CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT
for
EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER

If you want to join a hard-working team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido.  We have an opening for the position of Experienced Public Safety Dispatcher in our Police Department.

Key responsibilities include:

• Answering 911 Police and Fire emergency and non-emergency telephone lines.
• Dispatching Police and Fire personnel and equipment according to standard operational procedures.
• Maintaining, receiving, and recording pertinent information from two-way radio communications with Police and Fire emergency field units.
• Monitoring radio receiver with several frequencies and multiple lines for all communications.
• Using computer terminals to access various law enforcement systems, including ARJIS, CLETS, SUN, and NCIC.

The ideal candidate for this position will:

• Remain calm under pressure, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Have the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is highly desirable.

Minimum requirements:

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• One year of experience comparable to a Public Safety Dispatcher within the past three years and possess a California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher certification or completion of a P.O.S.T. certified Basic Dispatcher's Course (120 hours).
• Provide a certificate issued within the past six months, certifying ability to type/keyboard at a rate of 40 net words per minute; certificate must be submitted to the Human Resources Office with employment application.  Internet typing certificates will not be accepted.
• Must be willing to work any of three shifts on a rotating basis, including weekends and holidays.
• Prior experience using a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system is highly desirable.
• Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license.

NOTE: 1)  The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace.  A medical examination, along with a DRUG SCREEN will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment.  Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.  2)  An extensive background investigation, including a polygraph and psychological testing, will be conducted prior to hiring.

Effective October 4, 2009, per the Escondido Police Officers' Association Non-Sworn Bargaining Unit's Memorandum of Understanding, Dispatch personnel received a 3.75% reduction in pay per pay period.

Salary Range: $4,035 - $4,904 per month (monthly salary does not reflect the above mentioned reduction in pay), plus an outstanding benefits package.  Benefits may vary by bargaining unit, but all regular employees receive the following generous benefit package.

• Paid vacation, sick leave, holidays and 3% @ 60 CalPERS retirement.
• A comprehensive health, life, and dental insurance package.
• Bilingual employees, with Department Head approval, receive extra pay.

FULLY COMPLETED CITY APPLICATION REQUIRED
Human Resources Department
201 North Broadway, Escondido, CA  92025
Telephone (760) 839-4643
FAXED Applications and Postmarks Will Not Be Accepted

NOTE: ESCONDIDO CITY HALL HOURS ARE 7:30 A.M. TO 5:30 P.M., MONDAY–THURSDAY.
CITY HALL IS CLOSED FRIDAYS.

APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS AND WILL BE SCREENED AS SUBMITTED. INTERVIEWS WILL BE SCHEDULED UPON RECEIPT OF A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS.

December 2009

Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process.

When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list. Qualification by a medical examination may be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment.

Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request For Reasonable Accommodation form.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgement which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City’s receipt.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

Eligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria:

• Served in the U.S. armed forces
• Received an honorable discharge
• Did not retire from military service
• Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.

Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes does not qualify for veterans’ preference. Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed. Veterans’ preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination.

ABOUT OUR CITY

The City of Escondido is a progressive and prominent agricultural, commercial and residential center of North San Diego County. Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living.

Escondido is a general-law city with a Council/Manager form of government. The "Hidden Valley" covers a 36 square mile area, and our 140,000 residents enjoy a full range of services provided by over 800 City employees, including police and fire protection. We are proud of our rich agricultural heritage and the cultural diversity of our present-day community, and invite you to share our bright future.

EOE The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.