Police Dispatcher

We're looking for a dedicated and detail-oriented Police Dispatcher (we will train) to join our team. As the first point of contact in emergency situations, you'll play a vital role in keeping our community safe and supporting our officers in the field. This is more than just a job—it's a chance to be part of a supportive, mission-driven workplace where your contributions truly matter. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and a work environment that values professionalism, teamwork, and personal growth.

DESCRIPTION

Performs a variety of duties in support of the City’s emergency systems dispatching operations within the Police Department; evaluates nature of services/information received and determines proper course of action; follows departmental standard operating policies and procedures in carrying out the correct course of action; and performs related work as required.ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receives and responds to incoming 911 emergency and non-emergency telephone and radio calls; elicits information from callers with respect to the nature of the situation; assesses situation and dispatches appropriate units or equipment to handle emergency and non-emergency calls for assistance.
• Responds to requests from patrol units with respect to a variety of required information; uses computer system to request information from other local, regional or national law enforcement agencies to respond to officer’s requests.
• During emergency responses, maintains contact with local units on assignment and with personnel from other law enforcement agencies until situation is resolved.
• Operates a variety of specialized computer systems in the performance of duties; enters and retrieves data; maintains a variety of logs and records.
• Within established guidelines, provides information on emergency services operations and activities to members of the public.
• Ensures all work-related actions and responses taken are compliant with the standard operating policies and procedures established by the Department.
• Compiles data and prepares reports of calls for service, equipment dispatched, and disposition of calls for assistance.
• Performs data entry, citation entry or other clerical duties.
• May attend public meetings for presentations on police/dispatch functions.
• May serve as matron, performing searches of suspects in custody, and performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES
To qualify for this position, an individual must possess a combination of experience, education, and/or training that would likely produce the knowledge, and abilities required to perform the work as follows:
Education: Equivalent to a High School Diploma or GED.
Experience: Two (2) years of full-time clerical experience involving substantial public contact, preferably in a police or fire department.  Bilingual in Spanish is highly desirable. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of a municipal police department.
• Operational characteristics and use of specialized police operations computer applications including computer aided dispatch systems, and local, regional and national criminal justice systems. 
• Standard operating policies and procedures used by the Department for emergency and non-emergency response situations.
• Methods and techniques of eliciting critical information from distressed callers in time of crisis.
• Recordkeeping methods and procedures.
• Methods and techniques of conducting searches of individuals in custody.
• Methods and techniques of providing quality customer service to City staff and members of the public.
• Modern office administrative procedures, including the use of standard office equipment. 
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. 
• Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances and regulations related to assigned area of responsibility.

Ability to:

• Speak English and use translation services when necessary. 
• Type 45 words or more per minute as verified by a typing test.
• Evaluate the nature of non-emergency and emergency calls and dispatch appropriate units.
• Remain calm, act quickly, and use good judgment in emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Effectively operate computer aided dispatch system rooms, 9-1-1 telephone and radio equipment.
• Read and interpret manuals and codes related to work performed.
• Compile information and maintain records.
• Work a variety of shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy. 
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Use sound, independent judgment within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

LICENSE, CERTIFICATE, AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:
Some positions require the possession of, or the ability to obtain and retain, a California Class C driver’s license by the time of appointment.  Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability or personal choice will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Must successfully complete a 120-hour P.O.S.T. Basic Public Safety Dispatcher course within 12 months of hire.