Career Opportunity

Fire Alarm Dispatcher- The Department of Technology-8234- [117712]

Recruitment: RTF0119477-01130531

Published: June 30, 2023

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

Why Work for the Department of Technology (DT)? The Department of Technology (DT) is the centralized technology services provider in CCSF. We deliver technology infrastructure and services to approximately 33,000 employees! With an annual operating budget of over $140M and approximately 260 employees, DT provides a host of services that includes:

People-Centered Solutions: Working for San Francisco, you can have a powerful, meaningful effect on the community every day. When we solve problems, people are the heart of every solution!

Benefits of Working for CCSF:  In addition to challenging and rewarding work, the City provides a generous suite of benefits to its employees.

• Job security, pension, and robust retirement options
• Competitive pay with consistent bi-yearly or yearly increases
• Generous paid time off, family leave, and more!
• Diverse work environment in a diverse city
• Union protections and representation
• Career development and growth — move between departments, learn on the job, or take subsidized/reimbursed classes!

CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE — bring the benefits of the internet to low-income and marginalized residents!

DRIVE INNOVATION — deliver new, cutting-edge technology to residents and city partners to help San Francisco serve its residents!

THIS IS A POSITION-BASED TEST CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CSC RULE 111A. 

• Application Opening: 6/30/2023
• Annual Deadline: 7/7/2023 
• Recruitment ID: # 117712 

Work location: Incumbent will conduct the majority of work at the Department of Technology, Public Safety Division, 200 Paul Ave. However, there may be situations where the incumbent will be required to work at other sites throughout the City of San Francisco. 

Working hours: 24/7, (Mornings, Afternoons, Nights), including all Holidays. 

Role description

Under general supervision, is responsible for dispatching fire apparatus and other equipment in cases of fires or emergencies and is responsible for maintaining routine records of fire calls and the movement of fire apparatus and similar emergency equipment. 

Examples of Important and Essential Duties:

• Receives reports of fires and other public safety emergencies and dispatches appropriate supervisor through the use of telephone radio and video communication.
• Receives box alarms and transfers to San Francisco Fire Department radio dispatch; transmits extra alarms or requests for special apparatuses.
• Makes regular tests of all fire box and alarm circuits; uses line testing equipment in conjunction with two-way radio for detecting location of circuit faults; dispatches repair staff to locate and repair breakdowns in fire alarm circuits.
• Maintains station log of all activities during assigned shift.
• Monitors civil defense and outdoor public warning system; operates the siren attack warning system in the event of an emergency or enemy action that may warrant this operation; and activates the outdoor public warning systems as required for general public announcements.
• Monitors audio and video feedback from burglar and fire alarm devices on City property and facilities for police, fire, and ambulatory dispatch as needed; monitors various video camera system circuits and reports faults and emergencies.
• Receives trouble complaints for street lighting and traffic signals and dispatches appropriate staff.

How to qualify

Experience: One (1) year of experience in a public contact position providing or soliciting information by telephone or radio (such as positions with heavy public contact in answering complaints, telephone operations, or dispatching work)

License: Possession of a valid California driver license.

Note(s):

• One-year full-time employment is considered equivalent to 2000 hours (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.
• A valid out-of-state driver’s license is acceptable during the application process. A valid California driver's license must be obtained prior to appointment and maintained throughout employment.
• Applicants must meet minimum qualification requirements by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.
• Medical Testing: Prior to appointment, eligible candidates must successfully pass the TB testing process.
• Criminal Justice Information Services [CJIS] may be required: SECURITY CLEARANCES AND BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Positions in this classification may require that successful candidates who become eligible for appointment may be required to go through a background investigation to determine the candidate’s suitability for employment in this classification. Factors considered in the investigation may include employment history, use of illegal/controlled substances. Reasons for rejection based on this investigation may include, but not limited to: applicable convictions, repeated or serious violations of the law, inability to accept supervision, inability to follow rules and regulations, falsification of application materials and/or other relevant factors. Failure to obtain and maintain security clearance may be basis for termination.

Verification:
“Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements”

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

SELECTION PROCEDURE/EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ):
Candidates will be required to complete a MQSQ as part of the employment application. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.  It is very important that you complete and submit this questionnaire by the deadline. Incomplete or late submittals may result in your disqualification from further consideration. 

Oral Examination (Weight 100%):
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be sent an Oral Examination via electronic mail after the closing of this filing period. The Oral Examination is designed to measure the knowledge, skills and/or abilities in job-related areas required for the position 8234 Fire Alarm Dispatcher designed to measure their relative knowledge, skills and abilities in job-related areas, which may include, but not be limited to: Ability to follow oral and written instruction; maintain ordinary operating records; make quick decisions and use good judgment in the handling of fire alarms and the dispatching of appropriate equipment, operation of a telegraph key and fire alarm and radio dispatching equipment. Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of fire alarm and telegraph Equipment; city streets and fire company locations; The American Morse Code. 

This computer-administered test can be taken at home or at a time and location of one’s convenience, but only within the time period specified on the test notification. Candidates must have access to a computer and reliable internet connection to participate in this examination.”

A passing score must be achieved on the written examination in order to be ranked on the eligible list.

What else should I know?

Eligible List/Score Report:
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be 6 months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

To find Departments which use this classification, please see https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/Forms-Documents/Position-Counts-by-Job-Codes-and-Department-FY-2021-22.pdf.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov.

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.]

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

HOW TO APPLY:
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.sf.gov and begin the application process.

• Select the “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst at [Aarti.Lata@sfgov.org].

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.