Dispatcher/Senior Dispatcher

Salary : $51,267.71 - $68,783.01 Annually

Location : Arcata, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: -2

Department: Police

Opening Date: 12/23/2024

Description

ENTRY LEVEL AND LATERALS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. The City of Arcata offers a Hiring Bonus.

$3,000 Hiring Bonus for ENTRY LEVEL Dispatchers: $1,500 will be paid at the completion of the Communications Training Program and the remaining $1,500 will be paid upon successful completion of the probationary period.

$7,500 Hiring Bonus for LATERAL Dispatchers: $3,750 paid upon successful completion of the Communications Training Program and the remaining $3,750 will be paid upon successful completion of the probationary period.

Dispatcher: $51,267.71 - $65,432.01/yr.
Senior Dispatcher: $53,893.29 - $68,783.01/yr.
+3% negotiated salary increases effective 7/1/2025 and 7/1/2026

+Additional 5% pay for POST Public Safety Dispatcher Intermediate Certificate
+Additional 4% pay for POST Public Safety Dispatcher Advanced Certificate
(for a total of 9% upon determination of eligibility by the Department)
Are you interested in a career where you can make a significant impact and contribution to the quality of life and safe environment in our Arcata community through the provision of professional law enforcement services? Do you share the Arcata Police Department values of:Service to our community, Integrity, Responsibility and Accountability, Professionalism, and Pride in and Enjoyment of Your Profession?

Recruitment Process:
This is currently a continuous recruitment with no final filing date. Once your application is received, you will receive information to take an online skills assessment test at your convenience. Candidates who pass the online examination advance to a department interview.

Successful candidates at that stage may be selected to advance to a comprehensive background . Following the background, if an offer of employment is extended, remaining pre-employment processes include a job specific psychological evaluation and complete physical examination (including pre-employment drug screening).

Please contact the Human Resources Division at or if you wish to discuss your background before applying.
Examples of Duties

What Dispatchers do:
Dispatchers receive and dispatch calls from the public for emergency and non-emergency services; assist with clerical duties within the Police Department and perform other important related duties.

View full job description

• Receives emergency service calls from the public; determines nature and location of emergency.

• Dispatches emergency units in accordance with established procedures and policies using a computerized dispatch system.

• Maintains contact with all field units, including accounting for location and status of all units and maintaining records of all field calls.

• Coordinates services with other public and private agencies, including law enforcement, fire department, ambulance, hospital, towing, etc. to request mutual assistance.

• Runs vehicle registration checks and warrant checks on subjects and relays information to Officers in the field; enters, receives, distributes and broadcasts Teletype information.

• Performs dispatch related clerical duties including, but not limited to, processing and filing of various logs, reports, citations, and licenses; data entry, photo copying, copying of recorded information, and DOJ fingerprint processing.

• Monitors scanner and Public Works radio, takes appropriate action as necessary.

• Supports front office function as necessary during business hours; is responsible for front office functions during non-business hours.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Senior Dispatcher: In addition to the above duties, also participates in training of new dispatchers.
Typical Qualifications and Requirements

We will train on the below knowledge:
Knowledge of: Local and state laws including California Penal Code, California Vehicle Code Health and Safety Codes and the City of Arcata Municipal Code; City of Arcata geography; standard office practices; multi-line telephone systems; computer aided dispatch (CAD) and record management systems (RMS); Teletype systems and dispatch related software; police radio communications.

You will need to possess the following:
Ability to: Remain calm while obtaining information from individuals who are in crisis, often involving life or death situations; perform multiple tasks under pressure, with accuracy and speed; operates personal computer using both standard and specialized software; work independently including organization and prioritization of daily tasks.
Additional Information

Experience and Training:

• Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Dispatcher and Senior Dispatcher: Equivalent to graduation from high school.
Dispatcher: At least one (1) year experience in a position with clerical and customer service responsibilities. Prior experience in the operation of radio or other communication equipment is highly desirable.
Senior Dispatcher: Satisfactory demonstration of at least three (3) years experience independently performing the duties of Dispatcher; successful completion of the POST Dispatcher Trainer course; and the ability to perform the specific tasks established for promotion to the position.

• Be willing and available to work a variety of shifts including nights, weekends and holidays.
• Be willing and available to work overtime, as required, with or without prior notice.
• A commitment to understand and support diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Be willing to travel to attend meetings and/or trainings as necessary.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time as required.
• Be able to handle emergency situations while remaining calm.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All City of Arcata employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section ). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/REASONABLE ACCOMMODATON:
The City of Arcata is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability or on any other non-merit factors in its process of recruitment, selection, promotion or other conditions of employment. In accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act reasonable efforts will be made during the examination process to accommodate people with special physical or mental requirements. If special accommodations are necessary, please contact the Personnel Department ) prior to the testing date. When indicating you have a special need, one of the following definitions will apply to you. A disabled person is anyone who: (1) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities: i.e., walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, working or learning; or (2) has a record of such impairment; or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment.

• In accordance with the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, the City must verify, once an employment offer has been made, that all persons have written proof of their right to work in the United States.
• All potential City employees must complete a required pre-employment physical examination, receive DOJ fingerprint clearance, and have a satisfactory driving record (if required to drive for city business).

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AND ANY PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED.

The City of Arcata is proud to offer the following benefits:
Retirement:
CalPERS Program:

• 2% 55 for "CLASSIC" members. Currently, employees pay 10% (7% member rate and 3% of employer rate).
• 2% 62 for "NEW" members. Currently, employees pay 10.75% (7.75% member rate (subject to actuary change annually) and 3% of employer rate).

For vacancies filled by a current City of Arcata employee who is already a CalPERS member, the employee will remain at his/her current CalPERS formula. For existing employees who are 2.7% 55 members: currently employees pay 11% (8% member rate and 3% of employer rate).

Medical:
The City currently pays the majority of the premium for employee and family for medical, dental, and vision. The current monthly employee contribution for employee + 2 or more is $537 for medical for the Anthem Blue Cross EPO 250 Plan OR $399.20 for the Anthem Blue Cross EPO 500 Plan; Contributions are lower for employee only and employee +1. The employee/dependent contribution is fully paid by the City for dental (Ameritas); and vision (VSP) coverage. City offers $400/mo. health insurance opt out option.
Note: There are specific requirements for continuing these medical coverages as a retiree.

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