Lead Public Safety Dispatcher

Description

The Harbor Police Department is seeking a Lead Public Safety Dispatcher with a positive work attitude and excellent interpersonal skills to join our team. This position will assist the Civilian Manager and Dispatch Supervisors in oversight of the Dispatch Center on an assigned shift, administrative duties in support of the Dispatch Center, and will be responsible for first line supervision duties in the absence of a supervisor. An ideal candidate should be detail oriented with a background in training, coaching and developing new staff and should possess advanced knowledge of public safety dispatching protocols and technology.

This position will require the ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Hiring Range Negotiable Between: $84,510.40 - $102,731.20 DOE/DOQ*

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Represented positions are subject to the meet and confer process.

• Plans, coordinates, schedules, inspects, and supervises the work of assigned dispatch staff; provides for the training of staff in work methods, use of tools, and equipment; provides specialized training for staff and other sections and departments, and evaluates new methods and techniques to apply.

• Receives and supervises call taking, complaints, and inquiries from the public for police or other emergency services, over multiple phone lines and multiple radio frequencies; answers 911 emergency calls; screens incoming calls to triage, determining necessity, priority, and type of response(s) required, in accordance with established procedures.

• Participates in the preparation of budget recommendations; authorizes the purchase of materials and monitors work activities and expenditures to control costs; suggests needs for equipment upgrades to supervisor and manager.

• Responds to and leads assigned staff in emergency situations.

• Assists and supports the section's supervisor and/or manager in developing and implementing the section's operational scheduling; evaluates and recommends work standards and procedures for the section; evaluates scheduling, labor, and other job-specific requirements.

• Responds to inquiries and complaints and attends various meetings with internal and external stakeholders.

• Leads dispatching of public safety emergency units via radio and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) in accordance with established procedures using a computerized dispatch system; determines priority of emergency and contacts and sends appropriate response units; conducts computer inquiries in several law enforcement databases to determine warrants on persons, missing persons, vehicles, and property; deciphers information received from these databases; enters information into databases; operates telephone equipment (TTY) for hard of hearing persons.

• Assists in the implementation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of technology systems, databases, and equipment; supports operational continuity by coordinating with internal teams and vendors; evaluates and recommends improvements to enhance system efficiency and reliability.

• Acts as a liaison to the public and representatives of other agencies for the department; provides initial non-emergency contact with the public and representatives of other agencies for the requesting of police records or related services; determines the nature of the contact; provides correct information regarding services, policies, and procedures; directs the caller to the proper individual or agency.

• Leads the maintenance of accurate departmental and law enforcement records and files; researches and compiles information from such files and completes a variety of record keeping functions, filing, and other such clerical work.

• Attends required trainings (e.g., Peace Officer Standards and Training [P.O.S.T.] and departmental), required meetings, and shift briefs; participates in drills and test scenarios to prepare for unexpected emergencies.

• Prepares and maintains a variety of records and reports, including timecards, worksheets, audio recordings of radio transmission and telephone calls, accident reports, and maintenance requests.

• Assists supervisory staff with the performance review process, as directed.

• Performs assigned disaster service worker responsibilities, as directed.

• Observes and complies with all Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles of providing functional direction and training.

• City and county geography, maps, streets, and landmarks.

• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of general law enforcement and related public safety agencies providing emergency services.

• Terminology and procedures used in public safety dispatching.

• Proper phone etiquette and techniques for eliciting and providing accurate and timely information in emergency situations.

• Record keeping principles and procedures.

• Principles and practices of data collection and report preparation.

• Functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies.

• Operation of computer-aided communications equipment, including multiple telephone lines and radio systems.

• Business arithmetic and basic statistical techniques.

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.

• Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Port staff.

• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff.

• Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction.

• Coordinate work assignments with other sections, divisions, departments, or agencies.

• Reason clearly, analyze situations accurately, and adopt and develop effective courses of action under emergency and non-emergency situations.

• Follow directions, simultaneously perform multiple tasks under steady pressure, high stress with frequent interruptions, and a high degree of public and officer contact.

• Obtain necessary information from individuals in stressful or emergency situations.

• Multitask and handle several telephone calls, radio transmissions, and computer functions simultaneously.

• Record and relay numerous details accurately during routine phone calls as well as from callers under duress.

• Perform the most complex public safety dispatching and most complicated emergency calls.

• Memorize codes, names, street locations, and other information.

• Read and interpret maps and other pertinent documentation.

• Testify in court in an accurate and truthful manner.

• Interpret, apply, and explain policies, procedures, and regulations.

• Attend to multiple activities simultaneously.

• Compose correspondence independently or from brief instructions.

• Maintain accurate records and files.

• Organize, maintain, and update office database and records systems.

• Make accurate arithmetic and statistical computations.

• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy.

• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.

• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.

• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.

• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.

• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; communicate clearly and consistently within the chain of command.

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

• Two (2) years of experience in public safety dispatching experience for a government entity.

• Possession of a valid California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Certification, to be maintained throughout employment.

Recruitment Information

Hiring Range Negotiable Between: $84,510.40 - $102,731.20 DOE/DOQ*

The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training, and experience relative to the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible.

Only qualified applicants who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the assessment process which may be administered by a written examination, panel interview, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Department of Human Resources to be appropriate. The Department of Human Resources will make reasonable accommodation in the examination process for disabled applicants. If you have an accommodation request, please indicate such on your application.

Depending upon the number of applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants may be scheduled for one or more of the assessments listed below. Passing score is 70% out of 100% on each assessment section.

• Depends on experience/Depends on qualifications.

THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT (40%) AND APPRAISAL PANEL (60%) IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY APRIL 28, 2026 AND TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026.

To move forward in the application process, you must complete an online application through our website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/portofsd If applicable, please attach a copy of your unofficial transcripts (indicating when degree was awarded) to your application or your application may be considered incomplete. Resumes may be uploaded but cannot be used in place of a completed application. You must also attach a valid California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher certificate to your application in order to move forward in the process.

The Department of Human Resources may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the assessment process. Candidates who are successful in all phases of the assessment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list established by this recruitment will be active for a minimum of ninety (90) days or up to one (1) year, unless otherwise determined by the Director pursuant to Rule 8, Section 4.