City of Long Beach
Employment Opportunity
COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER
Job Number: J45AN-06
Salary Range - $1,296.08 - $2,201.92 Biweekly; $2,808.17 - $4,770.83 Monthly
FILING DEADLINE: 4:30 P.M. SEPTEMBER 09, 2005 AT CITY OF LONG BEACH CITY HALL, 333 WEST OCEAN BLVD., 7TH FLOOR OR BY MAIL TO THE CIVIL SERVICE DEPARTMENT. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER 4:30 PM SEPTEMBER 09, 2005. POSTMARKS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

DESCRIPTION: The City of Long Beach Communication Centers are staffed by approximately 75 employees divided among various shifts. A dispatcher taking calls must remain calm whether the incoming call is a major emergency or a low-priority call. Dispatchers take the brunt of anger when a caller is upset about a loud noise or a resident is victimized by a burglar. In addition, one dispatcher may be asked to handle up to 90 safety units at once using a CAD (computer-aided dispatch) system while remembering with accuracy the data received from each unit and providing medical instructions. Stress accounts for the high turnover rate. Therefore, the City of Long Beach is actively recruiting candidates who are willing and able to work in the environment described. FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER PREPARATION WORKSHOPS, PLEASE REVIEW THE FLYER.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: Under general supervision, receives and dispatches emergency calls for police or fire and emergency medical service; types data into personal computer while questioning callers for information; determines nature, validity and disposition of calls; may provide post dispatch medical instructions; utilizes computer generated messages and priorities to dispatch field units to emergency situations; operates a variety of communications equipment including radio transmitters, accessories and telephones; performs call reception and dispatch activities utilizing computer-assisted dispatch system; answers or refers inquiries and complaints regarding a wide variety of public safety and related matters; accesses, retrieves, and transmits vehicular or personal information to field units; relays relevant situational information to non-city enforcement or public safety agencies; may provide training for dispatchers and participate in evaluation of their performance; act in a variety of dispatch supervisory positions; performs other related duties as required.

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE:

1. MUST BE WILLING TO WORK: Any shift assignment in either the Police or Fire Departments and work mandatory holidays and weekends and overtime (Communications Dispatchers work a 10-hour shift in the Police Department and a 12-hour shift in the Fire Department).

2. MUST BE ABLE TO: Handle a high volume of emergency calls with tact, good judgment, initiative and speed; question callers while simultaneously typing information into a computer terminal; speak English clearly and understandably; comprehend, interpret and retain written and orally presented information effectively (i.e., read, memorize, interpret and apply policies and procedures, State Penal Code, FCC regulations, charts and maps).

3. Applicants will be required to demonstrate typing skills at 30 wpm.

4. Applicants must be able to pass a thorough background investigation and polygraph examination conducted by the Long Beach Police Department (the investigation will cover information regarding relatives, references, acquaintances, educational background, residential history, employment history, criminal history, military service records, financial status, legal history, drug use and related areas).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Bilingual (English/Spanish or English/Southeast Asian) skills.

Experience or training as an emergency communications operator, dispatcher or similar position requiring knowledge of emergency medical or public safety operations.

Experience dealing with the public in a service related capacity.

First Aid and/or EMT certificate.

Certificate in Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD).

SELECTION PROCEDURE: ·Application and Supplemental Application …………………….........................................Qualifying
·Keyboarding Performance Test (minimum net speed of 30 wpm) …………………..............Qualifying
·Written/Performance Test ……………………………………………………………………......................100%

Scope: covering ability to retain orally presented information and aptitude for dispatching.

Only those candidates demonstrating the strongest backgrounds on the basis of a comparative analysis of the applications and supplemental applications will be invited to participate in the written examination. A minimum rating of 70 must be attained in order to pass the written examination. Only those candidates who successfully pass the written examination will be invited to the typing test. Certification by score bands will be considered based on an analysis of the test results.
This is a continuous examination. Applicants may take this examination only once during a four month period.

If you have not received notification by September 22, 2005, contact the Civil Service Department at (562) 570-6202. This information is available in alternative format by request to (562) 570-6202.

J.O.B. 29-05 J45AN-05 8/10/05
RF (COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER)

J45AN-06

COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER Supplemental Questionnaire
 
* 1. INSTRUCTIONS: The purpose of this supplemental application is to derive more specific information about your qualifications for this position. This form will serve as the basis for qualifying candidates for admittance into the next phase of the examination. Résumés will be accepted, but may NOT be submitted in lieu of the required application and supplemental application, which must be completed by 4:30 P.M., September 9, 2005. THIS QUESTION IS REQUIRED AND MUST BE COMPLETED. LEAVING THIS QUESTION BLANK OR MARKING "NO" WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM THE EXAM PROCESS. Are you willing to work the following shift: Day
Yes   No
 
* 2. THIS QUESTION IS REQUIRED AND MUST BE COMPLETED. LEAVING THIS QUESTION BLANK OR MARKING "NO" WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM THE EXAM PROCESS. Are you willing to work the following shift: Night
Yes   No
 
* 3. THIS QUESTION IS REQUIRED AND MUST BE COMPLETED. LEAVING THIS QUESTION BLANK OR MARKING "NO" WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM THE EXAM PROCESS. Are you willing to work the following shift: Graveyard
Yes   No
 
* 4. THIS QUESTION IS REQUIRED AND MUST BE COMPLETED. LEAVING THIS QUESTION BLANK OR MARKING "NO" WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM THE EXAM PROCESS. Are you willing to work the following shift: Weekends
Yes   No
 
* 5. THIS QUESTION IS REQUIRED AND MUST BE COMPLETED. LEAVING THIS QUESTION BLANK OR MARKING "NO" WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM THE EXAM PROCESS. Are you willing to work the following shift: Holidays
Yes   No
 
* 6. THIS QUESTION IS REQUIRED AND MUST BE COMPLETED. LEAVING THIS QUESTION BLANK OR MARKING "NO" WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM THE EXAM PROCESS. PLEASE NOTE: COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHERS WORKING AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WORK 10-HOUR SHIFTS AND THOSE WORKING AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WORK 12-HOUR SHIFTS. Are you willing to, with the exception of lunch and breaks, remain at a computer communications console for a ten to twelve (10-12) hour shift?
Yes   No
 
* 7. THIS QUESTION IS REQUIRED AND MUST BE COMPLETED. LEAVING THIS QUESTION BLANK OR MARKING "NO" WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM THE EXAM PROCESS. Are you able to work in a stressful environment which requires the ability to operate a computer communications console while rapidly responding to numerous daily calls, keeping track of numerous safety units, and making frequent radio dispatches?
Yes   No
 
* 8. THIS QUESTION IS REQUIRED AND MUST BE COMPLETED. LEAVING THIS QUESTION BLANK OR MARKING "NO" WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM THE EXAM PROCESS. Are you able to respond in a calm manner when answering calls from people who are upset, frightened, or angry?
Yes   No
 
* 9. THIS QUESTION IS REQUIRED AND MUST BE COMPLETED. LEAVING THIS QUESTION BLANK OR MARKING "NO" WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM THE EXAM PROCESS. E. Are you willing to wear a uniform provided by the City?
Yes   No
 
  10. TYPING EXPERIENCE: Briefly describe your typing experience. Be sure to indicate the type of equipment used, the length of experience (i.e., months, years, etc., of employment or instruction) and the end products of your effort (e.g., forms, letters, memos, reports, etc.).




* 11. THIS QUESTION IS REQUIRED AND MUST BE COMPLETED. LEAVING THIS QUESTION BLANK OR MARKING "NO" WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM THE EXAM PROCESS. I certify that my net typing speed is at least 30 words per minute (after adjustments for errors). I am willing to take a performance examination to demonstrate my ability.
Yes   No
 
  12. TELEPHONE EXPERIENCE: Briefly describe your telephone experience. Be sure to indicate the type of equipment used (e.g., single line, multiple line, switchboard, etc.), the length of experience (i.e., months, years, etc.), of employment or instruction, the volume of telephone calls you handled and the type of work performed (e.g., provided information, performed referral duties, etc.).




  13. PUBLIC CONTACT EXPERIENCE: Briefly describe your experience in public contact positions. Be sure to indicate the type of experience (e.g., telephone, reception, group presentations, complaint investigation, etc.), where you obtained the experience (i.e., name of employer or school), the length of experience (i.e., months, years, etc., of employment or instruction) and the volume of public contacts you handled.




  14. SITUATIONAL EXPERIENCE: Briefly describe any experience you have dealing with people in stressful situations (angry customer/client, emergency situation, etc.).




  15. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: List any additional knowledge, skills or abilities, which would qualify you for the position. Be sure to indicate relevant course work (e.g., criminal justice, fire science, communications, etc.) and any knowledge of, or certificates in, emergency medical dispatching and public safety operations.




  16. LANGUAGES: Indicate below any bilingual skills (e.g., English/Spanish, English/Southeast Asian language) you may possess. Write in the name(s) of the language(s) you can speak and understand. Then indicate your level of proficiency (Basic, Conversational, Fluent). This information will not be used to determine whether or not you are accepted for further testing. However, in the event that bilingual skills are required for a particular position, you will be required to demonstrate your proficiency.