Communications Operator II/III

Job Description:

Communications Operator II/III

Description

Description

THE AGENCY
The General Services Agency (GSA) is comprised of Fleet Services, Facilities, Procurement, Special Services, Parks, Security, and Business Support and is responsible for a broad spectrum of services to all the County departments and agencies. It requires a very diverse workforce to accomplish the GSA mission of contributing to the quality of life in Ventura County by partnering with their customers to provide expertise and cost-effective service delivery, and foster the preservation of natural resources.
THE POSITION
Under general supervision, this individual will operate a variety of communications equipment to receive, evaluate and route requests for information, service and repairs by paging or dispatching the appropriate parties involved; and performs other duties as assigned.

The Communications Operator II applies knowledge of operational rules and regulations and exercises independent judgement in planning, coordinating and dispatching in-house manpower/resources in response to the service requests. Incumbents typically perform a variety of journey level duties associated with the operation of a centralized maintenance/operational dispatching center.

The Communications Operator III applies knowledge of agency/department operational rules and regulations, terminologies, equipment, operations and exercise considerable degree of independent judgment in responding to routine calls for information, services and repairs by paging or dispatching the appropriate parties involved. These classifications are characterized by the advanced journey level responsibility to dispatch constant communication between County personnel, outlying stationary/mobile units and outside agencies/departments.

PAYROLL TITLES AND APPROXIMATE SALARIES:
Communications Operator II: $21.00 - $27.09 Hourly
Communications Operator III: $22.12 - $32.49 Hourly

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further exam upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

WHAT WE OFFER
The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• Merit Increases - New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.
• Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
• Vacation Accrual - New regular, full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation a year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service.
• Sick Leave - Full time regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per bi-weekly pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods.
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3.00% match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Health Plans-Full time employees are given a flexible credit allowance to offset the purchase of medical, dental, and/or vision insurance for you and your dependents.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental and vision care and/or dependent care expenses.
• Pension Plan - Participation in the County's defined benefit pension plan, which has reciprocity with CalPERS.
• Holidays - 12 paid days per year which, includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Additional Benefits - Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Wellness Program.

Communications Operator II/III are represented by the Service Employees' International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further exam upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

To learn more about benefits, please follow the link below:

https://vcportal.ventura.org/CEO/HR/MOA/docs/SEIU_MOA_2022-2025.pdf

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Receives maintenance/operational service request via telephone, email communication and asset management system;
• Evaluates requests for priority and type of response required;
• Generates various reports, including work order reports, employee pass down reports, and shift activity reports, and dispatches in-house personnel/resources based on priority and safety considerations.
• Provides general information to callers regarding County offices, hours of operation, dialing information and instructions, toll free numbers and personnel directories as well as explains applicable ordinances, policies and procedures to callers; elicits clarifying information from the requestor.
• Assists in updates of County Telephone Directory and information on state, county, federal and local agencies and organizations; maintains records of workload statistics and department chargeable calls.
• Operates a two-way radio to monitor the work progress of field personnel throughout the County and provides back-up support and information as necessary.
• Monitors and maintains radio communication status with field personnel; enters and updates field unit, apparatus, and incident status information in computer system; obtains information and requests additional assistance from various agencies as necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on the eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Some (Level II) to considerable (Level III) experience in radio dispatching or a related field which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The required knowledge, skills and abilities also can be obtained by:

• Level II: Six (6) months of experience in radio dispatching OR general office work involving extensive public contact in person or over the phone OR six (6) months of experience as a Communications Operator I in the Ventura County Government.
• Level III: Twelve (12) months of experience in dispatching OR six (6) months of experience as a Communications Operator II in the Ventura County Government.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Some (Level II) to thorough (Level III) knowledge of agency/department terminology and code systems.

Some (Level II) to working (Level III) skills in the operation of radio dispatching equipment and computer keyboard.

Some (Level II) to working (Level III) ability to:

• remember telephone numbers, names and places frequently called.
• speak over the radio/telephone quickly and clearly.
• communicate effectively.
• perform several functions simultaneously.
• hear in the presence of significant noise.
• follow directions precisely.
• collect and analyze data to establish, evaluate and identify needs.
• organize and prioritize work assignments.
• react calmly in a stressful situation and adopt an efficient and effective course of action.
• interpret and apply regulations and policies governing dispatch program operations.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE
This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

To apply online, please refer to our website at www.ventura.org/jobs . If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.

Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application; however, it/they may not be substituted in lieu of the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying
All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying
All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.

ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%
A job-related oral examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating examinees' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Examinees must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

NOTE: If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an examination may not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill present and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent and Extra Help vacancies for this and similar positions only. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy in the General Services Agency.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.For further information about this recruitment, please contact Chinna Nahabedian by e-mail at Chinna.Nahabedian@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 654-2458.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

Service Employees International Union (LOCAL 721)

(SEIU)

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ's
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes: UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ,UPT, UWS

Salary:

$43,680.00 - $67,579.20 Annually