Police Dispatch/Records Technician - Continuous bei City of Placerville, CA

About the Department

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. 

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION 
Under general supervision of the Police Support Services Supervisor, performs a variety of duties involved in receiving, evaluating, prioritizing, and relaying calls for emergency and nonemergency assistance; dispatches necessary police units; obtains information requested by officers; operates a variety of telecommunications equipment including radio, telephone, and computer aided dispatch systems; and performs a wide variety of specialized clerical duties involved in compiling information for, processing, preparing, and maintaining a variety of records, reports, and statistics as necessary. 

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS
The Police Dispatcher/Records Technician is a non-sworn Police Department class that provides dispatching and other police records and office support services. Positions assigned to this class are expected to perform the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, applying program knowledge, and exercising judgment and initiative while having a great deal of public contact. Once trained, positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

Position Duties

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Receives calls to the dispatch center including 911 calls, other emergency calls, and nonemergency calls from citizens requesting service or information; operates a variety of public safety communications equipment including 911 emergency telephone equipment, computer aided dispatch systems, and multi-channel radio system; enters and maintains information into CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system.

2. Evaluates response necessary as dictated by a given request for service; determines nature, location, and priority of calls; assigns and dispatches appropriate police units in accordance with policies and procedures; transfers calls to other appropriate agency in accordance with established procedures; monitors fire, medical, and sheriff’s radios; obtains and dispatches other support services as necessary including other law enforcement agencies as necessary.

3. Maintains contact with all units on assignment; maintains status and location of police field units; receives and processes requests for information from police field units.

4. Queries information from law enforcement communication networks relating to wanted persons, criminal history, stolen property, and Department of Motor Vehicle information.

5. Queries and enters stolen, stored, and repossessed vehicle information.

6. Enters information into the department’s automated records management system, the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS), and other systems as required; enters missing persons, pawn slips, towed and stored vehicles, moving violations, parking citations, and related items; enters all radio traffic in appropriate calls for service.

7. Performs a wide variety of specialized clerical duties involved in the preparation, maintenance, and release of information related to law enforcement activities; organize, process, update, maintain, and route a variety of departmental reports, records, and files; runs criminal history and DMV information; processes police reports including forwarding copies of reports to appropriate agencies and individuals in accordance with the Public Records Act guidelines and our department’s policies and procedures.

8. Monitors TRAC and teletype machine; receives and disperses teletype information; creates and sends TRAC flyers; creates TRAC photo line-ups as necessary

9. Tests and inspects equipment as required; changes tape in recorder.

10. Performs other general clerical and office support duties; shreds confidential papers and printouts; ensures cleanliness of work area.

11. Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. 

Knowledge of:

1.  Operations, services, and activities of a police telecommunications and dispatch center.
2. Operational characteristics of modern public safety telecommunications equipment including computer aided dispatch systems and multi-channel radio systems.
3. Law enforcement and emergency service procedures for responding to and handling reported incidents.
4. Police terminology.
5. Techniques of questioning for both emergency and non-emergency calls.
6. Methods and techniques of receiving, prioritizing, and dispatching emergency and nonemergency calls for service.
7. Standard broadcasting procedures and rules.
8. Law enforcement records management principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment. Functions of the Police Department and other City Departments.
9. Geographic features and locations within the area served. English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
10. Modern office methods, procedures, and equipment including specialized public safety computer systems and applications and other word processing and spreadsheet applications.
11. Criminal justice information systems, system networks, and services including functions and relationships of agencies involved in the criminal justice system.
12. Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations and department rules, policies, and procedures.
13. Customer service principles and practices. Method and techniques of telephone etiquette.
14. Principles and procedures of record keeping and filing. 
15. Basic principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation. 

Ability to:

1. Evaluate emergency situations and make split-second decisions regarding the type of response appropriate for the circumstances.
2. Effectively communicate and elicit information from upset and irate callers.
3. Make independent decisions that affect the safety of public safety personnel, citizens, and property, such as those involved in determining the urgency of requests received and the appropriate action to take.
4. Dispatch police units quickly and effectively.
5. Listen and comprehend radio transmissions and telephone calls.
6. Clearly project voice over radio and telephone.
7. Work under pressure, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
8. Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
9. Deal tactfully and courteously with the public.
10. Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
11. Operate a variety of telecommunications receiving and transmitting equipment including radio transmitting communication equipment, teletype equipment, and computer equipment.
12. Operate office equipment including specialized public safety computer systems to access and maintain data.
13. Read and interpret maps and other navigational resources and give directions.
14. Type and enter data accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
15. Interpret, apply, and explain applicable federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws, codes and regulations including police records retention and dissemination policies and procedures.
16. Maintain composure, alertness and concentration while working for extended periods of time. Compile, maintain, process, and prepare a variety of records and reports.
17. Perform a variety of specialized office support and clerical duties in support of the Police Department.
18. Perform record searches quickly and accurately.
19. Exercise good judgment in maintaining critical and sensitive information, records, and reports.
20. Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
21. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
22. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: 

Education/Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Additional specialized training in law enforcement, criminal justice, or a related field is desirable.

Experience: One year of responsible experience dealing with the public and in interpreting and enforcing ordinances and regulations, preferably in a law enforcement or criminal justice setting.

License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain by date of appointment, an appropriate driver’s license.

Other Qualifications

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. 

Environment: Work is performed primarily in an office and field environment; travel to different sites; exposure to inclement weather conditions; exposure to irate and abusive individuals; exposure to mechanical hazards and to hazardous traffic conditions; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office and field setting; to walk or sit for prolonged periods of time; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to operate assigned equipment and vehicle; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. City of Placerville Police Dispatcher/Records Technician.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.