Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee - Fire Department

The San José Fire Department's (SJFD) core mission is to serve the community by protecting life, property, and the environment through prevention and response. SJFD is a high-volume, high-performance, all-risk Fire Department that protects approximately 200 square miles including, residential, commercial, high-rise, wildland interface areas, and several high-hazard occupancies. For additional information visit sjfd.org.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system. To apply, applicants must complete an application via the City of San Jose’s website at www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers.

Per the City’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the City requires all employees starting on or after February 11, 2022 to provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment absent a documented medical and/or religious exemption. Proof of vaccination means that employees are required to be “up-to-date” with regards to the COVID-19 vaccine. Consistent with the Santa Clara County Public Health Order issued on December 28, 2021, "up-to-date" means that employees are required to be vaccinated with the entire recommended initial series of a COVID-19 vaccine (two doses of the Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine).

The annual salary for the Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee classification is $85,525.44 per year. This includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation pay.

Upon successful completion of training, Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainees are eligible for promotion to the Public Safety Radio Dispatcher classification. The salary range for the Public Safety Radio Dispatcher classification is currently $94,928.16 - $115,468.08 annually. This includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation pay.

The SJFD is accepting applications for the position of Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee. This is the entry-level training classification for a career in public safety dispatching within the City of San José. As a Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee, you are provided with formal training, both in the classroom and in the Communications Center, to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the full range of public safety dispatching functions. Trainees must successfully complete all formal academic and on-the-job training to be appointed to the class of Public Safety Radio Dispatcher and retain their employment.

Duties of the Public Safety Radio Dispatcher include answering emergency and non-emergency telephone calls, complying with medical and fire call taking and dispatching policies and protocols, obtaining information from callers, providing emergency instructions over the telephone, entering data into the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, dispatching fire and emergency medical personnel and equipment, providing telecommunications systems support, and performing other related work as assigned.

The Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee Training Program includes Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) protocol training. The EMD and EFD certification is a condition of employment. If an employee fails to maintain San José Fire Department protocol compliance standards, the employee is subject to discipline up to and including termination.

These positions may require working weekends, holidays and/or assignments including swing, midnight, or other nonstandard shifts. Shifts are currently an 8-hour schedule (five days a week). Shift schedules may change based on the needs of the Department, and may include an alternate 9-hour schedule (every other set of days off includes three days off). You must be available to work the shift schedule assigned to you by the Department. There is a shift differential payment of $2.00/hour for swing shift and $2.35/hour for midnight shifts.

Mandatory overtime will be required during critical incidents or to maintain staffing levels.

Wearing a uniform is required.

Incumbents receive paid training beginning on their first day attending the Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee Academy. Employee benefits are provided in accordance with the applicable union agreement.

Laterals are encouraged to apply.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Competencies

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

• Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
• Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrated effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
• Building Trust - Communicates an understanding of the other person's interests, needs and concerns; identifies and communicates shared interests and goals; identifies and communicates differences as appropriate; demonstrates honesty, keeps commitments, and behaves in an appropriate manner.
• Multi-Tasking - Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).
• Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.
• Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
• Social Awareness - Demonstrated the ability to read or sense other people's emotions and how they influence the situation of interest or concern; demonstrates empathy and organizational awareness.

In addition, ideal candidates will also possess basic knowledge, skills and abilities to:

• Pass an intensive background investigation;
• Learn to accurately and quickly enter information in the computer system while

• Learn radio codes used in computer-aided dispatch;
• Retain composure and work accurately under pressure in emergency situations;
• Read, write, spell, and speak in clear and concise English;
• Deal tactfully with the public and others;
• Follow oral and written instructions;
• Learn and interpret maps;
• Work in a confined area and wear a radio headset
• Type

Competency in a City approved language other than English is desirable, but not required for employment.

1. Education: Successful completion of high school, General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or California Proficiency Certificate.

2. Experience: One year of experience receiving, processing and/or dispatching calls in a radio dispatch or call center (one year = 2080 hours) OR, three years of experience working in public contact employment (three years = 6240 hours)

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.
Background: Pass personal background investigation as required by the Fire Department.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Applicants deemed most competitive after oral interviews will be required to pass a Fire background investigation, which includes polygraph and psychological screening. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of the following:

You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces, for each text response. This information is crucial for consideration of your application. Take care to complete it fully and accurately.

• Please include the following in your response: Job Title, Name of Organization/Agency, Dates of Employment, Average\Hours worked per Week, Description of Specific Job Duties and Responsibilities
• NOTE: Your response must be consistent with your work history and MUST include ALL the information listed above. If you do not have this experience, please indicate, “N/A.”

6. Please select your schedule availability:

a) I can work any shift to which I may be assigned: Day, Swing, Midnight, Weekends or Holidays.

b) I am not able to work some of the above.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.

Tentative Timeline

Personal History Questionnaire: August 3, 2023 – August 10, 2023 (online)

Information Sessions: week of July 31, 2023 at (Via Zoom). Exact dates and times to be determined.

Computer Practical (CritiCall Exam): August 3, 2023 – August 10, 2023 (online)

Oral Board Interview: August 22, 2023 – August 24, 2023 (via Zoom)

Sit Along: September 6, 2023 – September 23, 2023

Backgrounds: August 30, 2023 – October 25, 2023

Selection Interview (2nd Interview): October 23, 2023 – October 25, 2023

Poly/Psych/Medical Exams: November 1, 2023 – November 20, 2023

Final Job Offer Notifications: November 22, 2023

Academy Start Date: December 11, 2023

*DATES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IF NEEDED*

PERSONAL HISTORY QUESTIONNAIRE (PHQ): The most qualified applicants for Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee will be invited to complete an online pass/fail PHQ screening. The PHQ screening is designed to identify applicants who meet the Fire Department's hiring standards. The PHQ screening will consist of approximately 180 questions. The questionnaire will ask applicants to self-report behavior that has been determined to relate directly to job suitability.

Applicants should be prepared to provide detailed information of their personal history in the following nine categories: education, employment, driving history, military experience, substance use, financial history, legal history, fire, public safety and/or emergency medical experience, and other general information.

COMPUTER PRACTICAL EXAM (CritiCall): Candidates will be invited to take a computerized practical exam. During this exam, applicants are tested in several areas including data entry, multi-tasking, call summary, reading comprehension, map reading and more. Only the most qualified applicants will move forward from this examination.

COMPUTER PRACTICAL (CritiCall) TEST PREPARATION: Additional information about the computer practical exam (CritiCall), including a test preparation guide can be found at: https://criticall911.com/dispatcher-testing/applicants/

The San José Fire Department will not accept previous test scores; all candidates must take and pass the computer practical exam (CritiCall) during this recruitment in order to continue to be considered for the position.

INFORMATION SESSION: The Information Session provides applicants with more details regarding the day-to-day duties of the position(s) and an overall understanding of the hiring and training process. Candidates will also have an opportunity to ask questions of current dispatch personnel.

ORAL BOARD INTERVIEW: Oral board interviews will be held after candidates pass the practical exam (CritiCall).

BACKGROUND: The most qualified candidates who pass the practical exam (CritiCall) and oral board interviews will be considered for advancement to the background.

Additional information regarding the selection process timeline will be given to those who pass the background portion of the process.

SIT ALONG:.This is an in-person sit along in the Fire Communications Control Room. Candidates who advance to the background will be notified whether this will be a virtual tour or in-person sit along.

If you have questions regarding the duties of this position, please email inquiries to FireCommRecruitment@sanjoseca.gov.

If you have questions regarding the online application, the selection, or hiring process, please contact Irina Orozco at Irina.Orozco@sanjoseca.gov

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  To learn more about Benefits, please click here.

• To learn more about the San Jose Fire Department, please click here.

• To learn more about Fire Communications Division, please check here.

The application deadline is on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 11:59 PM. Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application. Please contact Human Resources at (408) 535-1285, or Human.Resources@sanjoseca.gov if you have any questions.