Police Communications Dispatcher

Salary: $24.48 Hourly
Location : 315 S. SANTA ROSA, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78207, TX
Job Type: 4A Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-01344
Department: Police
Opening Date: 09/09/2026
Closing Date: 9/17/2026 11:59 PM Central
Grant Funded: No
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt


Job Summary


Under general supervision, is responsible for performing technical and administrative radio communications involving the deployment of police personnel according to request for service and available manpower. Working conditions are primarily in an office environment. Exercises no supervision.

Work Location
Public Safety Headquarters - 315 S. Santa Rosa, San Antonio, TX (78207)

Training location may be different:
1st Reporting Day: McCreless Storefront, 3850 S. New Braunfels, Suite 110 San Antonio, TX (78223)

Work Hours
Classroom hours are 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday; followed by on the job training which will mirror hours of assigned OJT Trainer, will include day, evenings, overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays.


In this position you are a First Responder and expected to assist and support 911 operations during natural disasters, manmade disasters, terrorism, extreme weather, and civil emergencies. The 911 Public Safety Answering Point is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to support emergency operations for the City of San Antonio. Because of this you may be required to work mandatory overtime and outside of your staff hours as needed in emergency situations.
Essential Job Functions

• Maintains communications with Police Department personnel and provides necessary support to field personnel via police radio, telephone, computer and MDT's.
• Deploys field personnel according to need and priority of the request for service.
• Maintains constant status of field units and updates dispatch information utilizing the computer assisted dispatch systems.
• Runs vehicle registration and stolen vehicle checks.
• Runs warrants and missing person checks on subjects.
• Calls complainant and alarm companies back for further information.
• Orders wreckers, wagons, etc. as needed.
• Sets up quadrants and coordinates with other field units such as K-9, Foxtrot, and SWAT as needed.
• Uses SIMs Unit to alert, disable, regroup and identify radios.
• Operates computer keyboard and radio console equipment.
• Elicits, remembers, and accurately records vital information using police codes.
• Verifies driver's license identity, or vehicle ownership for patrol officers.
• Performs related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required.

Job Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent (recognized by the Texas Education Agency or a regional accrediting agency).
• One (1) year experience in public contact either in person or by telephone.
• Applicants for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, the following will result in being disqualified for this position: Felony Convictions, Felony Deferred Adjudication, Class A & B Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication, Class B Misdemeanor Convictions, an Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor), and Family Violence Convictions.
• Must obtain TCOLE Telecommunicator Certification within one (1) year of employment.
• Must obtain TCIC/NCIC, Full Access Certification within six (6) months of employment.
• Must pass Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) background and maintain CJIS eligibility.
• Must meet the minimum requirements established by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement for Telecommunicators.

State mandated eligibility for this position requires the following, in part:

• Applicants must meet and maintain the Telecommunicator Licensing requirements set forth by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).
• Applicants who have been issued a Telecommunicator License by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement at any point, must be in good standing and have an eligible license, ready for appointment to the San Antonio Police Department.
• Applicants must remedy any TCOLE License deactivations or suspensions before their start date.
• TCOLE Licensing Requirements include a significant background check.
• Applicants must be a United States Citizen or United States Naturalized Citizen.
• Possess an Honorable discharge from branch of Military in which applicant served, if applicable.
• Applicants must pass a Fingerprint based Criminal Justice Information System background check meeting the requirements from the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
• Must not have a Conviction of a Class B Misdemeanor in the last ten years. From the date of conviction.
• Must not have a Conviction of a Class A Misdemeanor or above.
• Must not have a conviction of family violence.
• Juvenile convictions are healed to the same standard as adult convictions.
• Out of stat convictions are healed to the Texas equivalent.
• Submit to a background investigation as required by state law.
• Provide truthful and accurate information at all times during the application process.
• Any dishonesty found during the application process will result in an automatic disqualification and deem applicant permanently unsuitable for hire at any other time.
• A full list of requirements can be found on

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year experience as an Emergency Services Dispatcher and/or 911 Call Taker, or One (1) year of experience in a high call volume contact center.
• Ability to pass the online TEEX State Telecommunicator Licensing Course within the first year of employment.
• Ability to type 35 words per minute.
• Experience in law enforcement.

Applicant Information

• Unless otherwise stated, applicants are permitted to substitute two years of related full-time experience for one year of higher education or one year of related higher education for two years of experience in order to meet the minimum requirements of the job. One year of full-time experience is defined as 30 or more hours worked per week for 12 months. One year of higher education is defined as 30 credit hours completed at an accredited college or university.
• Applicants selected for employment with the City of San Antonio in this position must receive satisfactory results from pre-employment drug testing and background checks. If required for the position, a physical, motor vehicle record evaluation, and additional background checks may be conducted.
• Please be advised that if selected for this position, information regarding employment history as it relates to the qualifications of the position will be needed for employment verification. Applicants claiming military service to meet the experience requirement for this position may attach a DD214 to the application.
• If selected for this position, official transcripts, diplomas, certifications, and licenses must be submitted at the time of processing. Unofficial transcripts and copies of other relevant documents may be attached to the application for consideration in advance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of basic telephone techniques and public relations.
• Ability to learn dispatch office procedures, practices and equipment.
• Ability to learn geographic features and streets within area served and utilize this information by providing understandable directions to requested locations.
• Ability to learn applicable departmental procedures and policies related to proper police response, emergencies, etc.
• Ability to learn various types of computer formats and codes necessary to access, manipulate and relay information.
• Ability to learn standard radio broadcasting procedures.
• Ability to work under pressure, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Ability to operate dispatch and office equipment.
• Ability to perform all the physical requirements of the position, with or without accommodations.

Benefits Information
The City of San Antonio (CoSA) strives to provide a competitive compensation and benefit package to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce. To accomplish this, CoSA offers subsidized health care benefits for active and retired employees, paid disability benefits, paid life insurance, as well as automatic participation in a pension program which is currently matched two to one.

For more detailed information, please click on the following link to view Benefits offered by the City of San Antonio:

Note:

• Part-Time, Temporary, and non-City positions are not eligible for CoSA Benefits.
• Holiday and Leave benefits for Pre-K 4 SA positions may be different than what is listed at the above link.

Additional Information
The City Of San Antonio is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. This means that the City does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex (gender), age, disability, national origin, genetic information, or sexual orientation. All individuals are encouraged to apply and compete for jobs with the City of San Antonio.

If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to a disability, please contact the so that accommodations may be made to meet your needs. Our telephone number is View phone number on click.appcast.io and our fax number is View phone number on click.appcast.io.
01


Are you a current regular full time or part time CoSA employee?

• Yes - I am a Full Time City Employee.
• Yes - I am a Part Time City Employee.
• No - I am not a Full Time or Part Time City Employee.

02


Are you a veteran or active member of the armed forces?

• Yes
• No

03


Are you a San Antonio Ready to Work Program (SAR2W) or Train for Jobs San Antonio Program (TfJSA) participant?

• Yes - SA Ready to Work Program
• Yes - Train for Jobs SA Program
• Yes - Both Programs
• No

04


What best describes your highest level of education at the end of the current semester?

• Some High School
• High School Diploma or GED recognized by the Texas Education Agency or a regional accrediting agency
• 30+ completed semester hours (credits) from an accredited college or university
• 60+ completed semester hours (credits) from an accredited college or university
• Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university
• 90+ completed semester hours (credits) from an accredited college or university
• 120+ completed semester hours (credits) from an accredited college or university
• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university
• PhD, JD, or other Post Graduate Degree from an accredited college or university
• None of the above

05


How many years of experience in public contact either in person or by telephone do you have?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 years
• 7 years
• 8 years
• 9 years
• 10 years +

06


How many years of experience do you have in law enforcement?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years +

07


Do you have at least one (1) year experience as an Emergency Services Dispatcher and/or 911 Call Taker, or one (1) year of experience in a high call volume contact center?

• Yes
• No

08


Can you type at least 35 words per minute?

• Yes
• No

09


Describe a time that you were unclear about a customer's request. What steps did you take to clarify things? If you do not have experience, answer "N /A".
10


Give an example of a time in your professional work experience, where you had to make an immediate decision. What was the situation, how did you approach it , and what was the end result? If you do not have experience, answer "N/A".
11


I understand that I must obtain TCLOSE Telecommunicator Certification within one (1) year of employment.

• Yes
• No

12


I understand that I must obtain TCIC/NCIC, Full Access Certification within six (6) months of employment.

• Yes
• No

13


I understand that I must meet the minimum requirements established by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement for Telecommunicators.

• Yes
• No

14


I understand that the Police Communications Dispatcher position has requirements which are state mandated for eligibility.

• Yes
• No

15


I understand that in order to be qualified and considered for the Police Communications Dispatcher position, I must meet all eligibility standards associated with the state mandated requirements.

• Yes
• No

16


I understand this position requires that I work days, evenings, weekends, holidays and possibly rotating shifts.

• Yes
• No

17


I understand for this position I must pass the online TEEX State Telecommunicator Licensing Course within the first year of employment. I understand the department will provide funding for the first attempt of the course. Should I fail to meet the minimum requirements of the course, I understand that I will be required to pay for additional attempts.

• I understand.

18


I acknowledge for this position I must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, the following will result in being disqualified for this position: 1) Felony Convictions, 2) Felony Deferred Adjudication, 3) Class A & B Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication, 4) Class B Misdemeanor Convictions, 5) Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor), and 5) Family Violence Convictions.

• I acknowledge.

19


I understand that I will be required to fill out a Personal History Statement and I agree to provide honest and thorough answers. I understand I will be required to produce supporting documentation as requested such as proof of citizenship, high school and collage transcripts, DD214, and supporting court documentation. It is my understanding that due to the sensitive nature of the position I am applying for as Civilian Police Department employee, a thorough background investigation will be required. The background investigation will review all aspects of my personal history such as financial responsibility, employment history, and previous contact with any police agency. I will provide the names, dates and locations of any other Law Enforcement agencies I have previously applied with. I also understand that any information that I purposely omit from the personal history statement will automatically disqualifies me from further consideration for employment with this agency. Note: Applicant is to report any and all police contact regardless if applicant is the reporting subject, subject of the investigation, victim or witness, failure to do so automatically disqualifies you from employment with this department.

• I acknowledge.

20


I understand that if I have a need for a reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment and interview process, I can contact the Human Resources Department at View email address on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io. I further understand that if an accommodation is necessary to perform the position for which I have applied, I can contact HR after an offer has been extended.

• I acknowledge.

Required Question