Public Safety Dispatcher
 
UCI Series Concepts

Class Specifications  -  B.15
Public Safety Dispatcher–Supervisor(5218)
Lead Public Safety Dispatcher(5217)
Public Safety Dispatcher(5216)
Lead Public Safety Dispatcher Assistant(5215)

January 1991
 
SERIES CONCEPT

Public Safety Dispatchers, working in campus safety communications centers,
receive calls for assistance and information; dispatch police, emergency
medical aid and fire response; provide related automated data search and
entry; monitor various alarm systems; and track and document field unit
activities and locations.

Public Safety Dispatchers typically answer telephones, respond to analog and
digital alarms, operate a variety of two-way, multi-frequency radio equipment
to dispatch and communicate with police officers, emergency medical personnel,
fire fighters, hazardous material response teams, parking enforcement officers,
community service officers, and civilian department employees.  Dispatchers
are responsible for assessing the nature and priority of calls for assistance,
determining and assigning the appropriate resources, tracking and documenting
the resulting response and disposition on both hard copy and computerized
media.  Dispatchers research and report automated and hard copy records
relating to public safety operations, input and update local, state and Federal
criminal records, maintain security of confidential records, purge and destroy
confidential records in accordance with law, compile and maintain resource
files, develop, apply and update training manuals and records and train and
evaluate staff members.

CLASS CONCEPTS

Public Safety Dispatcher–Supervisor

Under direction, incumbents direct and supervise the activities of dispatchers
and perform the more difficult dispatch tasks and duties as required; develop,
implement, and audit special procedures and protocols; and plan, organize,
direct, and evaluate the staff and operations of a communication center.

Incumbents typically have responsibility for a shift; assign, monitor, and
check the work of dispatchers; train, direct, and audit dispatchers in the
performance of their duties; develop and maintain records; prepare reports on communications center activities; interface with sworn supervision to resolve
specific problems and accomplish goals; evaluate current and propose new
procedures to enhance the performance of the operation; evaluate the
performance of dispatchers and recommend disciplinary or commendatory action;
compile training and operational manuals; assist in the coordination and
operation of special law enforcement events; address and resolve citizen
complaints; compose correspondence; identify and coordinate the need for
communications equipment repairs.  Incumbents may supervise one shift of
several dispatchers or multiple shifts with one or two dispatchers.

Lead Public Safety Dispatcher

Under direction, incumbents act in a lead capacity to direct the activities of
dispatchers and to perform the more difficult dispatch tasks and duties as
required; develop, implement, and audit special procedures and protocols.  
Incumbents may have responsibility for coordinating a shift; assign, monitor,
and check the work of dispatchers; train, direct, and audit dispatchers in the
performance of their duties; develop and maintain records; prepare reports on communications center activities; interface with sworn supervision to resolve
specific problems and accomplish goals; review current and propose new
procedures to enhance the performance of the operation; record information on
the performance of dispatchers and recommend disciplinary or commendatory
action; compile training and operational manuals; assist in the coordination
and operation of special law enforcement events; address and resolve citizen
complaints; compose correspondence; identify and coordinate the need for
communications equipment repairs.  Incumbents may supervise one shift of
several dispatchers or multiple shifts with one or two dispatchers.

Public Safety Dispatcher

Under general supervision, incumbents receive and relay calls for assistance
via telephone, radio, and computer terminal; answer and/or redirect calls for
information; establish priority and dispatch emergency calls; monitor,
acknowledge, and input computerized alarm data; monitor and respond to video
display activity; track and document all related activities; access, report,
and update automated criminal records; receive, dispatch, and maintain hard
copy records; research and compose reports and communications equipment as
required. Incumbents may also handle direct citizen requests and staff mobile
and remote communications command posts during special events and emergencies.

Assistant Public Safety Dispatcher

Under general supervision, incumbents perform the majority of the duties of
the Public Safety Dispatcher position in a trainee capacity.  Receipt,
handling, and disposition of calls is monitored by incumbent, and all
record keeping is audited by supervisors.  Incumbents perform telephone operation/assistance and other office duties as assigned. Incumbents are
expected to progress to the level of Public Safety Dispatcher after successful
completion of Peace Officers Standards Training POST)and on-the-job training.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants for positions in the Public Safety Dispatcher series are expected
to possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful
performance of the duties assigned to the position.  Minimum qualifications
for Public Safety Dispatcher include satisfactory completion of a POST-
certified, 80-hour Basic Complaint/Dispatcher course within 12 months of the
date of hire; undergo a thorough background investigation; an evaluation of
oral communication skills; the completion of 12 months' probation; and the
completion of a medical examination.