Public Safety Dispatcher (Trainee)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Police Department, 215 E. Figueroa St., Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Unclassified
Job Number: 2026-004A-2910-PD-EU
Department: Police
Opening Date: 04/08/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


DESCRIPTION
$79,003 - $91,547 Annually (Additional $214 to $316 / month for EMD* Certification)
The Hiring Bonus has been discontinued until further notice, effective April 1, 2020
INCENTIVES

• $138 to $277/mo Shift Differential
• $110 to $222/mo Bilingual Pay
• $863/yr Uniform Allowance
• City Paid Medical, Dental & Vision
• City Paid Life Insurance $50,000
• 4/10 Work Schedule, 3 Days Off Per Week
• Flexible Medical And Dependent Care Plans
• Deferred Compensation Plans
• City Paid Vacation, Holiday, And Sick Leave
• City Paid Retiree Medical Contribution
• City Paid Formal Training

This is an unclassified trainee position. Under supervision, incumbents are trained to answer and process all incoming emergency and non-emergency requests for police, fire, and medical assistance. Operate a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, video display terminals, and associated equipment. Evaluate the information and create a CAD system incident, or provide information to the caller or transfer the call to the proper emergency service provider. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action to help assure officer safety. Monitor and maintain status of assigned public safety personnel and equipment; initiate fire equipment move-ups to ensure adequate citywide fire protection. Determine nature, priority, and disposition of calls. Inquire, interpret, verify, receive, and disseminate information from law enforcement computer networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, and vehicle registration. May be required to provide the public with basic first aid and pre-arrival instructions during medical emergencies following the established Emergency Medical Dispatch* (EMD) protocols. Perform other duties as required.

The Combined Communications Center is a 24-hour facility located at the Police Department. Incumbents must be available to work weekends, holidays, call back, standby, and rotating shifts. The current shifts are: Day Shift 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Evening Shift 4:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.; and Night Shift 7:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Shifts are rotated every 6 months.

For applicants who have passed the simulation examination and would like to participate in the Police Department Dispatcher observation tour, call the Communication Center Shift Supervisor at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Ability to: Follow oral and written instructions; learn police and fire radio operations and procedures, local streets, police beats, fire districts, the classifications of crimes and recognition of common police and fire codes in order to obtain information from the public, initiate a response, and accurately record information; remember instructions and information; clearly and tactfully communicate factual information to citizens; question callers while simultaneously typing information into a computer terminal. Establish and maintain cooperative working relations with those contacted in the course of work.
Skill in: Operating a computer terminal; listening and speaking clearly and responding quickly and accurately to emergency and routine requests for assistance.
Desirable Qualifications: Spanish-speaking skills; coursework in criminal justice or communications; public contact experience.

SELECTION PROCESS

THE SELECTION PROCESS MAY CONSIST OF:

1. Simulation Exam
2. Oral Interview
3. Department Background Interview
4. Background Investigation
5. Polygraph
6. Psychological Evaluation
7. Medical Examination and Drug Screening

Candidates must successfully complete each phase of the selection process in order to be scheduled for subsequent phases.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

APPLICATIONS, WITH THE ATTACHED ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM SIGNED, ARE ACCEPTED ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS.

NOTE: APPLICATIONS MAY BE REJECTED IF INCOMPLETE.
The City of Santa Barbara is an Equal Opportunity Employer - and we encourage all persons to apply.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

The City of Santa Barbara is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.


Disaster Services Assignments

As public employees, we play an enhanced role in the event of a disaster or other emergency in our community. You will be registered as a disaster services worker, and you will be issued a disaster services identification card. In the event of a disaster or other emergency, make sure that your family is safe and secure first, then report to your assigned emergency location. Hourly employees generally do not receive disaster services assignments.
THE SALARY RANGE consists of five steps, each representing an increase of approximately five percent. STEP INCREASES , through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews. Employees receive annual performance reviews.
THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to collective bargaining:

Note: Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.

• Flexwork / Telecommuting is available.
• Bilingual pay may be available at a rate of $110-$222 / month.
• Specialty Assignment Pay of 2% - 6% is available for Sworn employees.
• POST Educational Incentive Pay of $396 - $656 / month is available for Sworn employees.
• Vacation is accrued at 96 hours / year, increasing with City service.
• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
• Holiday leave is accrued at the rate of 5 hours / pay period.
• Retirement : The City does not participate in Social Security.
  
  • Sworn employees - PERS Police Safety Formula: " Classic " members: 3% @ 50; employee contributes 9% of salary. " New " members: 2.7% @ 57; employee contributes 14.50% of salary. The City does not participate in Social Security.
  • Non-sworn employees - PERS Miscellaneous Formula: " Classic " members: 2.7% @ 55; City contributes 23.38% and employee contributes 8% of salary. " New " members: 2% @ 62; employee contributes 7.75% of salary.
• Insurance including medical, dental and vision benefits is available under a group plan. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: Police Unit Rate Sheet.
• Cafeteria 125 Plan : Employees who opt-out of the group insurance coverage or who select employee-only coverage may be eligible for a cash pay-out of up to $500 / month.
• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insuranc e: City-paid term life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance is provided:
  
  • Sworn: $75,000
  • Non-sworn: $50,000
• Employee Assistance Program : A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their households.
• Long-term Disability Insurance is available through the Police Officers' Association.
• S hort-term Disability Insurance optional employee-paid coverage is available.
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
• A Uniform Allowance of $863-$1,238 / year will be provided by the City.
• Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare . An equal amount is paid by the City.
• The City is also a member of the Coastal Housing Partnership , which offers home loan assistance and rental reductions.
• The Santa Barbara Peace Officers' Association represents this classification.

Revised 12/1/2024
01
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF APPLICANT STANDARDS/REASONS FOR REJECTION

According to State and Federal laws and the City of Santa Barbara Municipal Code, the following list identifies some of the more common potential reasons for rejection for the position of Public Safety Dispatcher I. It is designed to assist you in understanding and assessing requirements for the position. If you have any questions, you may call the Human Resources Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io. POTENTIAL REASONS FOR REJECTION:

1. Conviction of any felony.
2. Conviction of any sex crime.
3. Conviction of any other crime, the nature and seriousness of which would relate to the sensitivity and exposure characterized by this job classification.
4. Any abuse of narcotics, or drugs may disqualify.
5. Habitual use of intoxicating liquor in excess.
6. Lack of well-balanced credit.
7. A bad employment record, including behavior that is discourteous, disloyal, indecisive, undependable, uncooperative, lacking in capacity to work, insubordinate, disobedient, lacking in force, initiative, and judgment, lacking proper work habits and industry, emotionally unstable, unable to accept responsibility, unable to get along well with others, and/or intemperate.
8. Falsification of any required application or report.
9. Failure to pass controlled substance screening.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I understand that as part of the qualifying process for Public Safety Dispatcher I, I will have a polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, a thorough background investigation and a medical examination including controlled substances screening. I will also be required to complete a detailed personal history form. Any falsification of information or failure to meet the standards listed above will result in my disqualification.

• By clicking here, I submit my electronic signature acknowledging that I have read and understand the APPLICANT STANDARDS /REASONS FOR REJECTION listed above.

02


Have you ever been convicted of a crime, including a plea of guilty or no contest, which resulted in a criminal conviction? (Note: Do not include a conviction that has been judicially ordered sealed; expunged.) Also, pursuant to California Labor Code Section 432.8, exclude any misdemeanor convictions for marijuana-related offenses more than two years old; notwithstanding any of the preceding, you should not disclose convictions that are over two years old as of the date that you complete this application for violation of Health & Safety Code Section 11357, 11360, 11364, 11365, or 11550, as those statues related to marijuana prior to January 1, 1976 or a statutory predecessor to those statues.

• Yes
• No

03


If Yes, briefly describe for each conviction:

a) Type of conviction (felony or misdemeanor)
b) Nature of the crime
c) Date of conviction
d) Place of conviction
e) Case number
f) Legal disposition of the case

The City will not deny employment to any applicant solely because the person has been convicted of a crime. The City, however, may consider the nature, date, and circumstances of the offense as well as whether the offense is relevant to the duties of the position.

Completing this supplemental questionnaire is required as part of the recruitment process for employment. Applicants shall be rejected if he or she has made any false statement of any material fact, or practiced any deception or fraud on this supplemental questionnaire.
04


Were you referred to this position by a City of Santa Barbara Employee?

• Yes
• No

05


If you answered "yes" to #4 above, please enter the name of the employee.
Required Question