Police Dispatcher

Police Dispatcher

Join the City of Orange Police Department as a Police Dispatcher! The City of Orange is looking for dedicated individuals who want to make a difference in the community they serve. Ideal candidates are calm, concise, decisive, and compassionate under pressure. If that describes you, apply today!

Updated Recruitment Information: First review of applications will begin on August 19th. Candidates who apply after this date may be considered in a subsequent application review period, if needed. This recruitment will remain open until a sufficient quantity of candidates proceed to the Background Investigation phase of the hiring process.

The recruitment process consists of a typing test, POST written exam, and oral interview. Candidates who are successful at each of these steps of the process will be invited to the background investigation phase of the hiring process. Candidates who already possess either or both of the documents listed below and who attach either or both documents to their application may waive the respective steps of the recruitment process. Don't yet possess the documents listed below? Still apply - you will just need to complete and pass each step below to proceed in the hiring process; we will offer these to candidates who pass the application review.

1. In-person Typing Certificate indicating a corrected typing speed of 35+ WPM (the Typing Certificate must include the following information)
• Name of Applicant
• Number of corrected (net) words per minute typed during a five (5) minute timed test
• Date of Certificate cannot be more than six (6) months old as of the date of application
• Signature and title of person verifying the typing test
• Address and telephone number of the agency administering the exam
2. California POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery T-Score of 48 or higher

Lateral Dispatcher Candidates - $10,000 Hiring Incentive: Are you currently a dispatcher with a California law enforcement agency who possesses a CA POST Dispatcher Basic Certificate (this certificate is not the same as the CA POST Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course certificate)? If so, you are eligible for a $10,000 hiring incentive ($5,000 at time of hire and $5,000 at time of completion of probation)! If you believe you qualify as a Lateral candidate, apply then email View email address on click.appcast.io - the next step of the recruitment process for Lateral candidates is the scheduling of an in-person interview!

Automatic Employment Disqualifiers: We understand that applying for employment requires a substantial amount of time and effort. Before applying for the position of Police Dispatcher, please click on and read the Orange Police Department's Automatic Disqualifier Notice to help you determine if you are eligible to be considered for employment. Note: All personnel hired by the Orange Police Department shall be a permanent and full-time resident of the State of California and reside no further than one hundred (100) road miles from Police Headquarters.

Examples of Duties

Under general supervision from higher level supervisory and management staff, Police Dispatcher duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Receive emergency calls from the public requesting police or other emergency service; determine nature and location of emergency, determine priority and dispatch emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures; maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of police field units; answer non-emergency calls for assistance; answer maintenance service emergencies on weekends and holidays; coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement agencies; enter, update and retrieve information from Teletype networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information; perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work; maintain a variety of logs relating to public safety activities; test and inspect equipment as required; type daily log of all field calls and units dispatched; perform related duties as assigned. Candidates must be able and willing to work rotating shifts, including, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of: Geographic features and streets within the area served. Standard radio broadcasting procedures and rules. Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Modern office procedures, practices, and equipment operation.

Ability to: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Work under pressure, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions in emergency situations. Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens. Type accurately at a rate of 35 words per minute or faster. Understand and follow oral and written instructions. Learn to operate dispatch, Teletype and other office equipment. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Work various shifts as assigned.

Education & Experience: Required: Completion of the twelfth (12th) grade or equivalent. Two (2) years of general work experience involving frequent interactions with the public. Highly Desirable: One (1) year of dispatch experience in a public safety (police and/or fire) or fast-paced setting. One (1) year of experience operating communications equipment. Possession of a California POST Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course certificate. License or Certificate: Completion of, or ability to complete as required, the California POST Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds. This position requires regular and reliable attendance and the employee's physical presence at the workplace. Incumbents are assigned to a 4/10 work schedule. Must be willing and available to work various shifts on a rotating basis to cover the 24/7 operations of this role, including, but not limited to, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Environmental Elements: Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. The principal duties of this class are performed in a police station environment with exposure to criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases.

Disaster Service Worker: All employees of the City of Orange are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours, and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.

City Mission, Vision, and Values: Incumbents in all City positions are expected to exhibit the behavior characteristics reflected in the City's Mission, Vision, and Values statements in the performance of their duties: The City of Orange is committed to excellent service for our residents, businesses, and visitors. As an organization, the City of Orange is the leader in delivering the highest level of service to meet current and future needs of the community. The City's values include Teamwork, Accountability, and Excellence.

Benefits for City of Orange Police Association (Non-Sworn)

The City of Orange provides a generous array of benefits to employees in addition to maintaining competitive salaries. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees working from 20 to 35 hours. Part-time employees working 19 hours do not qualify for benefits.

The following is a partial list of benefits:

• Salary Range. Salary ranges are composed of seven (7) steps, each approximately five percent (5%) apart, with the exception of the final step, which is approximately two percent (2%) apart. Advancements through the steps are generally made yearly and based on performance.
• Retirement Benefits. Retirement benefits are provided by the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), including the City's contribution toward the Fourth Level Survivor's Benefit.
• PORAC Retiree Medical Trust. Employees pay $50 per pay period towards the PORAC Retiree Medical Trust and after ten (10) years are eligible for partial reimbursement of medical insurance premiums upon retirement.
• Cafeteria Benefits Plan