Public Safety Dispatcher - Intermediate/Advanced

Job Description:

Public Safety Dispatcher - Intermediate/Advanced

Description

Position Information

Are you an experienced dispatcher looking for your next great department to work with? Chico Police Department is it!
We are currently recruiting to fill 7 positions in our Dispatch department. Be the first point of contact, the calm on the end of the line, connecting citizens with this fantastic team.

Under general supervision, to operate a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in the capacity of a first responder; to perform assigned clerical work relating to public safety records and operations; may provide training and task supervision to others; and to perform related work as required.

Base Salary For Intermediate to Advanced
$30.30 - $43.64
$63024.00 - $90771.20/ yr.

Multiple incentives available; earn up to $95,309.76 annually based on POST certificate eligibility and shift differential. Additional incentives include 5% bi-lingual pay and 7.5% training pay.

Generous time off package, 4/10 & 3/12 schedule, on site gym and great wellness program/benefits.

Job Description

This is the journey level class in this series in which incumbents are fully competent to perform the full range of assigned duties. Incumbents operate a wide variety of complex emergency communications equipment dispatching law enforcement and/or fire/medical resources. Incumbents are required to handle emergency situations with relative independence within established policies and procedures.

Examples of Typical Job Functions (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Receive, analyze, and prioritize incoming emergency calls from the public requesting police, fire or other emergency assistance;
• Maintain citizen confidentiality, as required;
• Determine nature and location of emergency, determine priorities, and dispatch via computer-aided dispatch system police, fire, medical, or other emergency services as necessary and in accordance with established procedures;
• Maintain contact with all units on assignment;
• Communicate with persons in crisis, including persons in altered states such as intoxication or under the influence of drugs;
• Ask and respond to questions; interpret and anticipate callers situation;
• Maintain status and location of police and fire units;
• May be required to testify in court;
• Answer non-emergency calls for assistance;
• Call out City maintenance workers and/or IS staff for maintenance emergencies;
• Enter, update, and retrieve information from a variety of computer systems and databases;
• Receive requests for information from computer systems and provide pertinent data;
• Monitor several complex public safety radio frequencies;
• Operate a variety of communications equipment including computerized radio consoles, telephones, and computer equipment; process a wide variety of public safety records, files, logs, reports, and forms;
• Monitor all facility cameras;
• May assist in the training of less experienced personnel;
• Operate office equipment;
• Identifies problems and solutions and makes suggestions and recommendations regarding changes in procedure and policy;
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Geographic features, landmarks, and streets of the City of Chico and surrounding jurisdictional boundaries;
• Correct English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; effective public safety dispatching methods;
• Police and fire department operations, policies and procedures, and records management requirements.

Ability to:

• Type a minimum of 45 words per minute;
• Operate computerized telephone and computerized radio communications equipment and computer-aided dispatch system;
• Use standard broadcasting procedures and rules;
• Correctly use public safety classification codes and basic provisions of the California Vehicle and Penal Codes;
• Speak clearly and precisely;
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations;
• Think and react quickly using logic and reasoning to achieve conclusions, effectively communicate with and elicit information from citizens faced with emergency situations;
• Exercise independent judgment and critical thinking skills;
• Work with minimal supervision;
• Comprehend and make inferences from written materials;
• Handle simultaneous events effectively;
• Handle confidential matters with a high degree of discretion;
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
• Develop and maintain cooperative and professional relationships with fellow employees, representatives from other departments, and supervisory personnel.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic Public Safety Dispatcher certificate. minimum of two years’ experience at a level equivalent to City of Chico Public Safety Dispatcher - Entry.

Experience:

• Minimum of two years’ experience at a level equivalent to City of Chico Public Safety Dispatcher - Entry, and if an internal career ladder promotion, successful completion of the City of Chico Dispatch Training program.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver License.

Additional Information

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work is frequently performed in emergency and stressful situations.

Environmental Conditions

The noise level in the work environment is moderately noisy. Work with numerous and frequent interruptions in a high stress environment. Work shifts cover 24 hours per day and seven days per week including holidays.

The City of Chico offers a wide range of employee benefits. Benefits are subject to negotiations with employee organizations and may vary with individual bargaining units. For a summary of benefits, please visit the City of Chico website at: City of Chico - Employee Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 8/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$63,024.00 - $84,427.20 Annually