Police Dispatcher (Lateral)

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to receive, interpret, and relay information in a clear, precise, courteous, and tactful manner.
• Operate computer aided dispatching (CAD) equipment and other equipment quickly, accurately, and at times, concurrently.
• Respond to emergency and problem situations in an effective and calm manner.
• Ability to work under pressure and exercise good judgement and initiative, while remaining productive.

• The Eligibility List will consist of both internal and external applicants who meet the qualifications and successfully complete any required selection processes.
• The hiring department has the discretion to consider internal applicants on the Eligibility List prior to considering external candidates on the Eligibility List.
• The City of Ontario reserves the right, if necessary, to accept only the first one hundred (100) applications from applicants that meet the qualification guidelines below.
• Completed applications will be reviewed and only qualified applicants whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements of the position and needs of the City will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

• Your relatives, references, and acquaintances are asked to comment on your suitability for this position.
• The information supplied regarding your educational history is examined and verified.
• You must list a history of your residences.
• Your work history and experience are examined with regard to your dependability, relationships with fellow workers, trustworthiness, and general job performance.
• Military service records are subject to verification.
• The background investigation considers your management of personal finances (however, being in debt does not automatically disqualify you).
• Your criminal, driving, and insurance records are evaluated.

TEAMWORK: Fulfilling community partnerships that instill pride, passion and commitment through communication and performance. Learn from the past and embrace the future through empowerment, respect, and cooperation.

PROFESSIONALISM:It is not the job we do; it is how we do our job. We are engaging and considerate with our actions, image, and conduct.

INTEGRITY:We hold honesty as our guiding principle. When faced with difficult decisions, we do the right thing, even in the face of adversity.

ACCOUNTABILITY:We openly identify and address problems and willingly accept responsibility for our own actions.

DEDICATION: We are committed to our craft and to the residents, businesses, and visitors of the City of Ontario.

The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario enjoys the reputation of being a progressive City which provides solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including, but not limited to: Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Economic Development, Public Works and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City’s team is staffed with approximately 1,517 full-time equivalent diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community.

The City’s vision for the future is very exciting, and we foresee tremendous growth within the years to come. We welcome you to view the City of Ontario’s 2025 State of the City video by clicking on the link below as well as the other links to learn more about the City:

State of the City

The Ontario Plan

Smart Ontario

Downtown Ontario

• Receives, identifies, and records a variety of calls for assistance from the public related to Police services.
• Hears, understands, and reacts to radio and telephone communication often simultaneously.
• Calms distressed callers, uses interview techniques to gain incident information, and enters calls for service in a timely and accurate manner.
• Provides information to callers, prepares telephone requests for assistance, assigns incident numbers to occurring events, and refers callers to other staff/agencies as appropriate.
• Dispatches Police personnel and equipment based on computerized recommendations, response procedure guidelines, and knowledge of agency requirements.
• Communicates with Police personnel in the field and informs emergency command staff of pending responses from other agencies.
• Maintains status of calls via computer screens, keyboard, and other communications equipment.
• Conducts tests of emergency communication equipment as needed.
• Coordinates use of radio frequencies among ground units and performs routine communication via radio paging for administrative staff.
• Testifies credibly in court.
• Prioritizes safety related information and analyzes complex information for situational changes.
• Applies a working knowledge of regional geography for all the areas served by the Communications Center.
• Serves as back up for Records Division after hours, including CLETS entries.
• Transmits all-point bulletins received by teletype or radio to field units.
• Contacts other agencies to check on subject warrants.
• Runs registration checks on vehicles, property, wanted information, and driver's license status and responds to special requests.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

1. Proof of possession of a valid California POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate; or
2. Proof of successful completion of the POST-certified Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course and completion of probation as a public safety dispatcher during previous employment

• Knowledge of CLETS terminal use for law enforcement purposes.
• Knowledge of computer video display terminal and keyboard.
• Knowledge of geography and major road networks of the City and surrounding service areas.

• Ability to work any shift in a 24-hour/day, 7-day/week operation on a rotational basis including weekends and holidays. Shift assignments are based on seniority.
• Ability to work mandatory overtime and occasionally on an on-call basis.
• Ability and willingness to wear mandatory uniform and communication head set.
• Ability to type at a speed of45 words per minute.
• Ability to learn and retain an extensive amount of codes, terminology and procedures required to perform the basic functions of the job.

• Operate a current version Windows based personal computer.
• Operate a personal computer keyboard with sufficient speed and accuracy to accomplish the core job functions of Police Dispatcher.
• Read, learn, and understand complex instructions and documentation including standard operating procedures, training materials, general orders, maps, and related material.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Understand and retain complex instructions and training concepts.
• Interact and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive, harmonious, and effective working relationships and demonstrate a cooperative and professional attitude at all times.
• Maintain the confidentiality of information as prescribed by law.
• Speak to callers using clarity, courtesy, and tact.
• Work in an environment with exposure to stressful situations which may result from pressure to provide an appropriate and timely response and follow-up required by emergency and routine events that often occur simultaneously.

Selection Process

APPLICATION / PRE-EMPLOYMENT QUESTIONNAIRE REVIEW:A panel selected by the Police Department will review each candidate's application materials, including but not limited to; employment application, resume (if available), and Pre Background Interview Questionnaire to determine if the applicant may be able to successfully complete the background investigation process.

INTERVIEWS:Depending on the needs of the Department, applicants may participate in several panel interviews to further determine their suitability for the position.

SKILLS TESTING:Applicants invited to continue in the selection process may be asked to participate in online skills testing to determine if they possess the skills necessary to be successful in the position. Note: Skills testing may be completed at the same time as departmental interviews.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: All appointments are subject to a satisfactory background investigation, which will include the passing of a polygraph test, and the successful completion of a post-offer psychological and medical exam (including drug screen), and an 18-month probationary period.

How to Apply

Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" link at the top of this announcement. If this is the first time applying for a position using governmentjobs.com, you will be prompted to create a new user account, otherwise, log in with your username and password. Your application and responses to any supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. It is suggested that your application include the following:

• List any relevant experience and education that demonstrates that you qualify for the position.

• List all periods of employment for at least the past 10 years, beginning with your most recent or present employer (including, if applicable, all employment with the City of Ontario).

• Separately list each position held, includingdifferent positionswith the same employer.

A resume may be attached to your application but will not substitute for the proper completion of your application. Applications that are not properly completed may be rejected.

NOTE:Transcripts from colleges, universities or technical schools outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report will result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.

Application Process

Applicants are requiredto submit required certification(s) or other required documentation as outlined in the Qualifications Guideline section of this bulletin. Please use the attachment function found on the City's online application to attach copies of the requested certification(s) or other documentation. Failure to attach required documentation may result in the rejection of your application. Please contact the Human Resources/Risk Management Agency if you have any questions regarding the application process.

Your application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Failure to complete these sections may result in the rejection of your application.

Supplemental Questions

To complete your application for this position, you may be prompted to respond to supplemental questions. This information will be used as part of the application screening and selection process and is designed to help you present your qualifications for this position. This may include a selection step in which your application and supplemental questions are reviewed and scored by a panel of raters familiar with this position.

Incomplete responses, false statements, omission, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Your responses should be consistent with the information provided on your application.

Please provide succinct, concise, descriptive, and detailed information for each question. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.