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Public Safety Dispatcher

City of Alameda | CA

Posted Date 8/26/2025
Description The Public Safety Dispatcher performs non-sworn police work and support duties involved in public safety dispatch and communications; receives emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatches assignments according to established procedures; performs other related work as required. This is a specialized non-sworn class that provides technical communications support and computer information processing in support of emergency service provision including police, animal control, parking enforcement, limited public works functions, and other City services.

Posted Salary Includes:

Base Salary: $39.09 - $47.48 per hour
Holiday In-Lieu Pay: $3.33 - $4.04 per hour
Total Hourly Pay: $42.42 - $51.52

Total Annual Pay: $88,233.60 - $107,161
4-day work schedule (10 hours per day)

Work schedules are determined by seniority and include nights, holidays, and weekends.

CritiCall or ECOMM Exam Requirement:
Please note, in order to move forward in the selection process, applicants who are not laterally transferring from a different agency are required to have a passing CritiCall Exam or ECOMM Exam score dated within one year of your application date. Please read the "Selection Process" section below for more information on how to register for the exam.

Lateral Transfers
We welcome applications from currently employed Dispatchers interested in laterally transferring from another agency. Lateral transfers do not need to submit a CritiCall or ECOMM Exam score.

Please read the remainder of the job announcement carefully and if you have any questions, contact Lisa Llewellyn, HR Analyst at lllewellyn@alamedaca.gov or 510-747-4914.

The following list of duties is intended only to describe the various types of work that may be performed and the level of technical complexity of the assignment(s) and is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties. The omission of a specific duty statement does not exclude it from the position if the work is consistent with the concept of the classification or is similar or closely related to another duty statement.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Essential Duties

  1. Dispatches emergency and non-emergency police personnel in response to calls for service; receives information, questions and requests for service; determines nature and priority of calls for service, routes calls as needed and dispatches appropriate units for response.
  2. Handles inquiries involving public emergencies; recognizes sensitive information and handles; accordingly, provides information to field units, other agencies and the public.
  3. Alerts other agencies and coordinates mutual response radio traffic and information distribution.
  4. Operates computer aided dispatch system and other telecommunications devices; performs routine equipment testing, upkeep and maintenance.
  5. Operates computer equipment using designated systems and programs such as word processing, desktop publishing, databases and spreadsheets; makes inquiries and entries through local, State and Federal computer information systems.
  6. Sends, receives and routes a variety of law enforcement reports, warrants and other materials.
  7. Reviews and records case information; maintains logs and records including automated record files; prepares reports and other related forms and records.
  8. May assist in training new dispatchers and participate in various Police Department activities
    and operations as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS
  • Indoor office environment.
  • Ambient office sounds and noises such as speaking, working office equipment and software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  • Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard.
  • Seeing to read a variety of materials.
  • Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
  • Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations.
Possession of the employment standards does not assure advancement to the Examination or placement on the Eligible List. This is a competitive examination where a candidate's performance in the Examination will be judged in comparison with the core competencies required of the job. To be considered, applications should possess the combination of education and experience necessary to provide the required knowledge and abilities for the position. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Experience
Any combination equivalent to education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: Graduation from high school.

Experience: Two years of full-time work experience involving public contact, computer usage, and/or heavy telephone traffic. Experience in public safety, or dealing with stressful, multi-task-oriented situations is highly desirable.

Other Requirements
  1. Passing CritiCall Exam or ECOMM score dated within 1 year of application (lateral transfers from other agencies do not need to submit) (see below).
  2. Ability to obtain a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate within one year of employment.
  3. Willingness and/or ability to work rotating shifts , including nights, holidays and weekends; work on an on-call basis; work irregular duty assignments; wear a uniform and safety equipment; work outside in inclement weather; work under undesirable and hazardous conditions; conform to department grooming standards; successfully pass a background investigation; work alone; attend educational sessions as required; travel out of town for one day or more.
  4. Candidates considered for appointment must successfully pass job related post offer, pre-employment medical and psychological examinations including a drug screening, and have vision correctable to 20/30 and normal color vision and hearing. Incumbents must demonstrate a state of physical and mental health consistent with the ability to perform assigned duties.
  5. Selected positions require possession of a valid California Driver's License and satisfactory driving record as a condition of initial and continued employment.

Knowledge
Knowledge of organization and functions of a municipal law enforcement agency; modern office practices and procedures; application of modern computer technology including designated operating programs and software.

Ability
Ability to effectively coordinate the work of safety enforcement personnel in the field; assess and prioritize emergency situations; make rapid and sound independent judgements in stressful emergency situations; perform clerical work and basic mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy; operate computer equipment, a variety of office equipment and specialized police department equipment including computerized telecommunications and dispatch equipment; read, interpret, apply and explain various codes, regulations, manuals, maps, etc.; establish and maintain accurate records; prepare reports; communicate effectively; act with resourcefulness, courtesy and initiative; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the general public.

Typing Skill
Ability to type from clear printed copy at a speed of 35 net words per minute.

How to Apply:
  1. Click the "Apply" link and submit a completed job application online. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of an official, completed online City Application. If you have a passing CritiCall exam score from within the past 1 year, attach it to your application.
  2. If you do not have a CritiCall Exam or ECOMM Exam score (and are not currently employed as a Dispatcher), submit your application and then register for the next test. Email your score to lllewellyn@alamedaca.gov once it is received, we will attach your score to your application. A passing CritiCall Exam or ECOMM Exam score dated within one year of this recruitment deadline is required.
  3. The CritiCall Exam is administered at the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium in San Jose. Space is limited, so please sign up as soon as possible. There is a fee of $77 to take the test. To sign up for the CritiCall Exam, click here: Pre-Employment Testing and Training - The Academy. To learn more about the CritiCall test, click here http://criticall911.com/dispatcher-testing/applicants/
  4. We will also accept CritiCall Exam scores from other agencies who offer the exam, so long as you tested within the past 1 year. You may email your score to lllewellyn@alamedaca.gov in lieu of taking the exam at the South Bay Regional Center.
  5. The ECOMM Exam is administered by the National Testing Network online or in person at a variety of locations. There is a fee of $46.00 to take the test. To learn more and sign up for the ECOMM Exam, click here National Testing Network

Selection Process
Structured Oral Board Interview: Qualified applicants will be invited to an oral board interview. The Panel will conduct a comprehensive review of each candidate's technical knowledge and overall suitability for the position.

Background Investigation: The Police Department conducts a comprehensive background investigation of personal history on all potential candidates, which may include but is not limited to:
• A polygraph
• A criminal history check consisting of a fingerprint check with the California Department of Justice and FBI
• A drug history check (certain drug usage may result in an automatic disqualification)
• A credit history check
• Interviews with previous and past employers and co-workers
• Present and past neighborhood checks
• Education verification
• Driving record check
• Checks with Law Enforcement agencies in the area you live
• Military history (if applicable)

After a conditional job offer is made, a City-paid medical examination and psychological evaluation are also conducted.

Federal law requires that, prior to employment, you must furnish proof of your identity and eligibility for employment in the United States, such as driver's license, original Social Security card, US passport, or appropriate INS forms, etc.

E-VERIFY: The City of Alameda utilized the Federal government's E-Verify program and new employees must provide documentation to establish both identity and work authorization, which includes showing a valid United States Social Security card at the time of hire (photocopies not accepted).

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE CREDIT: A job applicant qualifies as a veteran if honorably discharged from active military, reservist, or National Guard duty of at least 18 consecutive months within the past five (5) years of the date of application. In case of discharge attributable to service-connected injuries or illnesses, the 18-month active-duty requirement need not be fulfilled. An applicant claiming veteran's preference credit must attach to their application, a legible copy of their DD214 verifying the type of discharge and date(s) of active service. NO OTHER DOCUMENTATION WILL BE ACCEPTED.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The City of Alameda is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. In compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations, the City of Alameda will employ and promote qualified individuals without regard to disability. The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process must do so no later than the final filing date for receipt of applications, otherwise it may not be possible to arrange accommodations for the selection process. Such requests should be addressed to the Human Resources Department l 1-510-747-4900 l hr@alamedaca.gov l 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Room 290, alameda, CA 94501. requests can be made via email, phone, or in writing via U.S. mail.

The information contained herein is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
Salary80,140.32 - 97,325.28 Annual
Field
Police
Highest Educational Degree Required
High school diploma

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