PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER I - IV - LATERAL

Public Safety Dispatcher

Accepting online applications only. Apply online 24 hours a day, beginning March 2, 2018. Filing will remain open until vacancies are filled. Filing may close without further notice.

Some positions in this classification qualify for a Recruitment Incentive of up to $6,000. For more information on the City of Long Beach's Recruitment Incentive Program please click here.

Examples Of Duties

Under general supervision, receives and dispatches emergency (911) and non-emergency calls for police or fire and emergency medical service; enters data into a computer terminal while questioning callers for information; determines nature, validity and disposition of calls; may provide post dispatch medical instructions; utilizes computer generated messages and priorities to dispatch field units to emergency situations; operates a variety of communications equipment including radios, accessories and telephones; performs call reception and dispatch activities utilizing computer-aided dispatch system; answers or refers inquiries and complaints regarding a wide variety of public safety and related matters; accesses, retrieves, and transmits vehicular or incident information to field units; relays relevant situational information to non-city enforcement or public safety agencies; may provide training for dispatchers and participate in evaluation of their performance; may act in a variety of dispatch supervisory positions; performs other related duties as required.

Requirements To File

Applicants must meet either option A or B:

A. Possession of a California P.O.S.T. Dispatcher certificate (proof required)*. OR B. Possession of a recognized Emergency Medical Dispatcher certificate (proof required)*. Applicants must also meet all of the following requirements:

• Two years paid, (full-time equivalent) of current or recent (within 12 months) experience as a public safety dispatcher with a public agency.
• Ability to demonstrate keyboarding skills at 35 wpm; candidates must submit proof of acceptable keyboarding certification (proof required)*.
• Willingness to work any shift assignment and work mandatory holidays, weekends and overtime
• Ability to handle a high volume of emergency and non-emergency calls with tact, good judgment, initiative and speed; question callers while simultaneously typing information into a computer terminal; speak English clearly and understandably; comprehend, interpret and retain written and orally presented information effectively i.e., read, memorize, interpret and apply policies and procedures, State Penal Code, FCC regulations, charts and maps.
• Ability to pass a thorough background investigation, polygraph examination and psychological evaluation conducted by the Long Beach Police Department. The investigation will include information regarding relatives, references, acquaintances, educational background, residential history, employment history, military service records, financial status, legal history, drug use and related areas.

*Required documents, such as a keyboarding certificate, must be uploaded to the online application at the time of filing. Any proofs submitted must contain either the applicant's name or other identifying characteristics on the form.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS Bilingual skills in English/Spanish or English/Southeast Asian languages

Selection Procedure

Effective April 1, 2020, the Civil Service Department will continue to accept and receive keyboarding skills certificate from an approved government, employment or training agency recognized by the Civil Service Department and obtained during the past 12 months; this will also include an online keyboarding skills certificate** for the position of Public Safety Dispatcher. (**via 5 minute typing test). This is a continuous examination. All applicants meeting the requirements to file will be placed on the eligible list, with those receiving Veteran's credit first, and then in the order in which applications are filed. Eligible lists will be established periodically. For candidates meeting all requirements to file the following examination components will be waived: Keyboarding Test and Performance Test. For additional information please read information packet by clicking on the following link: Public Safety Dispatcher Information Packet.

The City of Long Beach is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our workforce reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work by supporting staff and community partners. We are committed to promoting transparency by publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender. The City of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting In support of the City's Language Access Policy, bilingual skills (Spanish, Khmer, and/or Tagalog) are desirable for positions interacting with the public.

If you have not received notification of the status of your application within two weeks of filing, please contact the Civil Service Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io. This information is available in an alternative format by request at View phone number on click.appcast.io. If special accommodation is desired, please contact the Civil Service Department two (2) business days prior to the test at View phone number on click.appcast.io. For hearing impaired, call View phone number on click.appcast.io. An Equal Opportunity Employer.

Employee Benefits

The City of Long Beach offers its employees opportunities to grow personally and professionally. As a permanent employee, you are eligible to receive fringe benefits that include:

• Medical and Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan (P.E.R.S.)
• Paid Vacation, Personal Holidays and Sick Leave
• Deferred Compensation
• Credit Union Membership
• Free Bus Transportation (Long Beach Transit)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Free Employee Parking
• Paid Parental Leave*
• *Paid Parental Leave - after six (6) months of City employment; up to 30 calendar days (160 hours/192 hours for sworn platoon) of PPL, taken in full-day increments, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of seventeen (17).