CAREERS
Communications Dispatcher II
The City of Richmond is looking for Communications Dispatcher II candidates who are passionate about helping others; great communicators both orally and in writing; capable of establishing and maintaining positive and cooperative working relationships; comfortable and confident in making decisions when faced with limited information; and able to exercise authority and take control in emergency situations.
The Communications Dispatcher II receives emergency and non-emergency calls from the public, including cellular telephone users, requesting services; dispatches emergency police, fire, and other public safety units in a coordinated manner; operates various communications equipment; functions as a lead worker; provides training; and performs other related work as required.
Shift work and working on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are normal working conditions for this job. A 5% salary differential is paid for the 4:00 p.m. to Midnight shift, and a 7.5% salary differential is paid for the Midnight to 8:00 a.m. shift.
Communications Dispatcher II’s are required to wear a uniform and receive a $600 annual uniform allowance.
Communications Dispatcher II – Annual salary for this position is $101,460 at the top of the range, with approved Cost of Living Adjustments in 2024 (4%) and 2025 (4%). Additionally, City-paid benefits may include medical, dental, vision, paid vacation, holidays, administrative leave days, sick time, CalPERS retirement contribution, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, annual professional development reimbursement, one week of paid parental leave, and more! All benefits information can be found here.
Position Description and Duties
- Receives emergency and non-emergency calls, complaints, and inquiries from the public.
- Evaluates information to determine jurisdiction, priority, staff availability and equipment needed.
- Dispatches police, fire, and other public safety units, in accordance with established procedures, and based on the nature of the call, staff availability, assigned geographical area and location of the call.
- Provides responding units with pertinent information such as suspect information; warrant, probation and parole information; vehicle registration status; license status; premise and subject history; and location of Knox boxes and hideaway keys.
- Operates a variety of communication equipment including radio transmitters and receivers, computerized communications terminals and keyboards, multi-line telephone equipment, and City-wide camera monitoring equipment.
- Retrieves information in response to requests from police and fire units, and monitors and maintains status and location of units.
- Provides callers with established instructions for emergency medical situations.
- Provides training to Communications Dispatcher I’s and Call Takers; reviews work for accuracy and compliance with standards.
- Handles more complex situations that demand a higher level of knowledge and skills.
- In the absence of a Communications Shift Supervisor, may be required to perform some of the duties of a Communications Shift Supervisor; may be required to act (in accordance with the Personnel Rules) as Communications Shift Supervisor.
- Prepares records and logs.
- Provides information to the public by telephone; advises them on what agency to contact for services not provided by the City.
- Contacts other agencies to coordinate public safety and mutual aid operations.
Minimum Qualifications
General Knowledge of: Main streets, major buildings, and geographical areas of the cities of Richmond, San Pablo (including Contra Costa College), El Cerrito and Kensington. Principles and processes for providing customer service. Knowledge of communication devices and equipment.
Ability to: Accurately dispatch public safety equipment in a coordinated manner; verbally communicate, obtain, retain and analyze information from distraught or incoherent callers regarding their needs; interpret written instructions, policies, rules and other materials used in performing dispatching duties; quickly sort and prioritize information regarding multiple incidents; relay messages exactly as received; operate computerized communications terminals; use good judgment as to when to act independently and when to refer situations to a supervisor; speak clearly and concisely in English; react quickly, accurately, and calmly in handling emergency calls for assistance; prepare records and reports and maintain files; work independently; solve problems and explain work instructions to Communications Dispatcher I’s and Call Takers; and follow written and oral directions.
Ability to: Accurately dispatch public safety equipment in a coordinated manner; verbally communicate, obtain, retain and analyze information from distraught or incoherent callers regarding their needs; interpret written instructions, policies, rules and other materials used in performing dispatching duties; quickly sort and prioritize information regarding multiple incidents; relay messages exactly as received; operate computerized communications terminals; use good judgment as to when to act independently and when to refer situations to a supervisor; speak clearly and concisely in English; react quickly, accurately, and calmly in handling emergency calls for assistance; prepare records and reports and maintain files; work independently; solve problems and explain work instructions to Communications Dispatcher I’s and Call Takers; and follow written and oral directions.
Experience/Training:
Eighteen months (18) of full-time experience performing public safety dispatch duties, the ability to type a minimum of 30 words per minute, and the qualifications listed below.
Certification:
Successful completion of a POST-certified 120-hour Public Safety Complaint/Dispatchers’ Basic course and/or possession of a certificate for the POST Equivalency Examination. Candidates must submit proof along with their application.
Typing Certificate:
Eighteen months (18) of full-time experience performing public safety dispatch duties, the ability to type a minimum of 30 words per minute, and the qualifications listed below.
Certification:
Successful completion of a POST-certified 120-hour Public Safety Complaint/Dispatchers’ Basic course and/or possession of a certificate for the POST Equivalency Examination. Candidates must submit proof along with their application.
Typing Certificate:
Each applicant must submit, with their application, a typing certificate. The certificate must specify qualification on a computer of at least 30 net w.p.m., with no more than 15 errors. Only certificates from a public agency, school/training center or employment agency (issued within six (6) months of application) will be accepted. Each certificate must include the following: name of the school, agency or institution conducting the testing; the equipment used; the gross and net number of words, and the number of errors; the signature of the individual responsible for the testing; and the testing date.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:
The City’s policy is that all persons hired on or after October 18, 2021, must be fully vaccinated, including the booster, for COVID-19. New employees will be required to provide proof of complete vaccination or have an approved medical or religious accommodation before employment may commence. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact Human Resources.
Additional Requirements:
- No felony convictions
- No use of the following drugs within the past five (5) years: Cocaine, Hallucinogens, LSD, Heroin, Methamphetamine, MDMA (Ecstasy), Psilocybin (Mushrooms).
- No use of the following drug within the past two (2) years: Marijuana (Cannabis)
- Successful candidates must pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, credit check, and a check of drug use history.
- Must be able to qualify to use protective respirator equipment based on passing a specialized physical examination by the hire date, and maintain certification.
Additional Information
Application and Selection
To be considered for this position, all applicants must:
Submit a completed online City of Richmond Employment Application and answers to supplemental questionnaire by visiting the City of Richmond’s employment page at www.ci.richmond.ca.us. Please fill out the Employment Application completely (including places of employment with complete addresses; i.e., number and street name, city and state, names of supervisors with telephone numbers, etc.).
AND attach the required document(s) based on one of the two options below. You may attach documentation for both options, but you must fulfill the requirements of at least one of the options.
Application Appraisal: The examination process for this position will consist of an application appraisal. All completed applications will be evaluated based on job-related qualifications criteria, which could include desirable qualifications and the specific needs of the hiring department. An employment list will be established, and your placement on this list will be determined solely (100%) by the information provided on the employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Having all of the minimum qualifications guarantees neither advancement nor placement on the Employment List.
Employment List: A ranking of “A” (Best Qualified), “B” (Well Qualified), or “C” (Qualified) is required to achieve a position on the Employment List. The Employment List is valid for four (4) months unless extended an additional four (4) months, for a total of eight (8) months.