Job Details

Police Communications DispatcherThe City of Oakland is accepting applications for an exciting opportunity in the Oakland Police Department's Communications Division. Come and join a wonderful team of professionals dedicated to serving the citizens of Oakland. Start an exciting career and become a 9-1-1 Dispatcher!Police Communications Dispatchers receive approximately one year of on-the-job training and must attend a POST-certified basic dispatcher course. 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 decisivelycan communicate clearlyis able to read, comprehend and retain informationwill maintain a calm and professional demeanor even under stressful situationshas the ability to adapt to changing situationsis able to multi-taskis highly self-motivatedwill display a high level of integrityThe 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 skillsYou will use your fact-finding abilities to identify needs, make decisions, and address issuesThere are lots of opportunities 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 DataAttention to DetailCustomer FocusDisplaying Ownership and AccountabilityHandling StressLearning AgilityOral CommunicationProfessional Integrity & EthicsProfessional & Technical ExpertiseProfessional ImpactUsing TechnologyTeamworkWritingThis recruitment is open to all qualified candidates. If you are a current, SEIU-represented, permanent employee of the City and Port of Oakland you may apply at: Police Communications Dispatcher - RESTRICTED (Continuous). If you possess 3 years of experience as a Police Dispatcher, you may be eligible to apply as a Lateral applicant; you may apply at: Police Communications Dispatcher - LATERAL (Continuous).Minimum 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 school. Experience: Two years of recent full-time equivalent of responsible work experience. College education may substitute for experience on a year for year basis. Typing: minimum typing speed of 35 words per minute (wpm). Other Requirements:Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.Must pass a thorough background investigation.Must pass the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course within one year of appointment as a condition of continued employment.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 City of Oakland's CritiCall 3D Performance Assessment (weighted 100%).The CritiCall 3D assessment will also include a confirmatory typing assessment. Candidates must participate in the City of Oakland's CritiCall 3D Performance assessment. Candidates must achieve passing scores in each section in order to advance in the recruitment process. Please note the required minimum passing score per module may not be the same as required by The Academy – each agency sets their own requirements. Candidates are only permitted to participate in the City of Oakland's CritiCall 3D Performance assessment once every 3 months.