$24,835 ~ $33,592  Entry Level, (PSD I) ~ 6 Steps
$33,592 ~ $42,848  (PSDII) ~ 6 steps

SHASCOM is the PSAP for the County of Shasta in Northern California. Located in the mountains, midway between Sacramento and the Oregon border, Shasta County is known for its beautiful lakes (Shasta and Whiskeytown), the Sacramento River and other creeks and rivers which provide outstanding family recreation. Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta provide excellent winter sports. Open spaces, reasonable housing, good schools and low crime make the area ideal for raising families.

CLASS PURPOSE

Under direct supervision, answers and processes incoming emergency requests, enters information in prescribed format into the Agency’s computer aided dispatch (CAD) telecommunications system; receives general training in 9-1-1 public safety dispatching.

TYPICAL DUTIES

Answers the telephone and receives emergency, non-emergency and 9-1-1 requests for assistance; evaluates the information and creates a CAD system event or transfers the call to the proper emergency service provider, or provides information to the caller.

Receives structured classroom and on-the-job training to increase the level of competence to that of a journey-level public safety dispatcher

• Operate a Computer Aided Dispatch System, video display terminals, and associated equipment.
• Maintain familiarity with major roads, streets, areas, industrial and public facilities within Agency boundaries.
• Perform radio dispatching duties that meet standards of performance.
• May dispatch police, sheriff, fire and ambulances and other personnel on both routine and emergency calls.
• May assist in the training of employees.
• Determine and reports the need for equipment repairs.

MINIMUM EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

• Must be 18 years of age
• High school diploma or equivalent
• No felony convictions

BENEFITS

Excellent benefit package includes PERS 2% at 55 retirement, medical, dental, vision and Life. • Attendance and Retention bonuses • The agency does not participate in Social Security. All employees pay 1.4% for Medicare and 1.18% for SDI. • Shift differential is paid at 3% for swing shift and 5% for graveyard shift. Employees may receive training officer pay at 5% when qualified, and may also be eligible for standby premium. • PSD’s belong to the SHASCOM Interagency Communications Employees (SICE) union represented by Teamsters.

• Ability to read, write, spell and speak in clear and concise English
  
• Ability to learn correct telephone answering techniques, policies and procedures
  
• Ability to learn correct public safety dispatching techniques, policies and procedures
  
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
  
• Ability to deal tactfully with the public and others
  
• Ability to work in a confined area and wear a radio headset
  
• Ability to remain calm during emergencies and to obtain relevant information from callers who are in stressful situations
  
• Ability to learn to accurately enter information in the computer system while receiving information by telephone and radio
  
• Ability to pass an intensive police background investigation which will include DMV driving record, financial history, employment history, education and training, illegal conduct (drug use, etc.), personal references.
  
• Ability to learn and interpret maps
  
• Ability to learn radio and other codes used in the creation of computer-aided calls for dispatch
  
• Ability to type at not less than 35 words per minute from clear text
  
• Ability to attend all scheduled work periods including assigned overtime when needed
  
• Ability to work a rotating schedule outside of normal business hours that includes weekends, holidays and nights and overtime

COMPETENCY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of Agency emergency telephone answering and law
  enforcement or other dispatching policies and procedures
  
• Knowledge of primary roads, streets, highways, areas, major buildings and public facilities within the Agencies boundaries
  
• Ability to effectively perform emergency telephone answering and processing duties
  
• Ability to perform as a journey-level dispatcher

LATERAL TRANSFER APPLICANTS

If you are currently a POST-certified Dispatcher, or an experienced 9-1-1 Public Safety dispatcher from outside California, and feel you would qualify for lateral consideration, we welcome your application.

Minimum qualifications for lateral position include: at least 1 year of 9-1-1 call taking and at least 1 year of radio dispatching for law, fire and/ EMS.

The SHASCOM hiring process includes:

• California POST Dispatcher certificate (if you are from out of California or not already a POST Dispatcher certificate holder, you must take the POST Dispatcher test administered by SHASCOM.)
• selection interview with SHASCOM Director
• a complete police background investigation
• a medical screening, and
• psychological exam