Lateral Communications Operator (Part-Time)

Job Title

The La Habra Police Department is seeking a highly motivated, customer service-oriented and dedicated individual to serve as the Lateral Communications Operator Part-Time.

This position requires a typing certificate with a passing score of 40 NWPM. Applications without a valid typing certificate will not be considered. Only those candidates meeting "lateral requirements" will continue in the selection process.

The City of La Habra is a vibrant Southern California community, strategically located in the northwest corner of Orange County. Today the City is home to a population of over 63,000 residents within La Habra's 7.3 square miles. A friendly and diverse community, La Habra is conveniently located within an hour's drive of many beaches, mountains, and desert recreation areas. The City is known for the Corn Festival, Citrus Fair, Tamale Festival and the jewel of La Habra, its Children's Museum. While the City has planned for and encourages measured growth, it retains a small town feel and lives up to its heritage as "A Caring Community."

Since 1925, the La Habra Police Department has been dedicated to providing the residents of this community with a safe environment in which to live and work. This commitment to service is a tradition upheld by the men and women who serve La Habra and is reflected in all aspects of the department's day-to-day operations. In addition to the regular duties of traffic and law enforcement, the La Habra Police Department strives to assess the needs of the City and, working in partnership with area residents, successfully address those concerns.

Under general supervision of the Communications Operator Supervisor, the Lateral Communications Operator Part-Time receives and transmits emergency and non-emergency calls from the public requesting police and other emergency services; maintains contact with all units on assignment; documents calls for service on a computer aided dispatch system; and provides general information to the public. This position is assigned to the Police Communications Center, which is a 24-hour, seven days per week operation, requiring shift coverage. Communications Operators must work assigned shifts and must be proficient at multi-tasking. There is a high expectation placed on the accuracy and speed of information gathering and the maturity in decision making.

Examples of Duties

The following duties represent the principal job duties; however, they are not all inclusive.) Receives calls, complaints, and inquiries from the public for police or other emergency services over the phone. Screens incoming calls to determine priority resources, and types of response required in accordance with established procedures. Simultaneously receives, responds and documents information from multiple sources while maintaining accuracy in order to relay information to responding personnel. Proficiently handles multiple tasks and events simultaneously. Communicates clearly, concisely, and possesses effective listening skills. Responsibly relays confidential information with accuracy back to the field personnel. Performs general clerical work in support of communication activities. Conducts various data entry functions as directed by supervision. Maintains contact with other cities or agencies for cooperative emergency operations. Works holidays, weekends, day, night, and graveyard shifts as assigned and required. Performs related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

Qualifying Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities : Knowledge of : Principles, practices and procedures involved in public safety communications work. Geography of the City and the location of streets and important buildings. Operation of radio / telephone receiving and transmitting equipment. Skill and Ability to : Accurately record and retain data given orally. Communicate effectively orally in highly stressful situations. Speak clearly and precisely. Accurately read and interpret maps. Handle simultaneous calls. Listen and comprehend radio calls while talking on the phone. Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations. Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens. Exercise independent judgment. Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships. Type accurately at a moderate speed. Train others in the use of communication equipment.

Education and Experience : Any combination of education and experience that would provide the qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position. High School diploma or equivalent is required. One year of experience performing typing and clerical duties, demonstrated ability to function under stress, and the ability to handle several tasks simultaneously. Must be able to type 40 net words per minute (a typing certificate is required). Certificates from the Internet testing services and / or home computer CD testing will NOT be accepted. Operators work various shifts that include a three / four-month rotation of days, swing and graveyard shifts, weekends, holidays, and shift holdovers. Shift assignments may consist of 12 hours a day on varying circumstances. The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Operators are required to work various shifts as assigned; Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and / or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard to enter data; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Vision : See in the normal visual range with or without correction to operate a visual display terminal for extended periods of time, sometimes without the ability to move at will. Hearing : Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. Environment : Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting. Exposure to high frequency noise. Special Conditions Public Employee Disaster Service Worker : In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all La Habra City employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster. The City of La Habra is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age veteran status or disability.