Senior Dispatcher - Promotional Exam chez City of Rochester (NY), NY

About the Department

The employees in this title are responsible for receiving, transmitting and relaying information via two-way radio regarding environmental operations such as water system repair and snow and refuse removal.  These employees use a personal computer and mainframe terminal to search and update information regarding customer billing, contracts, equipment and location of underground utilities.  This information is relayed to workers in the field, to customers calling regarding bills and service or to supervisors and staff in other offices.  Work is performed in an office environment.  Senior Dispatchers coordinate the dispatch office on a daily basis, as well as the work of snow contractors and emergency crews.  The City dispatch function is in operation 24 hours a day, and employees may be assigned to work on evening or night shifts, fill in for absent workers, and work during weather emergencies as required.  Related work is performed as required.

Position Duties

• Dispatches work crews and vehicles to worksite per directions from supervisors or according to procedure, via two-way radio;
• Responds to customer service questions via phone, identifies nature and extent of problem and resolves problems or ensures others do so;
• Notifies Police and Fire departments, bus company, various utility companies and other city divisions concerning emergency and problem situations, such as broken water mains, traffic re-routing around worksites, abandoned vehicles, etc.;
• Monitors and keeps records of snow plowing work completed by contractors: number of completed runs, inspection reports, citizen complaints, etc.;
• Adjusts various service routes based on information received regarding the construction, repair, closing and opening of streets or changes in traffic circulation;
• Prepares snow, leaf, refuse collection route forms for use by operators, using information provided by managers;
• Assist in verifying charges for departmental services, such as refuse collection, water service, sidewalk plowing, etc.;
• Recommends appropriate billing (i.e., embellishments) for various environmental services by visiting service address and comparing services provided according to customer's bill, what customer claims is actually provided and what level of service is mandated by city code;
• Searches contracts and other documents in order to identify contractors responsible for a work site when emergencies or questions concerning work progress arise;
• Recommends changes to procedures and policy regarding dispatching operations and responsibilities;
• Enters, searches and retrieves data using personal computer;
• Assists management with issuing and receiving employees' time cards and checking entries for accuracy;
• Fills out a variety of forms as required, regarding vehicles, personnel, etc.;
• Coordinates pick-up and return of vehicles and equipment with supervisors and vendors;
• Keeps various logs pertaining to calls and transmissions received and work performed in the field;
• Assists billing office with clerical and customer service work;
• Reads street directories and maps to locate addresses and work sites at the request of workers in the field and, via two-way radio, advises regarding best route to location.
• Reviews dispatch logs and postings from other dispatchers and earlier shifts;
• Coordinates training of new dispatchers in procedures and policies.

PROMOTIONAL FIELD:

Candidates must be currently employed with the City of Rochester and must have served continuously* as a Dispatcher for the 12 months immediately preceding the date of the examination.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High School Diploma or GED     AND:
2. Two (2) years of environmental services dispatch experience such as refuse collection, water distribution, special seasonal operations, street maintenance, etc.

 
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
When assigned to Special Services, valid NYS Class D driver's license at time of appointment.

Other Qualifications

Scopes/Subjects of Examination:  A test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the following areas.

Understanding and Interpreting Written Material:  These questions test for the ability to understand and interpret written material.  You will be presented with brief reading passages and will be asked questions about the passages.  You should base your answers to the questions only on what is presented in the passages and not on what you may happen to know about the topic.

Following Directions (maps):  These questions test your ability to follow physical/geographic directions using street maps or building maps.  You will have to read and understand a set of directions and then use them on a simple map.

Operation of Two-Way Radios Including Procedures and Terms:  These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in the operation of a two-way radio and may include such areas as the proper procedures to use when operating a two-way radio, and the standard terminology used when transmitting and receiving messages over a two-way radio system.

Test Guide:

• The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination.  However, candidates may find information in the publication 'General Guide to Written Tests' helpful in preparing for this test.  This publication is available on line at:  https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm.
• The Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County MAY have exam-related material, as well as, other branches. (i.e., CSEA Exam Preparation booklets)

Postuler maintenant