Community College Police Dispatcher

Salary : $65,592.00 - $79,716.00 Annually
Location : SMC Main Campus, 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica 90405, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: CCPD26
Department: Student Affairs
Division: Police
Opening Date: 06/04/2026
Closing Date: 6/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Merged Promotional & Open Competitive

COMMUNITY COLLEGE POLICE DISPATCHER
Under supervision, the Community College Police Dispatcher performs a variety of dispatcher and clerical duties, by receiving and prioritizing all emergency and non-emergency telephone calls made to Campus Police and by monitoring alarm signals and security cameras. An Eligibility List is currently being established to fill one vacancy in the SMC Police Department. The position will work 40 hours per week, 12 months per year, and may be assigned to any one of three shifts (Day, Swing, or Graveyard), which may include regular weekend assignments. In addition to the stated salary, there is an additional 5% paid for variable scheduling.This list will also be utilized to fill any vacancies that may occur during the six month life of the Eligibility List, which may include full-time and/or part-time positions.

Please note that all candidates must have authorization to work in the United States; the District does not have the ability to provide sponsorship.
Important note regarding the District budget:

In an effort to address budget shortfalls and ensure the long-term financial health of the College, the Board of Trustees has approved cost saving measures for the 2026-27 fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. These measures consist of:

1. one unpaid furlough day per month for classified staff, which approximately amounts to a 5% salary reduction, and
2. freezes in step advancement that will halt salary advancement for at least one year.

The posted salary for this role does not reflect the one unpaid furlough day per month that will take effect on July 1, 2026. Please note that the District will continue to offer fully paid health, dental and vision benefits for employees and their eligible dependents.

Why Work at SMC?
At SMC, you will work beside a diverse group of individuals who leverage their combined talents and passions to accomplish something great. No matter what department you are in, or what job you have, your contributions will be critical to helping our students fulfill their dreams.


Some details about us:

• We are currently the number one transfer college to UCLA, USC, the University of California system, and Loyola Marymount University
• We are dedicated to sustainable practices and are accessible via environmentally-friendly transportation options, including the Expo Line and Big Blue Bus.
• We are one of the select community colleges in California approved to award a Bachelor's degree. SMC currently awards a Bachelor's degree in Interaction Design.

Please visit to learn more about us and why we are Proud to Be SMC!
Benefits We value our employees as people, and recognize the value of work-life balance, the health of you and your family, and professional development. We offer a variety of benefits and perks to support new members of our team, including:

• 18 paid holidays*
• 12 paid vacation days*
• 12 paid illness days*
• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision-care coverage (including eligible dependents)
• Free mental health support through the Employee Assistance Service for Education (EASE) program.
• Membership in the California Public Employee Retirement System (CALPERS)
• 5% increase in base pay for every 5 years worked with SMC, up to 40 years of service (suspended for the 2026-2027 fiscal year by the Board of Trustees).
• Waived tuition fees for classes taken at Santa Monica College.
• Reimbursement for related classes, conferences or workshops to empower your professional development.
• Free Big Blue Bus access and monthly incentives for eligible employees through the
• CSEA Chapter 36 Union Membership Option

*Benefits, holidays, vacation, and illness days listed above assume a 40-hours per week, 12-months per year schedule. Benefits, vacation and illness days are prorated for other work schedules.

Salary Placement
New Employees: Generally, new employees start at the first step on the salary schedule. A new permanent classified employee may request a higher salary placement based on recruitment issues and/or additional training and experience which greatly exceeds the minimum requirements. Please note that salary placement above the third step requires additional approvals by Santa Monica College executive staff. Current Employees: Upon promotion, the new salary for a current, permanent employee is based on Merit Rule 12.2.7. In accordance with this rule, employees are entitled to at least a one-step (5%) salary increase, and may be eligible for advanced step placement in accordance with established criteria.
About the Selection Process All qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process for this recruitment and will include the following:
PART I: Written Exam - POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery (PELDSTB POST Dispatcher Test) - PASS/FAIL - Written Exam
- An examination guide is available at - Tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2026
T-Score from other agencies:
If you have a recent T-Score from another POST Agency (within the last 12 months) you can attach it to your application to avoid testing again (must meet the SMC pass point). POST allows exams once every 30 days.
PART II: Qualifications Appraisal Interview (QAI) - 100% of overall score
- Tentatively scheduled for Friday, July 24, 2026
Candidates must be successful on all test parts to be placed on the eligibility list. The eligibility list created from this recruitment will be used to fill any vacancies that occur during the six-month life of the eligibility list, including full-time and/or part-time, permanent and/or temporary positions.

This position is eligible for Veteran's Preference (Attach DD214).

Santa Monica College reserves the right to modify the stated examination components and weight prior to the administration of any examination.
Background Investigation
Candidates will be required to pass an extensive background investigation prior to appointment which includes a final interview, polygraph, psychological evaluation, and a medical examination. Making a false statement or omitting a statement as to any material fact on an application will result in your disqualification.

Communication for this recruitment will be via e-mail. You must check your e-mail on a regular basis to be informed of your status for this recruitment.

"The Santa Monica Community College District is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants for employment, as well as District employees, shall have full and equal access to employment opportunity. No person shall be subjected to unlawful discrimination in any program or activity of the District. The District's Board Policy 3120 (Equal Employment Opportunity and Nondiscrimination in Employment) may be accessed at: "


Equity Statement
Santa Monica College encourages candidates that are equity-minded to apply. SMC is a minority-serving, Hispanic-serving institution. We actively seek to attract candidates from minority groups that value equity, diversity, and inclusion. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are built into the culture at SMC, and are an essential component of the work that we do. SMC is committed to racial and socioeconomic diversity as it is a reflection of our student population and we strive to hire candidates that share this commitment.

Examples of Duties


Receives, screens, prioritizes and records incoming and outgoing emergency and non-emergency police calls using police telephones, computer generated calls for services and radio communication equipment.

Dispatches calls to college police personnel using appropriate police codes, and requests additional assistance as needed from local police and/or fire agencies; refers non-law enforcement matters to appropriate college personnel.

Uses a computer aided dispatch system to input data regarding calls, alarms, and observations to ensure immediate and correct police response; uses a record information management system to input, retrieve and generate reports and other data; accesses other relevant systems and databases to retrieve and relay information.

Maintains status, location and contact with all police officers, campus safety officers, parking enforcement officers and police cadets on duty.


Inquires, interprets, verifies, receives, and disseminates information from law enforcement computer networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registrations, and other pertinent information; analyzes situations accurately and takes effective action to help assure officer and public safety.

Operates, monitors and maintains surveillance and various alarm systems, including multiple video monitors; operates electronic access system, as requested.

Provides information and assistance to callers in a pleasant, calm and sensitive manner.

In addition to handling emergency, non-emergency and informational requests for the police department, answers after business hours calls for the campus; provides general information and assistance to the public and college personnel for emergencies.


Performs other related duties as requested or assigned.

Examples of essential duties are descriptive and not restrictive in nature and are generally listed in descending order of importance.

Minimum Qualifications

Education Requirement: Graduation from high school or equivalent. Successful completion of 30 units or the equivalent of college level coursework in communications or criminal justice is desirable.

Experience Requirement: Six months of recent experience involving heavy public contact and working with computers. Recent experience performing radio dispatching and call center duties is desirable.


Education/Experience Equivalency: Experience and/or education of the same kind, level and amount as required in the minimum qualifications may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Licensure and/or Certification:
Successful completion of a California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) approved Basic Dispatcher Course during the 12-month probationary period.


Lateral candidates must possess a POST basic dispatcher certificate.

Special Requirements: Must be free of any felony convictions and meet all minimum selection standards of a dispatcher as specified by POST.

Must successfully complete a thorough background investigation in accordance with POST and District Standards.

Meet the District and POST medical and psychological standards for dispatchers.

Must pass a 12-month probationary period in this position.

The Campus Police Department is a 24/7 operation. Dispatchers may be assigned to days, swing, or graveyard shifts, weekends and holidays in accordance with the terms of their collective bargaining unit agreement.

Supplemental Information


For additional information about our employment process, please visit our page and click on "current employees" (for existing, permanent SMC employees) or "job applicants" (for external applicants).
Santa Monica College offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for permanent positions. Permanent full-time positions of 35 hours or more receive fully paid District benefits. Permanent position assignments of 20 to 34 hours per week receive a pro-rated benefits package as outlined in CSEA Chapter 36 Bargaining Agreement.
Temporary positions and permanent position assignments of less than 20 hours per week do not have a benefits package.
For more information visit the following link:
01


Your answer to the following question will be verified in later stages of the hiring process through a thorough background investigation, which includes a polygraph examination. Any intentionally inaccurate or misleading responses will result in your disqualification from the selection process. Do you understand these instructions?

• Yes
• No

02


Santa Monica College is not able to provide sponsorship for employment. If hired for this position can you legally work in the Unites States without sponsorship from Santa Monica College?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you currently possess a high school diploma or GED certificate?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have a relative, domestic partner or member of your household employed at Santa Monica College? This includes a spouse, domestic partner, or co-habitant; a child, including adopted, in-laws and step- or half-parent; a grandchild, including adopted, in-laws and step- or half-grandparent; a sibling, including in-laws and step- or half-; any other member of the employee's household whether or not related by blood or marriage; and children and family members of siblings and spouses.

• Yes
• No

05


If you DO HAVE a relative, domestic partner or member of your household employed at Santa Monica College, please provide the employee's name and the department in which they work. If you DO NOT, please type NA.
Required Question