Police Service Officer - Jailer / Dispatcher

The City of Palos Verdes Estates isestablishing an eligibility list for Police Services Officer

~~~PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT~~~

IMPORTANT: You must create an account with the National Testing Network and pass the written test here in addition to completing this application in order to be invited to an oral interview. This test includes a words-per-minute typing test. Tests are offered remotely and multiple sessions are available daily for scheduling convenience.

The Palos Verdes Estates Police Department serves a residential community of approximately 13,500 residents. The Department has 22 Sworn Officers and 8 Non-Sworn Service Officer Positions. The department features a traffic & motorcycle, Detectives, and support units. The Spillman CAD/RSM is found in the Communications Center.

The ideal candidate can handle emergency call-taking and dispatching in a fast-paced, high-stress, environment. This individual will need to thrive under pressure, be a brilliant multi-tasker, and possess strong typing and data entry skills. Candidates must treat callers courteously and tactfully; make important decisions quickly and accurately; work in partnership with all citizens to establish and maintain community peace; and enhance the quality of community life. Work 12-hour shifts; maintain contact with all units on assignment, status and location of field units and a daily log of all field calls and units dispatched; receive incoming telephone, teletype, and radio calls; operate standard office equipment; booking, and searching prisoners; and other duties as required.

• Healthcare allowance: $2,000 per month

• Uniform allowance: $825 per year

• POST certificate pay

• Education pay (after 2 years of service):

  • 5% for Associate’s degree

  • 10% for Bachelor’s degree

• Bilingual pay

• 120 hours of holiday pay (cash-out option)

• 96 hours of vacation

Classification

Definition:

Under general supervision, receives incoming calls for emergency and non-emergency assistance and dispatches necessary units; maintains custody, control and safekeeping of all inmates detained in the City jail; and performs a variety of general support duties related to communication and records activities.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Police Services Officer is a civilian employee of the Police Department who may wear a uniform but carries no weapon. A Police Services Officer receives customers’ requests, responds to the public’s concerns, and, if necessary, dispatches patrol units using radio digital terminal, and other methods. An employee of this class must make independent decisions which affect the safety of police officers, the public and property, such as those involved in determining the urgency of requests received, and the appropriate action to take. A Police Services Officer receives extensive Police communications and custodial facility training.

Duties

Essential Functions

The Police Services Officer requires demonstrated skills and abilities to perform the following:

Duties:

• Receives emergency calls from the public requesting police and other emergency service; determines nature and location of emergency; prioritizes calls and dispatches police or other emergency units as necessary according to established procedures.
• Maintains contact with all units on assignment; maintains status and location of police field units.
• Coordinates emergency calls and relays information and assistance requests involving other public safety agencies.
• Enters, updates and retrieves information from computer networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration and other information.
• Performs a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical duties related to communication and records activities; responds to requests for assistance and general questions at the counter.
• Maintains custody, control and safekeeping of prisoners including booking of arrested persons, performing searches, taking inventory of prisoner's property, fingerprinting and administering breath tests, where applicable; monitors the activities of prisoners in City detention facilities and transports prisoners; provides daily care of prisoners, including feeding and medicating.
• Maintains and enforces custodial facility regulations of the jail.
• Takes routine Police reports related to minor crimes; assists officers in program functions assigned, including Neighborhood Watch, DARE and similar activities.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties satisfactorily. The following requirements are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Knowledge of basic mathematics.
• Knowledge of modern office methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of use and basic care of various types of office machines and equipment.
• Knowledge of applicable California Vehicle and Penal Codes.
• Skill applying rational judgment in emergency situations.
• Skill exercising independent judgment, decisiveness and creativity.
• Skill eliciting factual information from persons in emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Skill in safety tactics and subduing combative prisoners.
• Skill applying designated provisions of the California Vehicle and Penal Codes.
• Skill speaking clearly and precisely, and applying standard broadcasting techniques.
• Skill operating a variety of office machines and using a personal computers and office software.
• Skill communicating effectively with coworkers, representatives from other agencies and the public.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply the policies, procedures, laws, codes and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Typing Certificate Information:You must demonstrate the ability to type 30 words per minute or more during the written test through the national testing network. This words-per-minute certification, along with passing the written test, is required to be invited to the next step of the application process (panel interview).

All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates deemed to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma and one year of public contact experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements:

• Must successfully complete POST certified dispatch training, the Core Correctional Officers Course (jail school) and CPR certification during initial twelve months.
• Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License with a safe driving record is required and must be maintained as valid during the course of employment.

Additional InformationThe City of Palos Verdes Estates is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Palos Verdes Estates will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.Physical Requirements

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Ability to maintain physical condition necessary for this position which includes: sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time; walking, turning, twisting, bending, pushing, crouching, dragging, pulling, climbing; reaching above or below shoulder level to retrieve records, reports and property from files, shelves and storage areas; input data into a computer for prolonged periods of time; hear and speak to those encountered in the performance of duties on the phone or in person; read reports and other records; and read from a computer terminal. Work is performed outdoors and indoors in a controlled office environment. May be occasionally exposed to hazardous materials being stored in evidence storage areas.

Work environment

Characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employee goes from being seated in a docile position at the dispatch center or office to an energized position and then return to the docile position. The job can be very fast paced within a short period of time. While performing the duties of this job the work environment is generally in a temperature controlled office.

Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but the employee may occasionally be exposed to high level noises including but not limited to emergency vehicle sirens, gun fire, shouting, and yelling.

Hearing: normal. Color vision: normal. Visual acuity: not less than 20/70 in each eye uncorrected, corrected to 20/20 in the better eye and not less than 20/30 in the lesser eye.

The City of Palos Verdes Estates is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Palos Verdes Estates will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Application Procedure: Please upload a cover letter, resume and a typing certificateverifying a NET speed of 30 WPM. Uploading these documents, DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE A COMPLETE APPLICATION. You must complete all components of the application. Incomplete Applications will not be considered.

IMPORTANT: You must create an account with the National Testing Network and pass the written test here in addition to completing this application in order to be invited to an oral interview.

Oral Board Interview:Applicants who successfully submit an application and all listed documentation AND pass the National Testing Network test will be eligible to proceed to the oral interview, dates TBD.

Inquiries about status may be directed to abelda@pvestates.org