Police Dispatcher

The City of Galt, located in the heart of California's Central Valley, offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and modern convenience. Known for its friendly community, excellent schools, and beautiful parks, Galt is an ideal place to live, work, and play. Conveniently situated along Highway 99, Galt provides easy access to both Sacramento and the Bay Area, making it a desirable location for families and professionals alike. The city hosts popular events such as the Galt Market, a vibrant open-air market that draws visitors from across the region. With a strong sense of community, affordable housing, and plenty of recreational opportunities, Galt is a growing city that still holds on to its welcoming, hometown feel. Join us in Galt — the Great American Little Town!

ABOUT THE POSITION

**Please note, this recruitment may close without notice once we have received a sufficient number of applicants.

Base Pay 
Effective July 1, 2027:  $32.87 - $40.36

ADDITIONAL PAY (UPON ASSIGNMENT AND ELIGIBILITY):

• Overtime - Paid at time and one-half (1-1/2).
• Bilingual Pay - $100 per month.
• P.O.S.T. Certificate and Education Incentive Pay - 5% - 15%
• Longevity Pay- Beginning at 10 years of service - 5%; 15 years of service - 7.5%.
• Medical-in-lieu - Employees who waive medical coverage shall receive $200 per month for employee only, $350 per month for employee plus one, and $500 per month for family. 

BENEFITS:

• Home Buying Program - $25,000 interest-free loan to assist with the purchase of a home in Galt city limits.
• Tuition Reimbursement - Up to $4,000 per fiscal year.
• Holiday Pay - Employees receive thirteen (13) paid holidays and one (1) floating holiday. (Shift personnel holiday in lieu pay equal to 9.33 hours of pay each month).
• Vacation Leave - 80 hours per year for first 4 years of service, 120 hours after 4 years, 160 hours after 10 years, 200 hours after 15 years, and 240 hours after 22 years. 
• Vacation Credit - Those with 4+ years of prior public agency experience may request to accrue at a rate of 120 hours.
• Vacation Cash Out - Cash out up to forty (40) hours of vacation per year.
• Sick Leave - 96 hours per year.
• Health Insurance - City pays a generous portion of the CalPERS medical premium, including 100% for employee-only health plans. City pays 100% for dental and vision premiums.
• Life Insurance - City pays a $50,000 policy and a $1,500 policy for dependents.
• Long-Term Disability - City-paid policy; benefit is up to 60% of base salary.
• EAP - Confidential employee assistance plan.

GPDCA/REPRESENTED POSITION
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt/Hourly 

Please Note: A candidate must successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, psychological test, credit check, and a drug use history, to be considered for this position.

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, receives 911 police, fire, and medical emergency calls and dispatches Police units following prescribed procedures; answers non-emergency calls for public safety and other City departments; performs a variety of general administrative support duties including record keeping, typing, and filing; and performs related work as required. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from Police Dispatch and Records Supervisor.  Exercises no supervision of staff.  

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This class performs emergency dispatch duties that may involve multiple City departments. Dispatch responsibilities require extensive contact with the public over the telephone, in both emergency and non-emergency situations to receive, transmit and provide factual information.  Dispatching activities must be performed within specified legal guidelines.  

This class is distinguished from the Lead Dispatcher in that the latter is responsible for more complex and higher-level Dispatch work, exercises a higher level of discretion and independent decision-making, and provides technical and functional direction to lower-level dispatch staff. 

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Receives and evaluates police and emergency calls, and related business calls for the City during an assigned portion of the 24-hours-per-day/7-days-per-week Police Department operations; provides information and/or transfers calls to the appropriate department, agency, or response organization; takes messages for Police Department personnel.
• Dispatches public safety emergency units in accordance with established procedures and policies using a computerized dispatch system, including determining priority of emergency and contacting and sending appropriate response unit.
• Maintains contact with field units, including accounting for location and status of units and maintaining records of field calls; sends back-up units as necessary, ensuring the safety of field units.
• Operates computer, telephone, and radio console and telecommunication equipment simultaneously while performing dispatching activities; tests and inspects equipment as assigned.
• Logs call data in a written or automated format; monitors calls after initial dispatch to provide additional coordination, support, or information.
• Enters, updates, and retrieves a variety of records including stolen vehicles and property, vehicle registration information, guns and property, and warranted or missing persons.
• Accesses federal, state, and local law enforcement information databases to obtain information regarding outstanding warrants, criminal history, records information, and vehicle data; relays such information to sworn staff.
• Attends necessary training, shift briefing sessions, participates in drills, and test scenarios to prepare for unexpected emergencies.
• Operates a standard vehicle to travel to multiple locations in order to perform assigned tasks.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies.
• Terminology and procedures used in public safety dispatching.
• Operation of computer-aided communications equipment, including multiple telephone lines and radio systems.
• Principles and practices of data collection and report preparation.
• City and county geography, maps, streets, landmarks, and driving directions.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques to effectively interact with individuals of various ages, socio-economic, and ethnic groups.

Ability to:

• Assess and prioritize emergency situations while remaining calm and using sound, independent judgment.
• Memorize codes, names, street locations, and other information.
• Read and interpret maps and other pertinent documentation.
• Attend to multiple activities simultaneously often in a stressful environment.
• Obtain necessary information from individuals in stressful or emergency situations.
• Compile and summarize information to prepare accurate, clear, and concise reports.
• Organize, maintain, and update office database and records systems.
• Make accurate arithmetic and statistical computations.
• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy.
• Maintain attention to detail and work on a computer for an extended period of time.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software application programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
 
Equivalent to graduation from high school and one (1) year of general clerical experience involving frequent public contact.
 
Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record.
• Possession of a P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatcher certificate within a timeframe specified by the City.
   

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed material and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.  This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.  The principal duties of this class are performed in a police station environment with exposure to criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases. 
 
WORKING CONDITIONS
Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen, and background investigation, including fingerprinting.  May be required to work holidays, weekends, and off-hours shifts.