Public Safety Dispatcher

Class Specifications – B.15
Lead Public Safety Dispatcher (5217)
Public Safety Dispatcher (5216)
Lead Public Safety Dispatcher Assistant (5215)

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 data search and entry; monitor various alarm systems; and track and document field unit activities and locations.

Public Safety Dispatchers typically answer telephones, respond to analog and digital alarms, operate a variety of two-way, multi-frequency 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

Lead Public Safety Dispatcher

Under direction, incumbents act in a lead capacity to direct the activities of dispatchers and to 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 supervise one shift of several dispatchers or multiple shifts with one or two dispatchers.

Public Safety Dispatcher

Under general supervision, incumbents 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 maintain hard copy records; research and compose reports and communications equipment as required. Incumbents may also handle direct citizen requests and staff mobile and remote communications command posts during special events and emergencies.

Assistant Public Safety Dispatcher

Under general supervision, incumbents perform 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 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, 80-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 12 months’ probation; and the completion of a medical examination.