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The Community Safety and Communications Center is seeking applicants to answer the Police Departments non-emergency and emergency 911 telephone lines. A competitive applicant would possess strong multi-tasking skills, knowledge of counseling, crisis management, the legal system, and social service agencies and the services they provide. These skills combined with extensive on the job training would be used to perform daily job duties and resolve most work problems. Contacts are primarily with the public via telephone for the purpose of responding to emergency and non-emergency requests for assistance and information.
Job Responsibilities:
Receive incoming calls and text messages from the public concerning emergency police, fire, or medical service needs or non-emergency assistance requests.
Screen calls to determine need for assistance, proper routing, and response to calls. Transfers calls to the non-emergency queue, radio dispatchers and other appropriate agencies or personnel.
Generate emergency and non-emergency calls for service using a Computer Aided Dispatch system.
Interview callers, completes case/criminal reports and issues case numbers.
Responds to requests, including from people who may be hearing impaired, Deaf, deaf-blind, speech impaired, and/or who may communicate via limited English.
Monitor several applications specific to call taking and dispatching.
Re-contact callers who were disconnected or who were unresponsive during initial communications.
Provide general information to callers including availability of services, jurisdictional limitations, program information and referral to appropriate departments or agencies.
Demonstrates techniques in conflict resolution, mediation and negotiation, working in a high-pressured and structured environment.
This description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required of positions in this class. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities.
Qualifications:
Verifiable education, training, and experience in general office and telephone communication functions and activities, demonstrated ability to access and input information into personal computers and a minimum of six (6) months’ experience providing customer service in a high volume, fast-paced, high stress environment (or a combination of education, training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).
Additional Information:
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
Work overtime, nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
Work is performed in a busy 24/7 call center environment, confined to immediate work area, and requires continuous staffing.
Work involves sensitive contact with members of the public via telephone, who are in crisis.
License, Certification, and Other Requirements:
Completion of training requirements to handle emergency and non-emergency functions as it relates to processing calls, administrative duties, referrals, and other duties assigned.
Position Requirements:
Must be available to work mandatory overtime assignments as required.
Must be available to work a variety of shifts.
Applicants must pass a keyboarding test at 40 words per minute, a work-related multi-media performance test, a comprehensive background investigation (may take up to 4 weeks), and a psychological evaluation.
Candidates must pass a hearing and vision screening by a city approved doctor.
Candidates must submit a vaccine verification in accordance with the City of Seattle’s vaccine mandate.
Additional Information:
Entry-level dispatchers start at $62,848.80 per year plus an excellent benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision. Upon successful completion of an extensive and intensive training program, employees in this classification may compete for promotional opportunities to Police Communications Dispatcher II (up to $84,814.56), Dispatcher III (up to $95,296.32), and then Police Dispatcher Supervisor (up to $110,893.68).
This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.
Who may apply: This position is open to all applicants that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The City encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.
