Police Dispatcher (Lateral)

Salary: $6,788.30 - $8,251.23 Monthly
Location : Chula Vista, CA
Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Job Number: 26518107
Department: Police - Support Operations
Division: Police Dispatch
Opening Date: 07/09/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Description and Essential Functions
Position Summary :
This position is for current (lateral) dispatchers who work in a public safety communications center. A public safety communications center refers to any local, state or federal agency involved in the prevention of and protection from events that could endanger the safety of the general public.
Dispatchers receive, evaluate, and transmit emergency and routine voice radio messages via telephone, and teletype and automatic alarm; dispatch required equipment and personnel in accordance with standard policies and procedures; maintain records; and perform related work as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is a full journey level class within the Police Dispatcher series and has the ability to perform a full range of duties assigned with only occasional instruction or assistance as unique situations arise. This class is distinguished from the Police Dispatcher Trainee in that the latter is an entry-level position that works under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.
Newly hired employees in this position may receive up to a $5,000 relocation allowance for expenses incurred in relocating the employee and their immediate family to San Diego County. Eligible expenses must qualify as deductible moving expenses under IRS guidelines. Additionally, this position is eligible for the Employee Referral Program . Eligible employees that make a successful referral will receive either 16 hours of leave or a referral payment of up to $3,000.

Essential Functions:

Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: receive service requests by telephone on 911 emergency and business lines; obtain information on the nature of the request/emergency, the location, and telephone number of caller, name of caller and other pertinent information; remaining on the line with victim in emergency, as appropriate and creating a record of the information; analyze requests for police service, determine priority ranking of each request and the kind and level of service to be dispatched in initial response; determine available units to dispatch; dispatch personnel and equipment according to standard operational procedures, instructions from a superior or by individual judgment as required; refers difficult or extremely serious calls to supervisor; listen to each radio transmission from police personnel in the field, acknowledges and complies with request for action or information; keep superiors informed of emergency situations and general activities; place telephone calls to other police jurisdictions, City departments, City emergency crews, vehicle tow companies, ambulance services, coroner, relatives of victims, telephone and utility companies, alarm company, traffic signal maintenance and other services concerning an emergency; maintain detailed records of the time and nature of each call; operate computer aided dispatch system equipment, TDD and other office equipment; operate teletype and computer terminal to check for registered owners of vehicles and other information; refer to maps and reference materials to secure information needed by personnel in the field and for the dispatch function; take reports and relays messages by radio or telephone; maintains a log of radio calls received and transmitted; type, issue case numbers, log departmental activities and perform routine clerical work; assist in monitoring activity in jail cells via a closed circuit TV system; maintain law enforcement resources status and activity file in the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) computer; may instruct other personnel in the techniques and use of communications equipment; may perform minor or routine upkeep and maintenance of equipment; and perform other duties related to this position.

Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of education and/or experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: two years of responsible clerical, administrative, public information or emergency service including radio-telephone communications work ( work experience in public safety field is highly desirable ) or successful completion as a Police Dispatcher Trainee with the City of Chula Vista and training equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
Typing Certificate

A valid typing certificate MUST be attached to your application at the time of submission. Please note that required certificate must reflect the ability to type at a rate of 40 net words per minute or higher and with 5 errors or less. O n-line certificates showing the percentage of accuracy or error (example: 85% accuracy or 30% error) are unacceptable.
The typing certificate must be issued within one year prior to our receipt of your application. Download a copy of the typing certificate requirements and information on locations where you can obtain a typing certificate.
Note: Self-certification using keyboard software or on-line typing certificates, will not be accepted.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Physical Demands and Working Conditions
Knowledge of : basic terminology used in radio and telephone communications; operation of communication equipment, including telephone, radio, paging, computer and related systems; geographic features and boundaries of the Chula Vista area; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; computerized data entry and retrieval systems used in dispatch communication and operations.


Ability to: learn City dispatch codes, policies and procedures; memorize codes, names, locations and other detailed information; attend to multiple activities and sources of input simultaneously during stressful situations; obtain complete and accurate information from individuals who during emergency situations may be emotionally distraught, angry or difficult to understand; remain calm and make rapid and sound independent judgments in stressful emergency situations; effectively operate the computer-aided dispatch system, display terminals, radio dispatching consoles, and associated equipment; read and interpret street maps; analyze and evaluate emergency situations as required to prioritize calls and to anticipate/determine the needs of responding personnel; make sound decisions using available information; read and interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; while handling critical incident calls, accomplish tasks in a controlled, effective manner; work days, evenings, and nights, rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed; type at a speed of at least 40 NWPM; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; and work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

On a continuous basis, sit at a communications console for prolonged periods of time. Intermittently twist and reach office equipment; write and use keyboard to communicate through written means; wear a telephone headset and be able to hear, distinguish and understand voices with background noise present; verbally communicate effectively with other individuals over the radio or telephone or in person; visually able to read and work on multiple video display terminals simultaneously. Primary work is performed indoors in a carpeted and air-conditioned office environment at a communications console having a computer display terminal. Work is generally performed in an area with fluorescent lighting and moderate noise level. Some movement is required from office to office and there is exposure to the external environment when going to outlying offices.

Additional Information
Recruitment No. 26518107
This recruitment is open until a sufficient number of applications are received and may close at any time without prior notice. Applicants are encouraged to submit a City Application, Supplemental Questionnaire, and Typing Certificate as soon as possible. Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via e-mail.
Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the selection process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration. Note that the examination materials for this recruitment are validated, copyrighted and/or inappropriate for review. The eligibility lists established as a result of this recruitment will be for a duration of six (6) months, unless otherwise extended.


Pre-Employment Background Investigation
Successful candidates must undergo a thorough background investigation. There are certain types of conduct which are automatic grounds for disqualification. Please review the "Pre-Employment Disqualifying Criteria" which identify some of the common areas of the background investigation process that may cause delay or prevent you from competing in the selection process.
ACE Benefit Summary: Click
01


The supplemental questionnaire is used to further evaluate your experience and education to determine your eligibility for this position. Please answer each question accurately and thoroughly. To be considered for this position, the experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History/Experience section of your Employment Application. Failure to complete the "Work History/Experience" section of the employment application will result in your application not being considered. Please do not refer your response to your resume. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications.

• I have read and acknowledge the instructions stated above.

02


Successful candidates must undergo a thorough background investigation. There are certain types of conduct which are automatic grounds for disqualification. Please refer to the list of "Pre-Employment Disqualifying Criteria" linked to the Job Announcement to help you identify some of the common areas of the background investigation process that may cause delay or prevent you from competing in the selection process.

• I acknowledge that successful candidates must undergo a thorough background investigation.

03


Are you able to work a variety of shifts as assigned, including days, nights, weekends and holidays?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have a valid typing certificate of at least 40 net words per minute that was obtained from an accredited school/employment agency and issued one year prior to our receipt of your application?

• Yes: A typing certificate dated within the past twelve months, is attached.
• No: I understand by not submitting a typing certificate that meets the requirements noted on the job posting by the close of this job posting, my application will be disqualified.
• N/A: I am currently a classified employee of the City of Chula Vista who holds a position which requires a typing certificate that meets or exceeds the nwpm of this position,

05



EXPERIENCE: Do you have at least two years of responsible experience performing radio-telephone communications work in a public safety communications center*?*A public safety communications center refers to any local, state or federal agency involved in the prevention of and protection from events that could endanger the safety of the general public.

• Yes
• No

06


Please check the type(s) of public safety agency where you gained your dispatching experience.

• Law enforcement
• Fire
• Emergency Medical
• Military
• I do not have experience in public safety dispatching

07


Describe your experience in public safety dispatching. Your response must include ALL of the following information:
(a) Name of your employer;
(b) Your title;
(c) Length of experience (months/years); and
(d) Brief description of duties.
If you do not have experience in this area, indicate "N/A".
08


Which of the following best describes your experience of responsible clerical, administrative, or public information experience?

• Two or more years of experience
• At least one year but less than two years of experience
• Less than one year of experience
• No experience

09


Please describe this experience. Your response must include ALL of the following information:
(a) Name of your employer;
(b) Your title;
(c) Length of experience (months/years); and
(d) Brief description of duties.
If you do not have experience, indicate "N/A".


10



EDUCATION: Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed?

• Master's degree or higher
• Bachelor's degree
• Associate's degree
• High School/GED

11


To help us assess our recruitment efforts, please answer the following questions: Please indicate how you learned about the job opportunity?

• Facebook
• Instagram
• GovernmentJobs
• Nixle
• Job Fair
• Other

12


If you responded "Other" to Question 11, please tell us how you learned about this job opportunity.
13


Were you referred to apply by a Chula Vista Police Department employee?

• Yes
• No

14


If you responded "Yes" to Question #13, please provide the first and last name of the Police Department employee who referred you.
15


APPLICANT'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT - NOTIFICATION VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL (E-MAIL)
The City of Chula Vista's Human Resources Department uses electronic mail (e-mail) to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of your application. We do so as part of our ongoing efforts to increase operational efficiency, promote the conservation of green resources, and minimize delays and costs. Therefore, as an applicant, you are hereby advised of the following:

1. Ensure that the email address and contact information you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. Do not share email addresses. Spam or other filters should be adjusted to accept our emails. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails , i.e., for the non-delivery of email or if you fail to check your email-box on a timely basis, etc.

2. Read any notices we send carefully and in a timely manner. Follow further instructions, if any. We recommend that you print and keep a hard copy of our notices for your records.

• I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above.

Required Question