Class Specifications - B.15
Public Safety Dispatcher--Supervisor - 8955
Lead Public Safety Dispatcher - 8954
Public Safety Dispatcher - 8953
Public Safety Dispatcher Assistant - 8952
January 1991
Series Concept
Public Safety Dispatchers, working in campus safety communications centers, receive calls for assistance and information; dispatch police, emergency medical aid and fire response; provide related automated da~ry. search and entry; monitor various alarm systems; and track and document field unit activities and locations.
Public Safety Dispatchers typically answer telephones, respond to analogue and digital alarms, operate a variety of two way multifrequency radio equipment to dispatch and communicate with police officers, emergency medical personnel, fire fighters, hazardous material response teams, parking enforcement officers, community service officers, and civilian department employees. Dispatchers are responsible for assessing the nature and priority of calls for assistance, determining and assigning the appropriate resources, tracking and documenting the resulting response and disposition on both hard copy and computerized media. Dispatchers research and report automated and hard copy records relating to public safety operations, input and update local, State and Federal criminal records, maintain security of confidential records, purge and destroy confidential records in accordance with law, compile and maintain resource files, develop, apply and update training manuals and records and train and evaluate staff members.
Class Concepts
Public Safety Dispatcher -- Supervisor
Under direction, incumbents direct and supervise the activities of dispatchers and perform the more difficult dispatch tasks and duties as required; develop, implement and audit special procedures and protocols; and plan, organize, direct and evaluate the staff and operations of a communication center.
Incumbents typically have responsibility for a shift; assign, monitor and check the work of dispatchers; train, direct and audit dispatchers in the performance of their duties; develop and maintain records; prepare reports on communications center activities; interface with sworn supervision to resolve specific problems and accomplish goals; evaluate current and propose new procedures to enhance the performance of the operation; evaluate the performance of dispatchers and recommend disciplinary or commendatory action; compile training and operational manuals; assist in the coordination and operation of special law enforcement events; address and resolve citizen complaints; compose correspondence; identify and coordinate the need for communications equipment repairs. Incumbents may supervise one shift of several Dispatchers or multiple shifts with one or two dispatchers.
Lead Public Safety Dispatcher
Under direction, incumbents act in a lead capacity to direct the activities of dispatchers and perform the more difficult dispatch tasks and duties as required; develop, implement and audit special procedures and protocols. Incumbents may have responsibility for coordinating a shift; assign, monitor and check the work of dispatchers; train, direct and audit dispatchers in the performance of their duties; develop and maintain records; prepare reports on communications center activities; interface with sworn supervision to resolve specific problems and accomplish goals; review current and propose new procedures to enhance the performance of the operation; record information on the performance of dispatchers and recommend disciplinary or commendatory action; compile training and operational manuals; assist in the coordination and operation of special law enforcement events; address and resolve citizen complaints; compose correspondence; identify and coordinate the need for communications equipment repairs. Incumbents may coordinate one shift of several Dispatchers or multiple shifts with one or two dispatchers.
Public Safety Dispatcher
Under general supervision, dispatchers receive and relay calls for assistance via telephone, radio and computer terminal; answer and/or redirect calls for information; establish priority and dispatch emergency calls; monitor, acknowledge and input computerized alarm data; monitor and respond to video display activity; track and document all related activities; access, report and update automated criminal records; receive, dispatch and coordinate requests for specialized medical transports; file and maintain hard copy records; research and compose reports and correspondence as assigned; and perform basic maintenance on communications equipment as required. Incumbents may also handle direct citizen requests and staff mobile and remote communications command posts during special events and emergencies.
Public Safety Dispatcher Assistant
Under direct supervision, incumbent performs the majority of the duties of the Public Safety Dispatcher position in a trainee capacity. Receipt, handling and disposition of calls is monitored by incumbent and all record keeping is audited by supervisors. Incumbents perform telephone operation/assistance and other office duties as assigned. Incumbents are expected to progress to the level of Public Safety Dispatcher after ,t successful completion of Peace Officers Standards Training (POST) and on-the-job training.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants for positions in the Public Safety Dispatcher series are expected to possess the skills, knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. Minimum qualifications for Public Safety Dispatcher include satisfactory completion of a POST-certified BO-hour Basic Complaint/Dispatcher course within 12 months of the date of hire; undergo a thorough background investigation; an evaluation of oral communication skills; the completion of a 12 months probation; and, the completion of a medical examination.