PUBLIC SAFETY SHIFT SUPERVISOR

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under direction, supervises, coordinates, and participates in the daily activities of police and fire safety communications services; performs a variety of administrative and technical duties; participates in the work of Public Safety Dispatchers on an assigned shift as needed; performs related duties as assigned.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Supervises, coordinates and participates in the daily activities of the City’s communications center for police and fire activities.
• Schedules, assigns, supervises, and evaluates the work of subordinates on an assigned shift; monitors activity in the Communications Center; participates in the work of Public Safety Dispatchers on an assigned shift as needed.
• Operates all communications equipment including computer terminals to access various law enforcement systems including ARJIS, CLETS, SUN, and NCIC.
• Prepares performance evaluations and counsels employees regarding work performance; recommends disciplinary actions and/or commendations.
• Updates training manuals and develops new training procedures.
• Supervises and conducts or directs initial and ongoing training of Public Safety Dispatch personnel.
• Ensures that Public Safety Dispatchers adhere to department policies and procedures.
• Assists in identifying and correcting operational problems and procedures in order to maintain a high level of service to field operational units.
• Ensures all emergency equipment is in working order and contacts repair personnel as needed.
• Assists in providing tape recordings of phone conversations to courts, investigators, attorneys or others.
• Assists in investigating and resolving complaints from citizens and City personnel regarding Public Safety Dispatchers on assigned shift.
• Assists the public by answering questions and routing requests for service to other City departments and a variety of government or community agencies; dispatches Family Crisis Counselors.
• Attends daily patrol briefing as communication staff representative and serves as liaison to Patrol Supervisors and staff.
• Assists in staffing the Emergency Operating Center when activated.
• Assists in coordinating the mutual and automatic aid agreement for Escondido Fire Department and North Comm. JPA, as directed.
• Performs special projects as requested by administration.
• Conducts research and prepares reports as assigned.
• May perform duties of the Public Safety Communications Manager during absences.
• Provides vacation and temporary relief as needed.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Fire and Police departmental policies and procedures and office practices.
• The principles and practices of supervision and training.
• The principles and practices involved in public safety communication work.
• Federal Communications Commission regulations governing voice, radio, and telephone communications.
• The operation of radio/telephone receiving and transmitting equipment.
• Computer terminal and teletype operations used by local, state, and national law enforcement and/or fire protection agencies.
• The geography of the City and locations of streets and major buildings.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Principles and practices of customer service.

Ability to:

• Schedule, assign, and evaluate the work of subordinates.
• Interpret and apply appropriate Police and Fire laws, regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Analyze situations and adopt the appropriate course of action while working under conditions of emergency and adjust quickly to changing priorities.
• Operate all communications equipment including radio/telephone, computer terminals including ARJIS, CLETS, SUN, and NCIC.
• Develop and administer training programs.
• Read maps rapidly and accurately.
• Maintain accurate records, logs, and files.
• Conduct research and prepare clear, concise written reports.
• Work any of three shifts.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Speak and understand English clearly and distinctly over communications equipment.
• Remain calm under pressure, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates and those contacted in the course of work.
• Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: Graduation from high school or equivalent. College level coursework in emergency service communications, law enforcement, supervision or closely related field is desirable.

Experience: Four years of progressively responsible public safety dispatch experience. Experience in leading or supervising the work of others is desirable.

License and Other Requirements - Must posses a California Police Officer Standard of Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Complaint/Dispatcher Certificate. Incumbents will be required to work a rotating shift schedule including weekends and holidays. Must possess an original typing/keyboarding certificate issued within the last twelve months at a net rate speed of at least 40 words per minute. Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License. Must be willing to work overtime if required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Exposure to noise of radios, telephones, alarms and voices; fumes and odors of backup generator; dust of excessive paperwork. Work environment is frequently fast paced and high pressure, performed in dimly lit and closely confined communication room. Work setting is informal, autonomy-oriented, having variable tasks. Work is frequently fast-paced with high pressure Work hours and schedules are flexible and include holidays and weekends; must be willing to work overtime if required.

Physical: CONTINUOUS sitting, downward flexion of neck, grasping of writing materials and paperwork. FREQUENT reaching at shoulder height, twisting at waist, side to side turning of neck, manual dexterity to operate computer keyboards and phone buttons. OCCASIONAL walking, bending, and stooping, reaching above shoulder height, upward flexion of neck. INFREQUENT standing and squatting.

Communication: VISION (may be correctable) to see writing, computer input, phone bank buttons, unit and status display board. HEARING for telephone, radio, verbal communications, alarms, tones, bells. SPEAKING clearly and distinctly using telephone, radio, personal contact. WRITING service cards and related paperwork. READING computer screens, service cards, teletypes.

Date: April 2007
Revised by MH/Department

Date: June 1994
Revised by KG1/Department