PUBLIC WORKS DISPATCHER

THE JOB: Under general supervision, dispatch Public Works crews and equipment in a coordinated manner; operate a radio receiver and voice transmitter to handle routine and emergency calls and transmit messages; work tactfully and cooperatively with the public in person or over the telephone to obtain information on road damage or public works related problems; operate a computer to input and retrieve data; work with confidential documents and information; remain calm during emergency situations; and do other work as required.

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

• One year of office or field experience in a Public Works department or related agency that has included public contact.  

Knowledge: Working knowledge of the equipment and material used in road and sanitation construction, maintenance, and repair; and working knowledge of English grammar, vocabulary, and spelling.

Ability to: Take messages accurately; determine the nature of the problem or request and determine appropriate action; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with the public, co-workers, and others contacted in the course of work; hear and comprehend normal radio and telephone communications; read maps to locate areas; understand and follow oral and written directions; speak clearly and distinctly and use correct English; quickly learn applicable rules, regulations, and procedures; maintain accurate and legible records; operate calculators and make arithmetic calculations; learn the locations of roads and streets, and geography of Santa Cruz County; remain seated for long periods of time; learn to operate a computer to input and retrieve data.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE – 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years. Available after six months for vacation and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS – 12.5 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE – 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN – The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and dependents.
DENTAL PLAN – County pays for employee and dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN – County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT – Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County pays a portion of retirement contribution and participates in Social Security. 
LIFE INSURANCE – County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
SDI – Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN – Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN – Employees who pay a County medical premium share of cost may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) – Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION – A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.
OTHER – Other pay and benefit items apply to certain positions or assignments, such as Bilingual Pay and On-Call.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental application will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental application. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.  

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and supplemental application to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD# (831) 454-2123.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received:  1) In the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) Submitted online before midnight of the final filing date. Following a review for minimum qualifications, applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be notified that they must submit a completed conviction history questionnaire in order to continue to the examination phase of the process.

IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY THAT WOULD REQUIRE TEST ACCOMMODATION, CALL (831) 454-2600. 
WOMEN, MINORITIES AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.