Job Details

Police Communications Dispatcher The City of Oakland is accepting applications to join the Oakland Police Department Communications Division. Come and join a wonderful team of professionals dedicated to serving the citizens of Oakland. Continue your dispatch career with the City of Oakland!During training, working hours and days off vary. Dispatchers may work any of the three shifts in a 24-hour period; may be required to work a schedule with rotating days off; often work weekends, holidays, and overtime as required by emergencies or Departmental needs. This is a public contact position. We are looking for someone who:possesses the ability to act promptly, logically, and decisively;can communicate clearly;is able to read, comprehend and retain information;will maintain a calm and professional demeanor even under stressful situations;has the ability to adapt to changing situations;is able to multi-task;is highly self-motivated; andwill display a high level of integrity.The sensitivity of the position calls for emotionally stable applicants. Applicants must have a satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen. Final candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation, a polygraph examination, and a medical examination. Excessive alcohol usage, drug abuse, a poor work record or any falsification of employment information are grounds for disqualification from employment consideration.What you will typically be responsible for:Receiving and screening telephone calls and recording dataAnalyzing calls for priority levelUsing computer-aided keyboard and data entry equipment or manually recording and relaying information (often of an emergency nature) to appropriate unitsReceiving, transmitting, and recording dataRunning queries in automated warrant information systemsAnswering questions from the publicDispatching from a mobile command center, as requestedA few reasons why you might love a career as a Police Communications Dispatcher:The work you do directly impacts the public and City of Oakland residentsYou will have the ability to demonstrate your honesty, moral and ethical decision-making skillsIn this role, you will use your fact-finding abilities to identify needs, make decisions, and address issuesThere are lots of opportunity for growth within the City of OaklandA few challenges you may face as a Police Communications Dispatcher:You must remain calm to effectively handle high-stress situationsThis position requires that you are careful about details and thorough in completing tasksYou will need to maintain composure when faced with callers in aggressive, angry, or emotional situationsCompetencies Required:Analyzing & Interpreting Data : Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative dataAttention to Detail : Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work productsCustomer Focus : Attending to the needs and expectations of customersDisplaying Ownership and Accountability : Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective resultsHandling Stress : Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversityLearning Agility : Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to one's workOral Communication : Engaging effectively in dialogueProfessional Integrity & Ethics : Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountabilityProfessional & Technical Expertise : Applying technical subject matter to the jobProfessional Impact : Presenting self as a positive representative of the organizationTeamwork : Collaborating with others to achieve shared goalsUsing Technology : Working with electronic hardware and software applicationsWriting : Communicating effectively in writingMinimum Requirements for Application Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable.Education: Equivalent to graduation from high schoolExperience: Three (3) years of full-time of responsible work experience as a Dispatcher in a law enforcement environment. Applicants shall not have had a break in service as a Dispatcher in a law enforcement environment greater than three years (36-months) prior to application.Other Requirements:Applicants currently working in California as a Dispatcher in a law enforcement environment must possess a valid Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course Certificate issued the California P.O.S.T.Applicants currently working outside of California as a Dispatcher in a law enforcement environment must pass the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course within one year of appointment as a condition of continued employment.Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.Must pass a thorough background investigation.Bilingual Requirements: A select number of positions filled through this recruitment will require selective bilingual skills in one or more of the following languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish. Please note, identified bilingual skills will be tested prior to a final offer of employment. Candidates must pass the bilingual skills test to achieve placement on and/or remain on the bilingual skills eligible list. NOTE: Bilingual skills are not required for most positions.Background Investigation, Psychological and Medical Assessment: Final candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation by the Oakland Police Department Backgrounds Unit which may include, but is not limited to:A thorough review of the completed Personal History Statement (PHS)A polygraphA criminal history check consisting of a fingerprint check with the California Department of Justice and FBIA drug history check (certain drug usage may result in an automatic disqualification)A credit history checkInterviews with previous and past employers and co-workersPresent and past neighborhood checksEducation verificationDriving record checkChecks with Law Enforcement agencies in the area you liveMilitary history (if applicable)Unfavorable information revealed during the background investigation is grounds for rejection or discharge. After a conditional job offer is made, candidates will be assessed for compliance with Police Department medical and psychological standards. Any remaining background issues will be resolved during the post-offer phase. Character-related information discovered during the post-offer stage may be grounds for revocation of the conditional job offer and removal from hiring consideration. In addition, the City Physician will evaluate each candidate to determine their ability to meet the physical demands of the job. The medical exam includes a drug-screening test.Supplemental Information This is a Continuous Recruitment, this recruitment may close without notice once a sufficient number of applications have been received. Candidates are only eligible to apply once every three (3) months. Candidates that earn their place on the resulting eligible list may remain active on the eligible list for up to two (2) years.The Recruitment Process:The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the "minimum qualifications" listed for each position.Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the online Police Communications Dispatcher Typing Assessment (weighted pass/fail): The typing assessment will consist of three, five-minute timed typing tests. The scores attained on the three typing assessments will be averaged to determine candidate's average net WPM. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to type at least 35 average net words per minute. Note, a typing certification will NOT be accepted in lieu of the required typing assessment; all candidates are required to take and pass the typing assessment. Candidates are only permitted to participate in the typing assessment once every three (3) months. Candidates that pass the required typing assessment will be invited to participate in the CritiCall 3D Performance Assessment (weighted 100%).The Criti