Career Opportunity – Fire Dispatcher – CA

We are currently accepting applications to fill vacancies in Santa Barbara for the Sheriff’s Office.

Position includes uniform allowance; plus shift allowance when applicable.

Disqualifiers:
• A felony conviction in California, or with a conviction for an offense in another state which would be classified as a felony in California;
• Currently on Probation;
• Misdemeanor convictions may be disqualifying depending on type, number, severity, and recency;
• Conviction of/or sustained petitions for any sex crime;
• Recent drug use. Failure to reveal prior use will be disqualifying;
• Unfavorable work history;
• History of domestic violence.

The Ideal Candidate will possess:
• Ability to communicate effectively by listening and/or speaking while on the keyboard in potentially high stress intervals;
• Reputation for honesty and trustworthiness;
• Good moral character;
• Credibility;
• Integrity;
• Dependability;
• Good judgment under pressure.

WHAT WE OFFER
A Public Safety Dispatcher career to take pride in
Comprehensive paid training program
Competitive salary
Civilian career path: Dispatcher I/II/Supervisor
Culture that embraces and values diversity
State-of-the-art communications facility

WHAT YOU OFFER
Commitment to public service
Desire to make a meaningful contribution to your community
Self motivated and ability to work as a team member

Commitment to Public Service

Communication dispatchers play a vital role in the delivery of law enforcement services, functioning as a nexus between the community, law enforcement and allied agencies, and public safety field personnel.  Their role is largely one of information processing – obtaining, evaluating, and disseminating information regarding crimes, emergencies, and requests for public safety services – information that is often critical to the safety of both the public and law enforcement personnel.  The conditions under which this role is carried out are often quite demanding with respect to both cognitive and non-cognitive skills and qualities.

Memorization:  Remembering the details of a recent incident or related incidents; remembering procedures for handling various types of complaints and incidents, as well as for operating communications equipment and systems; remembering various codes and abbreviations (e.g. radio, legal); and remembering geographical boundaries and significant common locations.

Speed of closure:  Evaluating initial information and quickly determining whether an incident is an emergency; receiving multiple radio transmissions in rapid succession and determining that they pertain to the same incident; and taking several calls reporting different parts of the same incident and quickly combining the information to gain an overall picture of what happened.

Perceptual Speed:  Quickly comparing and verifying names, locations and descriptions received by radio, telephone, or in written form (e.g. checking a detainee’s description against a wanted list or date base inquiry); and quickly comparing incident information to determine if different calls are related.

Selective Attention:  Taking calls and dispatching field personnel from within a noisy, distracting work environment (e.g. taking a complaint from a citizen while other phone lines are ringing, other dispatchers are receiving emergency calls, teletype messages are printing, or dispatching field personnel to an incident while other unrelated personnel are transmitting on the same frequency.)

Multi-tasking:  Handling multiple calls for assistance at the same time; taking a complaint while monitoring radio traffic, teletypes; coordinating the response of multiple field units to an incident or several ongoing incidents; monitoring multiple radio channels at the same time; and tracking the status of field personnel while performing other duties (e.g. taking complaints or dispatching).

Using Resources & Equipment:  Uses appropriate automated data bases (e.g. vehicle, criminal history, drivers license, wants and warrants, stolen property, gun, and various specialized data bases) and reference material (codes, wanted lists, directories, manuals, etc.) to obtain or accurately update information.  Uses telephone system and related equipment, radio broadcasting equipment, and/or computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system properly when receiving and dispatching calls for service.
Comprehensive Training Program
If you pass all of the exams listed in the section titled “Selection Process,” and you are hired, you will be placed on probation for a period of one year to determine your ability to satisfactorily perform the required job duties. 
Training can last anywhere from 8 months to 11 months, depending on many factors including the rate at which the new employee learns and retains information.  Classroom instruction, practical application in the form of on-the-job-training, field trips, projects, tests, and self-study methods are all used in order to facilitate the new employee’s learning process.  Throughout the Training Program, both the Dispatch Training Officer and the Trainee are expected to maintain a daily log of activities documenting concepts presented successes and achievements for each day, and areas in need of improvement.  Additionally, the Trainee is required to write a weekly self-assessment summary using a detailed form.  During the probationary period, the new employee will also receive quarterly evaluations as required by the Department and the County. 

The Training Program is divided into phases, including Orientation, Calltaking/Phones, Sheriff Support Frequency, Sheriff Primary Frequency, Polishing, and Shadowing.  Each of these phases has a varying amount of time allotted, which is necessary due to the aforementioned factors.  Some phases may be taught concurrently, such as Calltaking/Phones and Sheriff Support Frequency.

 As each phase is satisfactorily completed by the new employee, he or she is signed off for that discipline. If a Trainee fails to meet the required elements for any particular phase based on the Program Expectations for that phase, the employee may be terminated.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The Dispatch Center is a countywide answering point for the 9-1-1 emergency telephone system. Public safety agencies that directly use the Dispatch Center are the County Sheriff’s Office, the County Fire Department, the County Contract ambulance company, local cities, and federal agencies. The Dispatch Center is a 24-hour / 365 day facility and is administered by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.

Each day, the Dispatch Center receives approximately 135 calls for service on the 9-1-1 emergency system.  In addition to 9-1-1 calls, the center answers approximately 780 calls each day on many other emergency lines.  This adds up to more than 284,000 calls per year.
The Dispatch Center is staffed by 24 Dispatchers, 6 Dispatch Supervisors, a civilian Operations Manager and a Sheriff’s Commander. As a new dispatcher, you will have the opportunity to take advantage of this wealth of knowledge and expertise.

1. Receives non-emergency and emergency requests (including 911 calls) for sheriff/fire protection, medical, or emergency services; and obtains relevant information and inputs data, evaluates and prioritizes calls for service and dispatches appropriate personnel and equipment.  
2. Using a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system, monitors and updates fire, ambulance, and sheriff unit location and status in order to coordinate emergency field operations; provides backup support and information as necessary by operating a two-way radio; requests additional assistance from other agencies as necessary; and obtains computerized law enforcement information from local, state, and federal data banks through a telecommunications terminal.  
3. Types reference cards, logs, reports, procedure manuals, and other documents; maintains files and reference manuals; and performs other clerical duties.
4. Provides Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) to callers, asking standardized questions that will prioritize response of paramedics based on the patient’s symptoms and condition.  When necessary, will provide pre-arrival medical instructions such as CPR, assistance with child birth, Heimlich maneuver for choking victims, and other first aid care (prior to the arrival of paramedics).  Callers may be hysterical, uncooperative, demanding and/or unwilling to follow your instructions.   A percentage of all EMD calls are reviewed regularly for quality improvement
5. Graduation from high school or equivalent and one year of experience in the operation of a telephone switchboard or communications equipment OR one year of general office work involving extensive public contact in person or over the phone; or,  
6. a combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Ability to: retain and relay information received under stressful conditions; speak over the phone and radio clearly and in a professional manner; hear, understand and speak the English language; respond to calls quickly and calmly and make sound decisions under pressure; communicate with people of diverse social and cultural backgrounds; follow written and oral instructions; establish and maintain working relationships with other agencies; operate computer and typewriter keyboards; read maps and give directions; keep detailed records; learn Federal, State, and local laws, terminology, and jurisdictional boundaries, and available types of emergency services.

Additional Requirements: Incumbents must be able to type 35 wpm; and successfully complete the Post-Certified Basic Complaint/Dispatcher course within 12 months of hire.

1. Review Application and Supplemental Questionnaire: To determine those candidates who meet the employment standards.
2. Review of Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ): Applicants will be emailed a notice to complete a Personal History Questionnaire, along with instructions and a link to the PHQ form. Deadline to complete the PHQ is 1/17/13; 5:00pm.
3. 3.    Computerized Competency Assessment. Those applicants who are not disqualified by their PHQ will be notified by email with instructions on obtaining and taking the Computerized Competency Assessment.  Applicants will advance to the next step, upon completion of the Computerized Competency Assessment. Deadline to complete the assessment is 1/25/13; 5:00p.m.
4. CritiCall Computerized Exam: CritiCall Exam during the week of 2/11/13. CritiCall is a computerized software testing program that tests job-related skills and multi-tasking abilities required in the complex dispatching environment. This exam must be taken in person at the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center in Santa Barbara.
5. 5.    Oral Examination: Upon passing the CritiCall Exam, applicants will be invited to take an Oral Exam during the week of 2/25/13.  Oral Exams will be conducted at the Sheriff’s Headquarters in Santa Barbara.

Applicants must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the oral examinations to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of six months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

Appointee Must Successfully Complete the following: 
POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION will measure the accuracy of information given during the background investigation process and is part of the background investigation.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION includes an interview and a thorough check of police records, personal, military, and employment histories, and inquiry of persons who know you and evaluate whether you: respect the law and rights of others; are dependable and responsible; have demonstrated mature judgment in areas such as the use of drugs and intoxicants; and are honest. The background investigation can take up to three to four months to complete. 

Psychological and Physical Examination: If you pass the background investigation and are offered a job and accept it, you will undergo a psychological evaluation and physical examination. You must pass both of these examinations before you can be hired.

Applicants are encouraged to provide their e-mail address on their application to enable the Human Resources Department to communicate more quickly with them via e-mail regarding the status of their application and the recruitment process. The County of Santa Barbara will not release any applicant’s e-mail address to a third party.

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, please visit our website.
http://www.countyofsb.org/hr/CompSumm.aspx?id=11038

The County of Santa Barbara respects and values a diverse workforce and strongly promotes strategies and activities to recruit, develop and retain qualified men and women of varied backgrounds, lifestyles, experiences and races.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 1/10/13, 5:00 pm; postmarks not accepted.  Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at http://www.sbcountyjobs.com.  In Santa Barbara, applications and job bulletins may be obtained at the Human Resources Department, 1226 Anacapa Street, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m..  In Santa Maria, applications and job bulletins can be obtained on-line only at the Workforce Resource Center located at 1410 S. Broadway, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Job Seekers may use county computers at the Workforce Resource Centers to submit an application online or to complete online assessments at the following locations:

Workforce Resource Center in Santa Maria
1410 South Broadway  Santa Maria, CA  (805) 614-1550
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm  Monday through Friday

Workforce Resource Center in Santa Barbara

130 East Ortega Blvd  Santa Barbara, CA  (805) 568-1296

Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm  Monday through Friday
Sheriff’s Human Resources