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Downtown San Jose skyline looking south

 

THE COMMUNITY

San Jose is the third largest city in California, 11th in the nation, with a population of 920,000. Known as the "Capital of Silicon Valley," San Jose is home to 40% of the area's advanced technology companies. San Jose has long been recognized as the safest large city in the United States, and one of the 10 best cities in which to live and do business.

San Jose is known for its cultural and recreational activities, including its new Repertory Theater, Civic Light Opera, San Jose Ballet, and the San Jose Arena, which is home to the Sharks, a National Hockey League team. The City has numerous museums, theme parks, active trail systems and gardens, an extensive parks and recreation system, and community service programs for residents and visitors. San Jose is also within driving distance of well-known vacation spots, such as Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Monterey and Carmel, San Francisco, Santa Cruz Beach & Boardwalk and the beautiful Northern California shoreline.

San Jose has an outstanding K-12 public school system. Secondary educational institutions in the area include San Jose Sate University, Santa Clara University, California State University—Hayward and Stanford University. Also, there are numerous community colleges that supplement educational opportunities.

THE COMMUNICATIONS CENTERNational Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch

The San Jose Fire Department Communications Center is recognized as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) by the National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch. Only 75 communication centers worldwide have earned this honor.

San Jose Fire Communications has 42 personnel: 29 Public Safety Dispatchers, 8 Senior PSDs, 3 Supervising PSDs, one Senior Office Specialist and one Communications Manager (Battalion Chief).

To meet the needs of its large population The San Jose Fire Communications Center has a state of the art dispatch center. Systems include:

  • New Intergraph Computer Aided Dispatch system.
  • Fully computerized Positron "Power 911" telephone system.
  • Sit or stand dispatch work stations.
  • Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) to provide pre-arrival instructions for medical emergencies, resulting in "zero response time".

PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER

The Fire Public Safety Dispatcher I position is the entry-level step towards becoming a Fire Public Safety Dispatcher II. The primary responsibility of a Fire PSD I is to answer and process emergency and non-emergency calls for service. The PSD II position dispatches calls for service via radio.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Education: Successful completion of high school, GED, or California Proficiency Certificate.
  • Successful completion of an intensive background investigation.
  • U.S. Citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States upon appointment.

PSD I Experience: One year of public contact employment. This experience can consist of any combination of work experience or volunteer experience.

PSD II Experience: One year of current journey-level fire, medical and/or police dispatcher or call taker experience.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

  • Excellent Salary
  • 6.09% in lieu of holiday pay is added to base salary
  • Shift differential payment
  • $500.00 annual uniform allowance
  • Medical, Dental and Vision plans
  • 96 hours annual sick leave
  • City of San Jose Retirement

 

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