Public Safety Dispatcher, California Highway Patrol Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established June 4, 1980

Scope

This series specification describes three classes which perform communication center duties with the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

Definition of Series

The Public Safety Dispatcher, California Highway Patrol, series of classes describes work involved in the performance of communications center duties including the following: receiving and transmitting reports of accidents and requests for assistance from disabled motorists; answering telephone requests for road information and other requests for assistance or information; operating radio, automated telephone, and computer-related equipment; dispatching appropriate personnel and resources to specified points as required; screening incoming calls from officers, public, media, and other allied agencies, and taking appropriate action; typing entries into computer terminals; processing reports and records; and doing other related work.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Independence of action and decision, level of decision-making authority, degree of supervision received and exercised, and size and nature of communications center serve as differentiating factors between individual classes.

Definition of Levels

Public Safety Dispatcher, California Highway Patrol

Working under direction, duties include operating radio, automated telephone, and computer-related equipment to receive, transmit, and record information; dispatching appropriate personnel and resources such as officer, emergency equipment, allied agencies, etc.; screening incoming calls from officers, public, media, and other allied agencies and taking appropriate action; receiving and handling 911 calls; receiving and handling calls from citizens who are difficult to communicate with (e.g., upset, abusive, intoxicated, suicidal, very young/old, or speech-impaired); querying specialized law enforcement databases for information; communicating with personnel of other agencies to obtain and disseminate information; monitoring and responding to field units and allied agencies; providing information to field units; disseminating information and advice to the public; briefing oncoming dispatcher; and processing reports and records.

Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor I, California Highway Patrol

This is the first supervisory level in the series. Under direction, incumbents typically plan, organize, and assign work to a group of 6-11 communications personnel and may assist with 24-hour operation of a communications center. Typical duties include planning, organizing, and assigning work to a small group of employees; providing for and conducting training in the operation of communications equipment and CHP and allied agency procedures; preparing and coordinating employees' work schedules; reviewing and evaluating employees' work performance; participating in the selection of new communications personnel; supervising or personally performing, when necessary, normal and/or the most difficult dispatch duties, and operating communications equipment; assisting with the management of a communications center by performing a wide variety of routine staff work and administrative duties; interpreting and applying the provisions of a wide variety of manuals, labor contracts, rules and regulations, etc.; preparing a variety of reports, memorandums, correspondence, and operating manuals; ensuring that communications equipment is fully operational; and providing leadership and support to team-building efforts.

Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor II, California Highway Patrol

Incumbents, under general direction, typically, (1) have full 24-hour charge responsibility for a communications center through 2-6 subordinate supervisors having approximately 12-60 staff; or (2) may, in command assignment communications centers, supervise the activities of at least 25 staff through 3 or more subordinate supervisors.

Typical duties include performing administrative duties relating to the management of a communications center; reviewing and applying pertinent provisions of labor contracts, personnel rules, and Department regulations; preparing or overseeing preparation of a variety of written documents; performing normal first-line supervisory duties when necessary; providing overall supervision of communications center staff; providing for and conducting training in communications center policies and procedures; preparing and coordinating employees' work schedules; reviewing and evaluating employees' work performance; providing positive leadership and support to team-building efforts; and overseeing the selection of new communications personnel.

Minimum Qualifications

Public Safety Dispatcher, California Highway Patrol

Either I

Six months of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Public Safety Operator, California Highway Patrol.

Or II

One year of experience in dispatching work involving the operation of radio communications equipment; or as an operator of a telephone switchboard or console.

Or III

Two years of experience involving a substantial amount of telephone contact or three years of direct contact with the public or other employees. Such experience must involve the responsibility to perform numerous tasks simultaneously or progressively responsible experience in a field requiring decision-making ability and the exercise of judgment. (Thirty semester or 45 quarter units of college level courses may be substituted for one year of the required experience.)

Or IV

Successful completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter units of college level courses. (Persons who will complete the required units during the current semester/quarter will be admitted to the examination, but they must produce evidence of successful completion of the units before they may be considered eligible for appointment.)

Or V

Successful completion of the POST Certified Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course and six months of experience involving a substantial amount of direct and/or telephone public contact.

Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor I, California Highway Patrol

Either I

One year of experience performing the duties of a Public Safety Dispatcher, California Highway Patrol.

Or II

Two years of experience in dispatching police, forestry, or fire vehicles by radio/telephone.

Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor II, California Highway Patrol

Either I

One year of experience performing the duties of a Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor I, California Highway Patrol.

Or II

Three years of progressively responsible experience in a large dispatch center for dispatching police, forestry, or fire vehicles, one year of which must include the supervision of the dispatch center.

Knowledge and Abilities

Public Safety Dispatcher, California Highway Patrol

Ability to: Understand spoken and written English words, sentences, and paragraphs; communicate effectively in English so others will understand; produce a number of alternative ideas; understand the speech of another person; tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong; apply general rules to specific problems to come up with logical answers; correctly follow rules to arrange things or actions in a certain order; remember information, such as words, numbers, and procedures; quickly combine and organize information; quickly and accurately compare letters and numbers; concentrate on a task or source of information and not be distracted; shift back and forth between two or more sources of information; sufficient physical dexterity, coordination, and agility to successfully perform the critical aspects of the job; and sufficient near vision to successfully perform the critical aspects of the job.

Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor I, California Highway Patrol

Knowledge of: Policies and procedures of local, State, and Federal law enforcement databases; the Department's computer-aided dispatch system; principles of effective writing and the Department's required format, style, etc., for written materials; effective management principles and techniques; Federal, State, and Department rules, regulations, and practices governing the operation of a communications center; departmental regulations, personnel practices, and provisions of labor contracts related to selection, evaluation, and discipline of employees; basic techniques of effective communications; the organizational structure, goals, and objectives of the Department, and functions of other sections; the Department�s Equal Employment Opportunity Program (EEO) and the processes available to meet EEO objectives; and a supervisor�s responsibility for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: All of the above, and operate general office equipment and computers; read and understand a variety of job-related materials; perform basic arithmetic; effectively communicate verbally; interpret pertinent Department policies and regulations and apply situationally; devise solutions to complex and unusual communications problems; write effectively, compose written reports, and review and edit subordinates' written work; perform normal dispatch duties and operate communications equipment; apply the principles, methods, and techniques of effective personnel management and supervision, and demonstrate leadership qualities; effectively organize and assign work, determine priorities and prepare or adjust work schedules, identify training needs and provide training to staff, and evaluate employee job performance; manage time effectively; meet and deal tactfully with departmental personnel, the public, news media, and other government agencies; ensure that communications equipment is operational and properly maintained; and effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor II, California Highway Patrol

Knowledge of: All of the above, and effective supervisory principles and techniques; effective training principles and techniques; a supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion.

Ability to: All of the above, and organize and accomplish work with a high degree of independence and direct the work of a large group through subordinate supervisors; perform normal dispatch duties and perform the duties of a Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor I; and perform the duties of acting commander.

Special Requirement

All Levels:

Ability to type at a speed of not less than 40 words per minute; and a satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

Consistently reports to work on time with a minimum of absences; willingness to work nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and at unusual hours is required; has emotional stability and even temperament; willingness and initiative to take independent action; performs tasks accurately; positive attitude; adapts to shifting demands of the job; performs effectively under stress and time pressure; tolerates a confined work space with sitting and/or standing for prolonged periods; shows interest in serving the public; shows respect and consideration for others; maintains confidentiality of information; works productively without supervision; dependable; self-motivated; mature; and a team-player.

Special Physical Characteristic

Public Safety Dispatcher, California Highway Patrol

Normal hearing.

Drug Testing Requirement

Public Safety Dispatcher, California Highway Patrol

Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug-screening test. (The drug-screening test will be waived for employees who are currently in a designated "sensitive" class for which drug testing is required under State Personnel Board Rule 213.)

Class History