PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER

Salary : $61,032.00 - $76,392.00 Annually
Location : City of West Covina, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-021
Department: Police Department
Division: Police Department
Opening Date: 05/28/2026
Closing Date: 6/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Max Number of Applicants: 50


Description
This posting may close earlier than the advertised closing date if an excessive number of applications is received. Conversely, the closing date may be extended, or the position re-posted, if an insufficient number of applications is received during the initial posting period. Applicants must ensure the complete submission of their employment application and a valid typing certificate. An eligibility list will be established and may be used to fill current and future vacancies.
Job Summary:
Under general supervision, dispatches police, fire, or other City or contract vehicles; maintains radio contact and status of each vehicle in the field; operates a computer terminal; operates a telephone switchboard, giving general information to callers and making necessary connections with other departments; and does related work as required.

Examples of Duties


Some of the typical duties of the Police Safety Dispatcher include but are not limited to, the following:

• Serves on a shift basis as a dispatcher in the Communications Center; receives calls by telephone or radio.
• Dispatches appropriate fire, police or other City and contract equipment as needed to handle reported emergencies in the field.
• Maintains radio contact with units at all times during shift assignments and sends needed or requested assistance as indicated.
• Maintains a continuous current record of the status of all mobile units, indicating the disposition of each by mechanical or other means.
• Receives calls of a general nature, gives appropriate information to callers and routes calls to their proper destination.
• Sends and receives teletype messages and routes them to appropriate destinations.
• Operate a switchboard
• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• One (1) year of responsible general office, communication, or public service experience which included heavy public contact providing information and assistance.
• Radio-telephone operation is desirable.

Knowledge of: Police office practices and basic radio and telephone communications. Knowledge of business English, spelling and record keeping. Knowledge of geography of West Covina is desirable.


Ability to: answer multiple telephone lines and provide information under stressful conditions; to learn assigned clerical tasks readily and to adhere to prescribed routine; write English legibly; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public; type and learn the operation of other standard office equipment; a willingness to work varying shifts; and to learn radio dispatching skills.


Certification and License Requirements:

• Typing certification of 45 words per minute (wpm) net (5-minute test taken within the last 12 months) of date submitted) is required. Typing certificates will only be accepted from a recognized agency such as a college, trade school, adult school, or employment agency. No "on-line" typing test will be accepted. Applications received without a valid typing certificate, or not meeting the minimum words per minute (45 wpm net) will not be considered and applicants will not be contacted to correct the deficiency.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record is required.
• Must maintain a valid Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

Physical Demands and Working Environment:
This position also requires extensive and repetitive physical activity involving the arms, wrists, and hands, including writing and using a keyboard. It also requires physical abilities associated with the ability to read, write and communicate in a work environment requiring no extraordinary physical strength or other special physical qualifications.
Work is performed in a fast paced, high volume call center, or may be required to report to alternate dispatch center; incumbents must remain alert and responsive while coordinating stressful situations in a dynamic work environment.


Pursuant to California Government Code §3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their supervisors or by law.

Special Working Conditions:
THIS POSITION REQUIRES WORKING ONE OF TWO 12-HOUR ROTATING SHIFTS WITH VARYING WORK HOURS, INCLUDING NIGHTS, WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS. CIVILIAN UNIFORMS WILL BE REQUIRED.
SELECTION PROCESS:
Applicants whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements and needs of the City, will be invited to participate further in the testing/selection process.

1. Written Examination (pass/fail)
2. Panel Interview (weighted 100%)
3. Comprehensive Background Check , which includes:
   • Live Scan fingerprinting
   • Polygraph examination
4. Pre-Employment Medical Examination
5. Psychological Evaluation
6. Drug Screening (required for safety-sensitive positions; provided at no cost to the candidate)

Supplemental Information

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) / Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The City of West Covina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants.


ADA Accommodation: The City will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodation with the employer.
The following benefits are offered to permanent fulltime employees only. For part-time employment benefits, the City does not offer any medical, vision or dental benefits for part-time and Limited Service employees. Such employees may elect - voluntary - to participate in such plans, pending payment of full premium as determined by the City. Additionally, part-time and Limited Service employees do not hold recognized bargaining rights and not eligible for bargained benefits, including administrative leave, vacation pay, sick hours accumulation (with exception of one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours of paid employment), life insurance, bereavement and tuition reimbursement.
NON-SWORN UNIT - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

HOLIDAYS - Employees receive 9 holidays per year, including 40 floating personal leave hours.


VACATION - Employees accrue 80 vacation hours per year, with a maximum of 240 hours, and at five years, they receive 40 hours.


SICK LEAVE - Eight hours per month accrued by full-time employees for sick leave. There is unlimited accumulation, and the City has an annual payoff plan for unused sick leave, plus a payoff plan upon termination.


HEALTH INSURANCE - The City will provide up to the corresponding Los Angeles Region Kaiser rate per month (Employee only, Employee plus one, or Employee plus 2 or more (family)) towards health coverage through the Public Employees' Retirement Systems (PERS). Employees covered by a health insurance plan outside of the City's plan will receive $300/month.


DENTAL PROGRAM - A dental program is offered to all employees at group rates. The City contributes up to $53.28 per month towards premiums.


VISION PLAN - A City-paid vision plan through Vision Services Plan (VSP) is provided for employees only. An employee may enroll eligible dependents at his/her cost.


LIFE INSURANCE - The City provides a $20,000 basic life insurance and $500 term life retirement benefit to Community Service Officers, Jailers, and Police Records Clerks. A basic life insurance plan that provides protection in the amount of one-half the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $50,000, and $500 term life benefit upon retirement to Public Safety Dispatchers and Sr. Communications Operators.


LONG-TERM DISABILITY PLAN - The City covers the entire cost for this premium. There is a 6 month elimination period before an employee is eligible, and the plan covers up to a maximum of 60% of the employee's gross salary up to $5,000 per month or to age 65.


RETIREMENT - The retirement formula is for new employees meeting CalPERS' classic membership criteria. Effective January 1, 2013, new employees enrolling in membership in the CalPERS system will receive The employee pays their portion (8% of salary) of the retirement contribution to the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Options include single highest year, military buyback service credit and service credit for unused sick leave. The City does not participate in Social Security.


RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS PLAN - City and employee contributions.


TUITION REIMBURSEMENT - The City provides a tuition reimbursement program, up to $1,130 per fiscal year, for regular full-time employees for continuing job-related education.


UNIFORM ALLOWANCE - $700 per year.


BILINGUAL ALLOWANCE - Employees in public contact positions with bilingual skills shall receive $100 per month, per their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).


BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - Up to 40 hours per occurrence may be granted.


FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (FSA)-The City has established a program consistent with Section 125 of the IRS Code, which enables employees to voluntarily use pre-tax earnings for medical, dental, and dependent care expenses.


EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - As an employee of The City of West Covina, you and your eligible dependents are entitled to receive EAP services.


THE CITY -West Covina is a city of approximately 110,500 residents, located 20 miles east of Los Angeles, with easy accessibility via freeway to beach and mountain resorts and many other major retail, recreational, educational, and cultural facilities. Acknowledged as the "Headquarters City of the East San Gabriel Valley," West Covina prides itself on the quality of living it offers.


The City utilizes the council-manager form of government, and employs 413 full-time employees, with an operating budget of about $64 million.


The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.


In accordance with the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, successful applicants must provide documentation attesting to their legal right to work in the United States.
01


The supplemental assessment you are about to complete is considered part of the examination and will be reviewed thoroughly. All responses to these questions will be subject to verification.

• I understand that this supplemental assessment is part of the examination process and will be used to determine which candidates are selected to move forward in the recruitment process.

02


Do you have one year of general office experience which included heavy public contact providing information and assistance.

• Yes
• No

03


Typing certificate is required. Please indicate if you have the ability to keyboard 45 wpm or above and attached typing certificate to application. (No Online Certificates Accepted)

• Yes, the typing certificate is attached.
• No

04


Have you taken the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Written Examination within the last 6 months?

• Yes
• No

05


I hereby understand and declare that the statements on this supplemental questionnaire are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. As applicable, I hereby authorize the City and/or designees to contact the references listed to verify the information I have supplied. I hereby release from liability all persons and organizations furnishing such information. I understand that the City reserves the right to validate information received on the supplemental questionnaire and that I will be subject to disqualification and/or termination if any statement in this supplemental questionnaire is found to be untrue or determined to be misleading.

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

Required Question