Communications Operator I

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives immediate supervision from a Communications Supervisor and receives functional supervision from Patrol Supervisors to include the OnDuty Watch Commander.

• Receives interprets classifies prioritizes and responds to calls of a routine and emergency nature including those calls involving lifethreatening situations. Enters relevant information by computer keyboard and accurately transits messages for dispatching as necessary and in accordance with established procedures operating a computer aided dispatch system.
• Assigns calls to police units for necessary action determining the appropriate units required for response. Coordinates when necessary with patrol supervisors regarding deployment of personnel. Visually monitors video display terminals and actively listens to police radio frequencies to ensure correct status of officers and emergency personnel. Maintains contact with all units on assignment; maintains daily log of all field calls and units dispatched.
• Dispatches law enforcement or other emergency personnel and equipment. Operates a variety of communications equipment including computeraided dispatch terminals radio transmitters and receivers dispatch consoles electronic data terminals telephone and lease line teletype. Monitors multiple computer screens simultaneously. Enters updates and retrieves information from computerized databases relating to wanted persons stolen property vehicle registration stolen vehicles and other information.
• Use telecommunications systems to coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement and public safety agencies. Determines appropriate communications or research channels selected from emergency telephone lines radio room telephone lines business telephone lines police radio channels other agency radio channels and manual computerized information systems.
• Provides information to officers and field personnel expeditiously including but not limited to warrants vehicles drivers licenses parole and criminal history information. Interprets or clarifies coded responses from various systems for law enforcement public safety or other relevant parties. Confirms warrants with responsible agencies receives and files warrants and updates status of warrants. Receives responds to and documents requests for Division of Motor Vehicle printouts; documents vehicle impound information.
• Accurately processes information received in the communications center and accurately disseminates that information to the appropriate concerned parties including but not limited to relatives of those involved; employers; hospitals; sworn and nonsworn public safety personnel at other agencies; other City departments; ambulance services; detoxification centers; tow companies; attorneys; state parole; county probation; animal control; commercial establishments; alarm companies and schools.
• When appropriate monitors other public safety and emergency preparedness radio traffic; security monitors; and takes necessary action.
• Maintains a variety of automated and manual logs records and files related to communications center activities.
• Make court appearances as required related to assigned activities.
• Perform a variety of record keeping filing indexing and other general clerical work; maintain a variety of logs relating to public safety activities.
• Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Perform other work as assigned.
• When Functioning in the Field:
• Operate a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Perform communications center activities in a mobile vehicle or mobile setting.
• Perform other work as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Customer service and professional telephone answering techniques.
• Modern office procedures methods and computer equipment.
• Correct English usage spelling punctuation and grammar.

Ability to:

• Act appropriately and decisively under stressful and/or emergency situations.
• Learn apply and maintain knowledge of departmental rules regulations policies and procedures and information pertaining to law enforcement dispatch.
• Learn policies and procedures of receiving and processing emergency calls.
• Read understand and apply a variety of calltaking information and materials.
• Learn call interview and law enforcement dispatch techniques and procedures.
• Learn basic communications rules and regulations governing the operation of radio transmitting and receiving systems.
• Utilize a twoway radio system to communicate with field units; and accurately maintain the status of all field units.
• Read and effectively interpret smallscale maps have general knowledge of surrounding geographical area and information generated from a computer screen.
• Learn general law enforcement codes practices and methods.
• Act promptly and appropriately in emergencies.
• Speak clearly and concisely in a wellmodulated voice pattern.
• Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Understand and follow both oral and written instructions promptly and accurately.
• Communicate effectively in the English language in both oral and written forms.
• Wear a telephone headset and be able to hear distinguish and understand voices with background noises present.
• Type accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance. Must type a minimum of 35 words per minute.
• Establish and maintain courteous and effective work relationships with subordinates peers supervisors and the general public.
• Operate various office equipment including computer terminals.
• Work various shifts as assigned.
• Work flexible hours.
• Sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Effectively multitask.
• Provide courteous and effective customer service.
• Maintain professional composure and take responsible and effective action during stressful situations.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience:
Some experience operating radio computeror other communication equipment is highly desirable.

Training:
A High School Diploma or G.E.D. supplemented by general clerical experience.

License or Certificate:
Possession of or ability to obtain an appropriate valid California driver license upon hire.

Tools and Equipment
Telephone console to receive 911 and nonemergency telephone calls; PC computer aided dispatch systems with mapping features and printer; Radio console controls and monitors; Headsets; Mobile Data computers; Microsoft Word and Email; Copy machine; Fax machine; California Law Enforcement Telephone System (CLETS); Telecommunications Device for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TDD).

The Recruitment & Selection Process

• The City of Vallejo Police Department utilizes Criticall to test for the knowledge skills and abilities needed to perform the essential duties for the position of Communications Operator. This is an online assessment that consists of seven components that takes approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes to complete. The assessment may NOT be completed by anyone other than the applicant. To validate the integrity of a successful candidates score the candidate will be asked to verify that no one completed any portion of the assessment on their behalf during polygraph questioning. Those whom are found to be untruthful in the submission of their assessment will be withdrawn from consideration for the position.

• Criticall assessments will be proctored online the second and fourth Friday of every month beginning on February 14 2025until the position has closed. The application deadline to be included in an assessment group will be the Thursday prior to the date of the assessment as described below:

• Testing instructions and information will be sent to you through NeoGov notification on the day of your scheduled assessment. To ensure timely delivery of notifications regarding your application status and testing please make sure that NeoGov and Government Jobs are added to your safe senders list and not filtered as spam when communications from these entities arrive in your email.

PRIOR TO HIRE
The selected candidate(s) will be required to successfully complete and pass the following to advance in the hiring process:

• Chiefs Interview
• Communications Center sit along
• Completed Personal History Statement (PHS)
• Live Scan Fingerprinting
• Polygraph
• POST Dispatcher Background Investigation
• Psychological Assessment
• Medical Assessment

Disaster Service Workers All City of Vallejo (City) employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSW) by state 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 DSWrelated training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Veterans Preference Veterans preference points will be applied in accordance with Civil Service Rule 24. A copy of the DD 214 form must be filed at time of application.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE The City of Vallejo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Vallejo to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race color religion sex national origin age disability sexual orientation gender gender identity gender expression marital status ancestry medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics) genetic information or denial of medical and family care leave or any other nonjobrelated factors.

Note: The provisions in this bulletin do not constitute a contract expressed or implied and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.