Rev. 7/97

City of San José

SENIOR PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER (FT) (8513)
SENIOR PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER (PT) (8533)

CLASS PURPOSE
   Under direction, performs work of moderate difficulty in supervising employees engaged in providing dispatching operations on an assigned shift, or working in an assigned specialty such as intelligence, CAPSS management, or system control. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESULTS (Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed.)

• Supervises and inspects the work of public safety dispatchers in a segment of an assigned shift to insure that approved operational procedures are followed.
• Assists dispatchers with problems as they arise.
• Coordinates multiple emergency situations and major incidents.
• Prepares reports and records of shift activities.
• May train new employees and instruct dispatchers in functional dispatching areas; provides computer-aided dispatch telecommunications, intelligence information, graphics, and file updates.
• Calls back communications and other maintenance personnel for emergency repair of facilities and equipment.
• Determines priorities on simultaneous emergency calls.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
   This class operates in a supervisory capacity over a segment of the dispatching operation on a shift or in a specialized assignment. This class differs from Supervising Public Safety Dispatcher in that incumbents of that class supervise the dispatching functions of an entire police communications shift, staff, staff assignment in the fire department, or a specialized support services function.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of emergency telephone answering and public safety dispatching policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the techniques, procedures, policies, and methods used in the operation of the City's dispatch center.
• Knowledge of primary roads, streets, highways, areas, major buildings, and public facilities within the City's boundaries.
• Ability to effectively operate the computer-aided dispatch telecommunications system, video display terminals, radio dispatching consoles, and associated equipment.
• Ability to read, write, and spell in clear and concise English.
• Ability to deal tactfully with the public and others.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to prepare reports and keep records.
• Ability to supervise personnel in emergency telephone answering and two-way radio dispatching.

Competency Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.
• Knowledge of various radio systems, their configurations, equipment, and locations.
• Ability to maintain and update dispatch resource files including the Master Street Address File.
• Ability to supervise and evaluate the work of subordinates.
• Ability to instruct new and subordinate employees in all phases of emergency telephone answering and dispatching, and to orient police, fire, and other City employees on proper operating procedures.
• Ability to interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to others.
• Completion of the San Jose Communications Supervision Course.

Education
   Graduation from high school or equivalent (General Education Development (GED) Test or California Proficiency Certificate).

Experience
   Three years of experience equivalent to a Public Safety Dispatcher II with the City of San Jose.

Acceptable Substitutions
   None.

Licenses/Certificates
   Possession of valid driver's license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in the State of California.

(Formerly Communications Dispatcher III)
(Formerly Senior Communications Dispatcher)
(5/85), (Rev. & Ret. 12/86), (Rev. & Ret. 8/88), (Rev. 4/89), (Rev. 7/97)
8513s002.doc