Job Description:

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Riverside County Fire Department is seeking candidates for the Fire Communications Dispatcher position in Perris. Dispatchers receive emergency 9-1-1 and non-emergency requests for service from the public and other agencies. Incumbents will operate and control radio dispatching equipment, and dispatch to appropriate County, allied agencies, and other emergency units. Emergency call-taking and dispatching is fast-paced and can be high-stress. The ideal candidate will thrive under pressure, be an expert multi-tasker, and possess strong typing and data entry skills. The Emergency Command Center is a 365 day and 24/7 operation. Selected candidates will be expected to work weekends, holidays, and graveyard and/or swing shift hours. Additionally, unforeseen emergency incidents may necessitate the need for overtime.

The Fire Communications Dispatcher I is a natural progression underfill for the Fire Communications Dispatcher II classification. Incumbents are eligible to promote to the Fire Communications Dispatcher II upon successful completion of their probationary period, which would include a satisfactory performance evaluation and any additional qualification requirements.

Meet the Team!

The Riverside County Fire Department is one of California's largest integrated, cooperative, regional fire protection organizations. The Department, a unique partnership between State of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the County of Riverside, serves 19 partner agencies and 1 community service district. The Department has five core values: Leadership, Competence, Integrity, Safety, and Customer Service.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Operate a variety of communications equipment including radio systems, enhanced 9-1-1, various telephone systems, telecommunications device for the deaf, recording equipment, and computer systems in accordance with Federal Communications Commission regulations, department policy, and standard operating procedures.

• Receive emergency calls and obtain essential information to determine locale and assess urgency, provide instructions, and determine appropriate action to be taken.

• Determine jurisdiction, notify other agencies as required and transfer calls to other agencies when appropriate; dispatch emergency equipment and personnel to various locations to respond to calls; ensure necessary coverage behind deployed assets.

• Transmit information and orders to, and receive messages from County, agency/allied agency, and other emergency units, typing all radio transmissions received and sent.

• Make inquiries to local, state and federal national computer systems to obtain information and data as needed.

• Read and interpret maps to locate emergency incidents, determine jurisdiction, and locate the closest available units; may respond to an emergency in the field with communications equipment and set-up and operate such equipment.

• Participate in call critiques, a variety of training courses, and/or certification sessions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Fire Communications Dispatcher I

$26.28 - $35.57 Hourly

$4,555.41 - $6,165.74 Monthly

$54,664.90 - $73,988.93 Annually

Experience:One year involving a substantial amount of public contact, preferably in a public safety agency.

Fire Communications Dispatcher II

$30.09 - $40.74 Hourly

$5,216.15 - $7,062.36 Monthly

$62,593.86 - $84,748.35 Annually

Experience:One year in the operation of emergency radio dispatch equipment in a fire or civilian law enforcement agency.

Knowledge of: The functions, operations, rules, and regulations of the Fire Department; modern office practices and procedures including filing, recordkeeping and operating standard office equipment; proper English language usage and grammar; the codes, techniques, and procedures in dispatching and operating radio transmitters and receivers, telephones, teletype, teleprocessing equipment, and CAD equipment; Riverside County geography including the location of principle cities, highways, streets, and buildings; applicable regulations of the Federal Communications Commission.

Ability to: Learn the codes, techniques and procedures in dispatching emergency units; operate radio, telephone, Call Director, telecommunications device for the deaf equipment, multi-channel recorders, playback machines, alarm systems, CAD systems, and teleprocessing equipment; accomplish tasks in a controlled and competent manner while working in a stressful environment; follow oral and written directions quickly and accurately; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, law enforcement and fire personnel, and the public; complete assigned clerical tasks with accuracy and speed.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Testing Information

Candidates who are successful during the initial screening process will be required to complete our CritiCall exam.

Previously, our CritiCall exam was offered as an in-person proctored exam, but it is now being offered only as an un-proctored exam for candidates to complete at home. The CritiCall link will be emailed to all candidates within two weeks after the posting deadline. Please continue to check your email (inbox and spam folder) for an email from Test Genius.

We do not accept CritiCall scores from other agencies.

If you have previously tested with Riverside County Fire and have a current passing CritiCall score on file ( within the last 12 months), please email bmathis@rivco.org with the date you completed the exam.

Environmental Conditions

Fire Communications Dispatchers wear headsets to answer emergency and non-emergency calls while viewing multiple computer displays for the duration of their shift. Work is performed primarily in a seated position at ergonomic consoles. The dispatch center is at times a loud, fast-paced, and challenging environment to work in.

Other Requirements

Prior to employment, candidates must successfully complete all steps of the pre-employment process including a background investigation, psychological examination, and medical examination.

Minimally qualified candidates will be required to pass an un-proctored, computerized assessment to be considered for this position.

Veterans' Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy. Upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 (or NGB-22) indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document (s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for the veteran's preference. See the policy here .

Reasonable Accommodations

The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: http://dao.rc-hr.com/ .

What's Next?

This recruitment is open to all applicants.

Applicants who are current County of Riverside employees and/or current employees of the Fire Department may be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of applications received.

Based on the number of applications received, this posting may close without notice.

Contact
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Brittney Mathis at bmathis@rivco.org or 951-955-5358.

GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com . A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable LIUNA Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.

Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

• 
  Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.


• 
  Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.


• 
  Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. As of July 1, 2020, the employee contribution is 7.25% and subject to change annually.
  

A new member is defined as any of the following:

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.

A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".

Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.

Note:

This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.

If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):

0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)

Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.

HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance)

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.

DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.

POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable Memorandum of Understanding.

OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.

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