Public Safety Dispatcher I

The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Public Safety Dispatcher I in the Police Department! In this trainee role, you will have the opportunity to learn to receive 911 system emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatch assignments according to police and fire procedures, operate various dispatch center equipment, and maintain accurate records.

You will use a variety of public safety telephone and radio communications to obtain essential information from reporting parties, respond to inquiries, and determine and dispatch appropriate police and/or fire resources. You will also learn how to use various government agency databases and the Computer Aided Dispatch system.

Public Safety Dispatcher I incumbents are expected to gain knowledge and experience through on-the-job training and demonstrate proficiency to promote to Public Safety Dispatcher II upon successful completion of the Public Safety Dispatcher Training Program.

See the full job class specification here: governmentjobs.com/careers/berkeley/classspecs/104983

Public Safety Dispatcher Flyer

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:

Equivalent to graduation from high school.

Other requirements include:

• Possession of a typing certificate verifying the ability to accurately type a minimum of 35 net words per minute. Certification may be from an online typing test, a recognized business school, or an employment/temporary agency, and must be dated no more than twelve months prior to the date of application. Candidates may be required to take an on-site typing test as part of the selection process.

• Must be able to pass a medical and psychiatric evaluation.

• Must be willing to work evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts.

• Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, the incumbent is required to maintain a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record.

Applicants must submit:

• Completed application (Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.)

• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire

• Typing Certificate: Minimum of 35 net words per minute. The certificate must be from one of the following:

• Online typing test

• Recognized business school

• Employment/temporary agency

The typing certificate must be dated no more than twelve months prior to the date of application.

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ada@berkeleyca.gov. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents

• Written Exam: POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Test

Upcoming City of Berkeley exam dates:

• Saturday, October 19, 2024 (Applications due September 23, 2024)
• Saturday, December 14, 2024 (Applications due November 18, 2024)

Applicants who have previously taken the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Test may waive the written exam only by submitting a T-score of 48 points or higher provided the test was taken no more than one year prior to the date of application. Applicants must submit their results, including the total T-score and date of the test, on the testing agency's letterhead.

If you have previously taken the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Test and would like to retest with the City of Berkeley, you must wait 30 calendar days before being eligible to take the test again.

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.

Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to hr@berkeleyca.gov at the time of application.