Class Summary

Do you have one year of continuous experience (full-time or equivalent) as a Police Radio Dispatcher? Have you been employed in the last 18 months as a law enforcement radio dispatcher utilizing a Computer Aided Dispatch System? If so, coming to work for the City of Spokane could be your next great career move!

SPD offers a generous compensation package that includes a pension plan and annual pay increases! Cannabis use prior to application is no longer disqualifying for this position. Once hired, employees of the Spokane Police Department may not use cannabis or any illegal drugs at any time.

For more detailed information about working for the Spokane Police Department, visit our recruitment website.

Why Choose The Spokane Region

Why do locals love Spokane? It may depend on whom you ask but most will tell you it is because of the abundance of outdoor recreation, numerous waterways within a close driving distance, arts and culture, a plethora of breweries and wineries, and a rich food scene in the vibrant downtown core. With its natural beauty, entertainment, award winning K-12 schools and excellent colleges and universities it's no wonder why Spokane continues to grow! Learn more about our city here.

Examples Of Job Functions

Receives operational calls and messages by police radio, telephone and computer.
Provides requested information or transmits messages and information to mobile units.
Dispatches additional police units on trouble calls, as directed.
Relays messages between mobile units, portable units and other City departments
Operates an electronic message recorder.
Maintains an operational log, monitors other City department radio frequencies, and takes indicated action in an emergency.
Prepares and maintains necessary reports, records and files.
Performs extensive operation at computer terminals.
Receives emergency calls, transferred through 911 operators.
Dispatches emergency personnel and equipment, in accordance with departmental policy or as directed.
Enters, updates and receives information, emergency and non-emergency, using the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) computer.
Assists in maintaining appropriate radio files.
Maintains radio, telephone and computer contact with other agencies and public safety support organizations.
Assists in preparation and maintenance of records and reports.
Performs related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Open Entry Requirements:

(Open-entry applicants must meet all requirements when they apply.)

Experience: One year of continuous experience (full-time or equivalent hours) and employed within the last eighteen months as a law enforcement radio dispatcher utilizing a Computer Aided Dispatch System.
Equivalency: We may accept different combinations of education and experience. We welcome job seekers with relevant backgrounds to apply.

Pre-employment Requirements:

Applicants must submit a Personal History Statement (PHS) form. This documentation will be used to conduct a background investigation. Completion of this form is MANDATORY for employment consideration.
Applicants are also required to complete a polygraph examination, fingerprinting, and a background investigation prior to appointment, and must obtain ACCESS II certification during the probationary period.

Notes :

Within one year of appointment, employees in this classification must have the ability to type a minimum of 200 keystrokes (40 words) per minute.

EXAMINATION DETAILS

For information on what to expect with the hiring process, a test information guide, and frequently asked questions, please visit our website.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications and pass the examination for this position to be eligible for hire. The examination will consist of a training and experience evaluation (T&E) with scoring weight assigned as follows:

T&E: 100%

T&E EVALUATION DETAILS

The T&E examination consists of a Supplemental Questionnaire. The questions may be viewed online under the tab marked "QUESTIONS" on the job announcement page. The T&E must be submitted online at the time of application. All applicants must complete and submit a City of Spokane employment application online in order to be considered.

Responses to your T&E questions should be consistent with the information given in your application details. Answers are subject to verification.
Failure to complete all of the questions or incomplete responses will result in a lower score; therefore, it is advantageous for you to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question.
Resumes or questionnaires uploaded as attachments to the application will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question online.
"See Resume" or "See above," etc., are not qualifying responses and will not be considered.
Changes or corrections to your responses cannot be made once your application packet has been submitted.
TIP: It may be more efficient to develop your responses in a word processing document and then paste them into the online questionnaire to be submitted.

Upon request, at time of application, the City will provide alternative accessible tests to individuals with disabilities that impair manual, sensory or speaking skills needed to take the test, unless the test is intended to measure those skills.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status or disability status. As a Fair Chance employer, City of Spokane does not conduct initial background screening for non-public safety positions.

Benefit Compensation Value

In addition to a salary, The City of Spokane provides a generous benefits package valued between $24,902 - $34,218.

Insurance Benefits

Eligibility: Coverage begins for new hires and their dependents on the first day of the month following 30 consecutive days of employment.

Eligible Dependents: Spouse or Domestic Partner, birth, adopted children or children placed for adoption, Domestic Partner's children, step-children who live with employee, and any child for whom employee is legal guardian or for whom coverage is required by a Qualified Medical Support Order. Adult children under age 26 are eligible.

Medical

Qualified employees may select from two health carrier options; a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) administered by Kaiser Permanente or a Preferred Provider Option (PPO) administered by Premera Blue Cross. The monthly premium varies dependent upon plan and coverage level selected.

Vision

Vision coverage is included in the medical plan selected. Costs for eye exams and hardware; lenses, frames or contacts varies depending on the medical plan selected.

Dental

Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental of Washington. The City pays the monthly premium in full for employee and eligible dependents.

Life Insurance - Employee Only

Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at one-and-a-half times the employee's annual base salary to a maximum of $150,000. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

Life Insurance - Eligible Dependent(s)

Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at $5,000 for spouse/domestic partner and $2,000 for each child. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

Flexible Spending Account

The City offers two optional Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA. The Health Care FSA allows an employee to use pre-tax dollars to receive reimbursement for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. The Dependent Care FSA allows an employee to receive reimbursement for eligible daycare expenses for dependent children up to age 13 and other eligible dependents as defined by IRS Code.

AFLAC

Supplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay benefits that major medical insurance does not cover. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

AudioNet Hearing Aid Benefit

AudioNet Hearing Aid Benefit is optional. The City of Spokane has partnered with AudioNet America to offer a discounted Hearing Aid Program with fixed out-of-pocket costs.

LegalShield/ID Shield

Prepaid legal services and/or prepaid identity theft programs are optional. These programs pay for a limited number of documents to be reviewed, limited trial defense representation, the preparation of a standard will, identity theft consultation, restoration and monitoring according to terms of contract.

Pet Insurance

Get cash back on the everyday care your pet needs to stay healthy! Nationwide/Voluntary Pet Insurance is an optional plan in which City of Spokane Employees can enroll.

Voluntary Term Life Insurance

Voluntary Term Life Insurance is optional and is provided through The Standard Insurance Company and is subject to application review and approval. Additional coverage up to $300,000 is available for employees and their spouse/domestic partner. Dependent children can be insured for up to $10,000 each. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

Continued Medical/Dental Insurance

Employees separating from City service have the option to continue medical and/or dental insurance benefits in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium in addition to a small monthly administrative fee.

Retirement Benefits

Spokane Employees' Retirement System

The Spokane Employees' Retirement System (SERS) is a defined benefit pension plan covering non-uniformed, permanent employees. As a participant, you contribute 11% of your salary toward your retirement. Contributions and earnings are tax-deferred. The City also contributes 11% of your salary toward your retirement. Employees hired on or after January 1, 2015 become vested (eligible for a monthly benefit at retirement age) at seven years of service.

Deferred Compensation

Enrollment in the City-sponsored 457 Deferred Compensation Plan administered by MissionSquare Retirement allows participants, on a voluntary basis, to defer a portion of their salary on a before or after tax basis. Contributions and associated earnings contributed on a before tax basis are eligible to receive City matching contributions and are tax deferred (not taxed until taken out). You can also choose to participate in the 457 Roth (after tax) contribution option. You may enroll in the 457 plan or change your contribution at any time. Minimum contribution is $15 per paycheck up to and is subject to the IRS annual limitations. The City will match employee contributions up to $120/month.

PAID TIME OFF

Official Holidays

The City observes seven official holidays as paid. An official holiday that falls on a Saturday will be observed on the preceding Friday. An official holiday that falls on a Sunday will be observed on the Monday immediately following. The City observes Martin Luther King Jr's birthday but has not declared that day as an official holiday. For this reason, employees hired before the third Monday of January receive an additional eight hours of floating holiday time to be used in accordance with Local 270 Collective Bargaining Agreement provisions.

Floating (Personal) Holidays

Up to 48 hours administered throughout the year. Floating holiday hours may not be carried over into the next year and any unused hours will not be paid at termination.

Vacation Leave

Employees must be in paid status for 80% of that pay period to accrue vacation leave. The amount of vacation earned depends on the employee's length of service - from 12 days per year for a new employee to 27 days per year after 20 years of employment. Unused vacation hours carry over each year.

Sick Leave

Sick leave accrues at a rate of six (6) hours per biweekly pay period. Employees must be in paid status for 80% of that pay period to accrue sick leave. There is no maximum accumulation and unused sick leave hours carry over each year.

Other Leaves

The City also provides several other paid and unpaid leaves, such as: bereavement leave, Family and Medical Leave, maternity leave, jury duty, and military duty leave.

WORK/LIFE PROGRAMS

Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a referral and counseling service administered by Deer Oaks. It provides a myriad of services to employees and their household members. Services include receiving confidential assistance for personal issues, such as managing stress, depression, parenting, alcohol/drugs, grief, etc. Each household member is eligible to receive up to eight counseling sessions per issue per year at no charge. There is also a benefit relating financial or legal concerns in addition to Worklife/Convenience services and online tools.

Employer Sponsored Bus Pass (ESBP) Program

The City of Spokane encourages employees to use alternatives to driving alone to work and participates in the ESBP Program offered by Spokane Transit Authority (STA). The program provides a bus pass for unlimited rides free of charge.

Revised March 15, 2022

01

This recruitment is exclusive to the Spokane Police Department. All applicants are required to complete and submit a Personal History Statement packet with their application. This document will be used to conduct a background investigation.

Download the PHS form at the following link: Personal History Statement

Have you attached your completed Personal History Statement to your application?

Yes
No

02

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE INSTRUCTIONS The following Supplemental Questionnaire is the Civil Service examination for this position and must be completed online at the time of application. Questionnaires submitted as an attachment to the online application will not be considered. In order to receive every consideration in the selection process, you must complete all questions with concise but detailed answers and provide all requested information. Each answer will be scored separately. References such as "See Resume/Application" as a response or copy and paste from your work experience will not be scored. By continuing in the examination process, you certify that all information provided in the Supplemental Questionnaire is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. Do you wish to continue?

Yes
No

03

Do you have one year of continuous experience (full-time or equivalent hours) as a law enforcement radio dispatcher utilizing a Computer Aided Dispatch system?

Yes
No

04

Have you been employed within the last 18 months as a law enforcement radio dispatcher? Note: If you answer "No" to any of the questions to this point, you have indicated that you do not meet the requirements for this position.

Yes
No

05

List your work experience as a law enforcement radio dispatcher or other law enforcement positions. Beginning with your most recent experience, provide this information in the following format. For each job, use the labels "a., b., ... e." instead of writing out each subtopic title. a. Name of agency b. Your position title c. Dates of employment (from month/year to month/year) d. Average number of hours worked per week e. Number of employees you supervised f. Number of officers at this agency g. Average yearly calls for service agency-wide h. Your personal average calls per shift i. Briefly describe your primary responsibilities in a couple of sentences.

06

List your formal education, training and/or certifications related to this position. For certifications, indicate dates attended. For degrees, indicate dates attended and degree attained. For trainings, indicate the number of hours that you attended the training.

07

If you indicated a college degree, please attach your transcripts to this application. (You may go back and do so at this time, returning to this question afterward.) Have you attached college transcripts to this application?

Yes
No

08

Describe your supervisory or lead experience in law enforcement communications. Include dates you held supervisory* or lead positions. * Supervisory positions generally are required to assign work and write performance evaluations for subordinate employees.

09

Describe your experience training and/or mentoring others in law enforcement communications.

10

Describe your current level of decision-making authority as a law enforcement radio dispatcher.

11

Describe your work experience using, developing, and/or implementing communications policies and procedures. Please be specific.

12

Describe your experience participating or leading special projects related to communications work. Please be specific.

13

Describe any related qualifications you possess related to the position of Police Radio Dispatcher. (Examples may include team-building experience, program coordination, quality improvements, and so on.)

Required Question

City of Spokane

About Company

Police Radio Dispatcher II Lateral