies and the dispatching of public safety equipment and personnel; ensure that all employees are trained to provide pre-arrival medical instructions to individuals prior to rescue and/or ambulance personnel arriving on the scene.
  • Ensure that Public Safety Dispatcher II positions assigned Dispatch Training responsibilities generate and maintain complete training records.
  • Keep watch commander informed of pertinent incoming information and potential operating problems.
  • Maintain the dispatch scheduling records and postings; enter all pre-approved time-off requests and ensure that mandatory staffing coverages are met; recommend and/or order appropriate staff coverage in the event of staffing shortages, depending on the shift to which assigned.
  • Confer with higher-level staff regarding special instructions and/or changes in procedures; relay information to subordinates.
  • Serve as resource to subordinates on policies and procedures.
  • Review radio logs and other documents prepared by dispatchers for accuracy, completeness and legibility.
  • Evaluate performance of employees supervised on an assigned shift; identify and correct operational procedures and problems to maintain a high level of service to field units.
  • May be required to maintain statistical information concerning communication operations.
  • Update computer aided dispatch files as necessary.
  • Perform the dispatch duties as required while supervising a shift.
  • Perform routine computer system maintenance; maintain daily back-up tapes for the C.A.D. system; assist staff in all other data base management activities.
  • Provide communications training in the absence of available staff ordinarily assigned Dispatch Training duties.
  • May provide vacation and other temporary relief for supervisor as required.
  • Prepare requisitions for supplies and other materials.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Prepare requisitions for supplies and other materials.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:  

Experience:  Three years of experience as a Public Safety Dispatcher, one year of which must be in a class comparable to Public Safety Dispatcher II with Placer County.

Training:  Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. 

Required License or Certificate:
  • Successful completion of the P.O.S.T. certified Basic Complaint/Dispatcher course; or the P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatcher Training Equivalency Examination.
  • Must satisfactorily complete the P.O.S.T. certified Emergency Medical Dispatch course prior to completion of probation.
  • Possession of a valid CPR certificate at the time of appointment.
  • Successful completion of the Placer County's Supervisory Management Practices (SMP) course or other equivalent training class or series by the completion of the probationary period. 
  • May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

  • Automated systems pertaining to communication/dispatch operations including C.A.D., C.L.E.T.S. and other internal computer systems.
  • Various jurisdictions to which 911 communication is responsible.
  • Principles of training and adult teaching techniques in an emergency dispatch environment.
  • Organization, operations and terminology of police, fire, or other public safety agencies.
  • Appropriate Emergency Medical Dispatch procedures.
  • Pertinent Federal, State and local laws and codes.
  • Geography of the County and location of streets and important buildings.
  • Departmental established rules and procedures.
  • Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Ability to:

  • Act as shift supervisor and in emergency situations direct an appropriate course of action by operating radio and 911 communications equipment to dispatch public safety equipment and personnel.
  • Sit at workstation for long periods of time on a continuous basis. 
  • Intermittently, twist and reach office equipment or materials from printer or other locations within the dispatch center; write or use keyboard to communicate through written means; verbally give instructions to officers in the field; lift light weight.
  • Quickly and accurately receive and process auditory information in an environment that includes various background noises such as telephones ringing, multiple frequency radio traffic, and general conversation; decipher and differentiate various verbal and non-verbal auditory sounds and cues at variable intensities.
  • Continuously analyze information received from a variety of sources; identify different voices and sounds on the radio and telephone; interpret radio codes correctly and translate information to the public; know various locations and addresses; observe computer screen for messages; receive information from the public and assist in problem solving their particular situation; remember and understand Department policies for different types of calls; explain to the public how their concern will be handled.
  • Supervise, train and evaluate assigned shift personnel.
  • Plan and coordinate dispatch activities for a designated shift.
  • Evaluate the specific training needs of subordinate staff; plan, organize and conduct emergency dispatch training programs.
  • Implement operational policies and procedures effectively.
  • Analyze a situation and determine effective course of action; adjust quickly to changing situations; perform several tasks at once and assign reasonable priorities to incoming calls; monitor multiple frequencies.
  • Listen carefully and attentively and remember names, locations and numbers; record pertinent data associated with C.A.D. events and logs.
  • Speak clearly and concisely in an understandable voice via radio and telephone and in person.
  • Maintain an efficient, calm demeanor in handling adverse or emergency situations; act quickly and calmly and direct other personnel to do the same.
  • Differentiate various sound and tones, i.e., alarms.
  • Read maps quickly and accurately.
  • Operate all equipment associated with the dispatch function including, 911 (basic and advanced), telephone and radio.
  • Understand C.A.D. data files.
  • Maintain accurate and complete records.
  • Operate computerized keyboards and other related equipment at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
  • Work unusual and prolonged work schedules.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and efficient manner.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Follow and train others to follow safe work practices including workplace safety policies and procedures.

CLASS: 16428; EST: 9/2/1995; REV: 1/10/2011;