Final Filing Date

No later than 5:00 p.m. Friday, June 27, 2008.

To obtain an Application you may download one from web site (see upper right box titled, "Required Forms"), visit the Personnel Department during regular office hours or submit a request either by e-mail (jobs@placer.ca.gov) or voicemail on the job line (530) 889-4070 - please include your name, address and job title.

Description

Receive and transmit routine and emergency requests for law enforcement, fire, ambulance and/or emergency assistance and equipment in a coordinated and calm manner; monitor public safety frequencies; and operate complex teletype and video terminals for automated information retrieval.

This is the entry level class in the Public Safety Dispatcher series. This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Minimum Qualifications

It is the applicant’s responsibility to identify in their application materials how they meet the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS listed below.

Experience: Two years of varied clerical experience that establishes a working knowledge of office methods and equipment, including word processing and other computer software. Experience within a law enforcement setting is desirable.

Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

License or Certificate: Must have satisfactorily completed the P.O.S.T. certified Basic Complaint/Dispatcher course within 12 months of the date of appointment to this class. Must satisfactorily complete the P.O.S.T. certified Emergency Medical Dispatch course within 12 months of the date of appointment to this class. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid CPR certificate by the completion of the probationary period. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid driver’s license. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Note: Specific job classification duties are available on-line at: classandcomp.com or upon request by calling (530) 889-4060.

Special Requirements

Prior to appointment as a Public Safety Dispatcher, candidates offered employment must complete a background investigation, which may include a CVSA, psych, and pre-employment medical examination. Applicants will need to submit a typing certificate indicating the ability to type accurately prior to appointment. Those not providing a typing certificate may have to take a typing test in the hiring interview.

Examination Process

WRITTEN – 100%
The written examination may include multiple choice, true/false, fill-in, matching, and/or essay type questions directly related to the required knowledge and abilities for this classification.

NOTE: Applicants who have taken the State of California P.O.S.T Entry Level Dispatcher exam within the past six months who would like their t-scores used in lieu appearing for the written may do so by completing the attached supplemental questionnaire. You will be required to complete an Advance Score Forward form and attach verification from P.O.S.T. of your t-score.

Examination Date Information

Please note these test dates are for both Roseville and Tahoe testing locations. If your application materials indicate a Tahoe address, you will be invited to test at the Tahoe location. If you wish to change your testing location, please contact the Personnel Department at (530) 889-4060. Tentative test dates are as follows:

Exam Date:
· Thursday March 20, 2008
· Thursday, July 24, 2008

Scheduling Deadline:
·5:00 p.m. Friday, Feb 29, 2008
·5:00 p.m. Friday, June 27, 2008

You will be notified by mail of the confirmed date and location prior to the scheduled examination of your scheduled appointment time. Please notify the Personnel Department of any address change for all applications submitted.

Knowledge of

Basic functions of police, fire, and other public safety agencies. Correct English usage and grammar.

Ability to

Learn to operate radio and 911 telephone equipment in dispatching public safety equipment and personnel. Learn to analyze a situation and determine an effective course of action; learn to adjust quickly to changing situations; learn to perform several tasks at once and assign reasonable priorities to incoming calls; learn to monitor multiple frequencies. Learn the geography of the County and location of streets and important buildings. Learn established rules and procedures. Learn to listen carefully and attentively and remember names, locations and numbers; learn to record pertinent data associated with C.A.D. events and logs. Learn to speak clearly and concisely in an understandable voice via radio and telephone and in person. Understand and carry out oral and written directives. Perform job tasks effectively under pressure for sustained periods of time. Memorize and retain information from a variety of sources. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Type accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance. Work under stress and exercise good judgment in emergency situations. Develop and maintain an efficient, calm demeanor in handling adverse or stressful situations. Read maps quickly and accurately. Work irregular hours and shift work, including holidays, nights and weekends. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Sit at workstation for long periods of time on a continuous basis. Intermittently, twist and reach office equipment, or to obtain materials from printer or other locations within the dispatch center; write or use keyboard to communicate through written means; verbally give instructions to officers in the field; possess auditory requirements in order to differentiate sounds over the radio; lift light weight. Continuously analyze information received from a variety of sources; identify different voices and sounds on the radio and telephone; interpret radio codes correctly and translate information to the public; know various locations and addresses; observe computer screen for messages; receive information from the public and assist in problem solving their particular dilemma; remember, understand, interpret and apply Department policies for different types of calls; explain to the public how their concern will be handled.

Condition of Employment

Before date of hire, applicant must pass a medical examination which includes drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation, sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. Citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. Applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background check, be bonded, and/or be fingerprinted.

Modified Agency Shop

All new permanent employees, with the exception of law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

Benefit Package

Placer County values its employees and offers permanent employees an excellent benefit package including generous contributions to the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS); health, dental, vision, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance programs; 13 paid holidays, 12 paid sick days and vacation accrual starting at 10 days per year. Employees also have access to an employee assistance program, 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans. Additional compensation incentives, including supplemental compensation and administrative leave, are also available for certain management classifications.

Substitute Lists

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Employees of Other Public Agencies

Placer County now offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List and to download forms, please visit our website at: http://www.placer.ca.gov/personnel/pael.aspx.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active, nondiscrimination program. It is stated in the policy of Placer County that harassment is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring placement, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualification of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer), age (over 40), or marital status. Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.