Job Details

Public Safety Dispatcher

The Atascadero Police Department serves the City of Atascadero, a small, beautiful, central coast community located in San Luis Obispo County, California. The City has a population of 30,000 residents and is situated along Highway 101, halfway between the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco. The community is located in the Paso Robles wine region; is a short 20-minute drive to the beach and Highway 1; within a three-hour drive to Yosemite National Park; or two hours to Monterey and Carmel. For those that enjoy the outdoors, we are close to four local lakes, a national forest and endless hiking and biking trails. Our community is a great place to live, work, and raise a family! Become a member of an organization consisting of hardworking individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact through public service. The Atascadero Police Department currently consists of nearly 30 sworn and about a dozen civilian employees. Our management team is committed to supporting, mentoring and developing our employees. We embrace the value of fostering and maintaining positive relationships both externally and within our organization. We believe the Public Safety Dispatch unit is the nerve center for our organization. The Patrol Division and Detective Unit work closely with the Dispatch Unit on a regular basis, based on the needs of the Department.

If you are passionate about wanting to be in public service and assisting law enforcement and fire, we encourage you to apply! Aspiring Police and Fire Dispatchers will find an exceptional teamwork environment at the City of Atascadero, that prioritizes a positive learning experience, team building, and a strong supportive culture within the department. In addition to a competitive salary and comprehensive health coverage, we offer an extensive employee wellness program. Our department firmly believes in investing in the overall wellness of our employees in order to create a positive and thriving workplace environment. Selected candidates will undergo training within the public safety dispatch center as well as the required POST 120-hour course within their first year of employment. Additionally, ongoing training specific to your position will continue yearly throughout your career.

Under general supervision, operates radios and communications equipment to receive, evaluate, respond to calls for information and service; transmits critical data to appropriate police, fire, medical and other personnel; maintains police records and a variety of confidential reports; stores evidence and property and maintains files; performs varied typing and clerical tasks; performs other related duties as required. Receives supervision from the Dispatch Supervisor or Lead Dispatcher. May oversee the work of other clerical support and volunteer staff as assigned.

The duties and responsibilities listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Monitors, receives and transmits emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire and medical services received by telephone, in person, by radio or through computer terminal teletype and alarm systems.
• Obtains and records information as to exact location of emergencies and uses radio to dispatch equipment in accordance with predetermined plans.
• Provides pre-arrival medical instructions.
• Operates computer-aided dispatcher and other computer systems simultaneously.
• Maintains records and prepares activity logs on information reported, equipment dispatched and disposition of incidents.
• Keeps and records radio contact with police, fire and other unit personnel in the field.
• Broadcasts descriptions of missing and wanted persons, lists of stolen and recovered property, other information to police units; responds to officer inquiries.
• Consistent with departmental rules and regulations, provides information, forms, reports, and various documents to requesting parties.
• Keeps track of various information such as traffic lights out and streets closed and keeps emergency personnel informed.
• Takes non-investigative field and counter reports.
• Searches files for materials and makes copies as necessary.
• Refers individuals to other agencies offering services not provided by the police department.
• Types various items of correspondence, logs, reports, and forms and maintains filing systems.
• Stores, secures, releases, transports, and maintains records of property and evidence obtained in police operations.
• Maintains dispatch center work area and equipment in clean and working condition.
• Maintains departmental security by operating intercoms, locks and gates.
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function, as required.

Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for satisfactory job performance. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Equivalent to completion of high school;
• One year responsible clerical or technical experience involving records or communications;
• Experience in working with computers and computer-aided systems;
• Experience in general clerical work.

Considerable knowledge of office procedures, computer systems, recordkeeping systems, forms, correspondence, reports and other materials common to operation of a police department. Knowledgeable regarding police and fire dispatching procedures and the laws and regulations governing the use of dispatching equipment in a law enforcement agency; agencies involved with police activities; laws and regulations controlling the storage, control, and disposal of evidence and property. Skill in the operation of radio communications equipment, computer systems and standard office machines including, but not limited to, tools listed herein. Ability to use proper English in voice and written communications; use computer-aided dispatch system and other computers systems simultaneously; type at a corrected rate of 40 wpm; speak in a direct and understandable manner; work cooperatively with the public and others in person and via telephone exercising tact, judgment and discretion, in a high activity environment.

Possession of a valid and appropriate California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record, without any record of suspension or revocation in any state. Possession of a certificate of successful completion of POST-approved 120-hour Public Safety Dispatch Course, prior to the end of probation. Must be a permanent United States Citizen or hold status of an immigrant "Permanent Resident." Must be able to pass a medical examination administered by the City Medical consultant periodically. Pursuant to California Labor Code Section 3211.9, service is essential in times of extreme emergency or disaster. For this reason, State law designates public employees as "Disaster Service Workers". As such and even when off-duty, this position may be required to return to duty in case of emergency or disaster.

Communications switchboard, including computer-aided systems; personal computer including word processing software; telephone; typewriter; fingerprint processing kit; copy machine; fax machine; radio. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. There is typically a high level of activity. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The Atascadero Police Department has a peer support program and the City provides support to employees, offering four paid yearly support counseling sessions.

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests might be required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.