Dispatcher I (Dispatcher Recruit)

The Position

You must have taken and passed the Dispatcher CritiCall examination for further consideration. To take the examination, click here.

Please Note: a candidate must successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, psychological test, credit check, and a drug use history to be considered for this position.

Applicants applying to this posting will be hired as a Dispatcher Recruit and must successfully complete a seven (7) week Dispatcher Training Academy. Upon satisfactory graduation from a Dispatcher Training Academy, a Dispatcher Recruit meeting the requirements of the Dispatcher I classification shall be advanced to the career classification of Dispatcher I. For more information regarding the Dispatcher Recruit position, please visit the following link:

Dispatcher Recruit Classification Specification:

To receive incoming telephone calls and dispatch police units as necessary for assistance; perform a variety of general support duties related to communications activities.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is an entry level class in the Dispatcher series. Incumbents of this class are trained in department policies, procedures and systems through on-the-job training. Generally, work is observed and reviewed both during performance and upon completion. Dispatcher Recruit is distinguished from the Dispatcher I classification in that it is a training classification.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Immediate supervision is provided by a Dispatcher III. Technical or functional supervision may be provided by a Dispatcher II or Dispatcher III.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Receive emergency and non-emergency telephone calls from the public requesting police, fire, and local government service; determine nature and priority; dispatch units as necessary; and/or refer or transfer callers to ensure excellent customer service.

• Maintain radio contact with all units on assignment.

• Coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement and firefighting agencies.

• Query information from law enforcement communication networks relating to wanted persons, criminal history, stolen property, and Department of Motor Vehicle information.

• Query and enter stolen, stored, and repossessed vehicle information.

• Perform a variety of records keeping duties related to the computer aided dispatch system.

• Test and inspect equipment as required.

• Testify in court as needed.

• Prepare written responses or reports related to communication complaints, investigative follow-ups or police reports.

• Write daily work progress reports when training a new Dispatcher.

• Demonstrate professionalism, courtesy, empathy, and excellent customer service in accordance with departmental policy and the community-oriented policing concept.

• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• English grammar, usage, spelling and punctuation.

Ability to:

• Express themselves in English in a clear, distinct, and understandable manner when speaking to individuals, before diverse populations, various public and community groups, and when testifying in court.
• Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
• Work under pressure and exercise good judgment in emergency situations.
• Exercise independent judgment and work with a minimum of supervision.
• Use a computer and keyboard to enter data provided verbally and in writing.
• Learn standard broadcasting rules and procedures.
• Learn City street system and physical layout of Sacramento.
• Understand and comply with oral and written directions.
• Learn to operate computer-aided dispatch, telephone, and radio broadcasting equipment.
• Value customers and co-workers through provision of excellent customer service.
• Operate office machines and equipment.
• Type 40 net wpm.

Experience and Education

High school diploma or GED equivalent and completion of twelve (12) units from an accredited college or university.

AND

One (1) year of customer service experience and successful completion of the Sacramento Police Department's Basic Dispatch Academy within the last twelve (12) months.

-OR-

High school diploma or GED equivalent

AND

Four (4) years of customer service experience and successful completion of the Sacramento Police Department's Basic Dispatch Academy within the last twelve (12) months.

Proof of Education Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

Probationary Period Employees must complete eighteen (18) months of probation at a satisfactory performance.

The Selection Procedure

Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) – All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on 40 hours per week (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
  • If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
• Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment.
• Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
• Supplemental documents such as resume, cover letter, and proof of education are highly preferred and recommended at the time of application submission. Documents should be submitted to the City of Sacramento Employment Office as attachment(s) via online with the employment application, emailed to View email address on click.appcast.io. If submitting via email, please include your name and Job# 002049-26-PD-8 on your documents.

2. Online Dispatcher CritiCall Exam: (Pass/Fail) - Candidates must have taken and passed the Dispatcher CritiCall Examination by 11:59 p.m. on August 31, 2026 for further consideration. Candidates can access the examination at any time by visiting the City of Sacramento's Examination's website:

The online Dispatcher CritiCall examination may test your ability to:

• Follow rules and directions.
• Make decisions quickly and accurately based on rules you are provided.
• Enter data or information (such as names, telephone numbers, license plate sequences, etc.) into a computer using a keyboard.
• Hear, comprehend, summarize, and/or answer questions about information provided verbally in short story form.
• Use written information provided on lists (such as an alphabetically sequenced telephone book).
• Recognize if bits of information, such as addresses or names, are similar or different.
• Quickly learn and later recognize information that is shown in writing, such as descriptions (e.g., red car, blue boat, green shirt).
• Perform basic arithmetic (such as addition, subtraction, percentages) without a calculator or other tools.
• Hear and remember pieces of information,