Police Services Dispatcher

Salary : $85,800.00 - $104,280.00 Annually
Location : Police Department, 60 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-00301 (IM)
Department: Police
Opening Date: 10/01/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: POA


Description
The City of Santa Ana is looking for individuals who are results-oriented, possess great attitude, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success and have a passion for public service. Having highly talented employees provides the best service to the community.
The position is assigned to the Communications Unit, which is a 24-hour, seven-days-per-week operation.
Under general supervision on an assigned shift, receives emergency and other calls for service and dispatches appropriate personnel and equipment utilizing computer aided dispatch, telephone and/or radio communications equipment.
Salary listed does not include incentives, some of which are listed below:

Incentive Pay:

• Career Development Pay:
  
  
  • Associate's Degree: 5%
  • Bachelor's Degree: 7.5%
  • Master's Degree: 10%
• Longevity Pay: (total years of City service) will be assigned at the following benchmarks:
  • Completion of 15 years: 2.5%
  • Completion of 20 years: Additional 2.5%

Bilingual Pay : $300

For more information on incentive pay, please see Articles IV, V & VI of the Santa Ana Police Officers Association (POA) Memorandum of Understanding.
Applications are currently being accepted on a continuous basis; however, this recruitment can close at any given time and without notice. You are encouraged to apply immediately.

Essential Functions Include But Are Not Limited To

• Receives 911 emergency calls and major emergency disaster calls from the public for police or other emergency services
• Evaluates information to determine location of the emergency and the appropriate personnel and equipment needed
• Dispatches emergency units on the computer aided dispatch
• Maintains contact with all units on assignment to determine status and location
• Provides assistance and explains response procedures
• May coordinate with state, county and other local agencies to provide information and coordinate call responses
• Answers non-emergency calls for assistance, screens calls and routes calls to appropriate person or office
• Inputs data into calls for service for police response
• Coordinates with local, state and federal agencies for related information; performs entries into the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System
• Tests communications equipment and reports malfunctions
• Performs other functions as assigned

Minimum Qualifications
One year of clerical or other work experience involving public contact. Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent may be used in combination with experience to provide the knowledge and abilities listed below.
Lateral applicants must have completed a probationary period as a Police Dispatcher and possess at least one year of experience as a full-time Police Dispatcher in the state of California within the last three years. Applicants must also possess a valid POST certified Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course certificate. Additionally, applicants should have the knowledge and abilities listed below


Ability to learn: principles, practices, and procedures involved in public safety communications work; operation of radio/telephone receiving and transmitting equipment; some of the geography of the City and the location of streets and important buildings.

Ability to: type 35 words per minute; differentiate basic colors; speak clearly in a well modulated voice using good diction; work under stress and exercise good judgment in emergency situations; adjust quickly to changing situations; keep records and prepare reports; hear accurately; effectively read and interpret maps; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL PERFORMERS:

Appropriate individuals prefer a fast paced, highly demanding work environment. They must be logical, level headed, and able to react appropriately and quickly in crisis and in routine situations. As the key link between the Police Department and citizens, dispatchers must be polite, patient and tactful with a focus on community oriented service in support of the Chief's Community Oriented Policing Philosophy.

Selection Process
All applicants are required to complete and submit a City application form online, as well as complete the supplemental questionnaire. Please note that resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an online application. To apply, click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page. New users must create an account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time:


NOTE: THE APPLICATION FORM MUST BE COMPLETED IN ITS ENTIRETY. WORK HISTORY MUST GO BACK AT LEAST 10 YEARS (IF APPLICABLE). PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE 'REASON FOR LEAVING' FIELDS, AND 'DATES OF EMPLOYMENT (YEAR)' FIELDS. ANY APPLICATION WITH ONE OR MORE UNANSWERED FIELDS WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE.
Applications and answers to the supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly reviewed by the City staff. Those candidates who possess the most pertinent education, training, experience, and qualifications, will be invited to participate in the selection process, which will include the following (components 2 through 4 may be administered in different order):
1. Proof of Typing Ability (Performance Exam): (Qualifying) candidates are required to submit a typing certificate demonstrating a minimum net typing speed ability of at least 35 words per minute. Acceptable typing certificates must be from a government, employment or training agency and must have been obtained within the last 6 months. The test used to issue the typing certificate must be at least 5 minutes in length. Certificates from online self-proctored examinations will not be accepted. Candidates must submit typing certificates at the time of filing the online application. Proof of the typing certificate will be required prior to being invited to the other selection process components.
2. ECOMM National Examination (Weighted 50%): includes multiple-choice video simulations and computer administered tests in which candidates must listen, multitask, analyze dynamic information, illustrate good judgment in controlling callers, determine the accurate response to callers, and perform accurate data entry. The examination is administered by the National Testing Network ( DO NOT TAKE THE ECOMM EXAM UNTIL YOU RECEIVE E-MAIL COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF STATING YOU MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS. (This component will be waived for qualifying lateral applicants)
3. Dispatcher & Background Orientation (Qualifying): hosted by Police Communications staff and covers important topics such as interview preparation, interacting with police personnel and the hiring process. Candidates will also meet with a background investigator and will be asked to prepare a personal statement and complete a background packet.
4. Sit-Along (Qualifying): allows applicants to shadow a Police Services Dispatcher to experience the day-to-day of the position.
5. Oral Interview Examination: (Weighted 50%) candidates will meet with Police Communications staff, who will evaluate each their training, experience, education, and personal qualifications for the position.
NOTE: Candidates must pass every component listed above in order to be placed on the eligible listFollowing the completion of the aforementioned civil service recruitment process, the Police Department will receive the names of candidates eligible for hiring consideration and will contact candidates directly to schedule departmental selection interviews with the Police Communications Manager or designee. Candidates who pass the departmental selection interview will be referred to the background unit for a thorough police background investigation. Contents of the background file and results of the background investigation may also be reviewed by the Police Chief prior to selection. The review of suitability for employment will include an examination by a licensed psychologist, a polygraph examination, and a medical examination.
The City of Santa Ana is an equal opportunity employer. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact us regarding providing reasonable accommodation.
Please visit the following website to view the summary of comprehensive benefits!

(under POA)
NOTE: A more complete set of specifications for this classification may be found on the City's website or on file in the Human Resources Department. 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. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contribution toward benefit costs, are subject to change as a result of periodic contract settlements between recognized employee associations and the City of Santa Ana.
01


How many years of experience do you have in clerical work or other work involving public contact?

• No Experience to less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 or more years

02


What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Did not graduate high school / did not obtain GED
• Graduated high school / obtained GED
• Completed some college-level coursework or obtained Associate degree
• Obtained Bachelor's degree
• Obtained Graduate degree

03


Are you willing to work any shift assignment and work mandatory holidays, weekends and overtime?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you possess at least one year of experience as a full-time Police Dispatcher in the state of California within the last three years?

• Yes
• No

05


Did you complete a probationary period as a Police Dispatcher with a previous employer?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you possess a valid POST certified Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course certificate.**If you select Yes, please ensure that your certificate is attached to your application

• Yes
• No

07


List the work experience that qualifies you for this position, as outlined in the job posting. Include the name of the employer, dates of employment and duties performed.
08


I certify that I have read and understand the *

• Yes
• No

09


Have you ever been convicted of a felony?

• Yes
• No

10


Have you been convicted of a DUI or any DUI plea agreement to a lesser charge within three (3) years from the date of application?

• Yes
• No

11


Have you been terminated for a cause other than reduction in workforce or layoff or have you resigned in lieu of termination within the last five (5) years from the date of application?

• Yes
• No

12


If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please explain below. As part of your explanation, please provide the year in which it happened
13


Do any of the scenarios below apply to you WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS?• I was referred to the background unit in another law enforcement agency and was notified that I was not selected to continue in the background investigation phase but I was not officially disqualified• I was referred to the background unit in another law enforcement agency and was advised to withdraw in lieu of possible disqualification from the background investigation

• Yes
• No

14


If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please provide an explanation below.
15


I certify that all the information I provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that purposely providing false information may be grounds for disqualification from the process.
I acknowledge that I have read and understood the statement above.

• Yes
• No

Required Question