Police Dispatcher

Salary: $73,431.00 - $97,941.00 Annually
Location : Orange Police Dept - 1107 N. Batavia, Orange, CA
Job Type: Full Time Miscellaneous
Job Number: 01722
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 07/23/2026
Closing Date: 8/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Max Number of Applicants: 148

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 by becoming a Police Dispatcher with one of the best Police Departments in Orange County! Ideal candidates are calm, concise, decisive, and compassionate under pressure. If that describes you, apply today!
This recruitment will close upon receipt of 150 applications, or on August 17th - whichever occurs first.
For information on the City of Orange Police Department, .
THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

It is important that candidates read and become familiar with the job flyer in its entirety as pertinent information is provided here regarding application requirements. All fields of the application must be completed. If a field in the application does not apply, candidates must indicate N/A in that field.


Generally, this 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 - 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 th 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.

An employee who is a " Classic " Member of CalPERS or a current member of another California public retirement system who is hired by the City of Orange on or after January 1, 2013, will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2.7% @ 55 benefit formula with one year final compensation. Employees contribute 8.00% of pension reportable salary on a pre-tax basis for this retirement benefit.
Effective January 1, 2013, newly hired non-safety employees who are " New " CalPERS Members, as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 ("PEPRA"), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% at age 62 defined benefit plan with three year final compensation in accordance with Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). New Members shall contribute half of normal cost of retirement as determined by CalPERS from their pensionable compensation, on a pre-tax basis, as set forth in California Government Code Section 7522.30.


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. The City pays $2,120 per month (Family), which can be applied towards medical, dental, or vision insurances, and/or taken as cash under certain criteria.


Life Insurance. The City provides a term life insurance policy of $50,000 .

Vacation. Police employees earn 80 hours of vacation during the first year of service, and an increasing accrual annually up to 220 hours per year after 30 years of service. The City also provides an annual unused vacation payout plan.

Holidays. Employees receive 115 hours of holiday accrual each year to be taken as time off or converted to cash.

Sick Leave. Sick leave is accrued at a rate of 96 hours per year. Employees are eligible to convert unused sick leave to vacation on an annual basis. A partial payment (up to 50%) for accumulated unused sick leave is available to City employees who retire from the City.

Other Benefits. Most employees work a "4/10" alternate work schedule . An Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement (up to $1,500/fiscal year), Trip Reduction Program incentives, optional Deferred Compensation programs and Credit Union membership are a few of the additional benefits provided and/or available to employees.

For more information, please click for the Police Association Memorandum of Understanding.


CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

A Medical Examination , Police Records Check, and thorough Background Investigation are required of all prospective employees.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform & Control Act of 1986 (IRCA ), all job offers made by the City of Orange are contingent upon establishing proof of your legal right to work in the United States.

All benefitted employees shall be subject to a twelve (12) month probationary period as a condition of employment.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express 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 contributions toward benefit costs, are subject to change as a result of periodic contract settlements between recognized employee associations and the City of Orange.
The City of Orange is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
01


Have you read the Automatic Disqualifier Notice and understand that if any of the listed items apply, it will lead to an automatic disqualification from the selection process?

• Yes, I have read the Notice and understand the statement above.

02


Do you have the legal right to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you understand that, as a condition of continued employment with the City of Orange Police Department, you must 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 (1107 N. Batavia St, Orange, CA 92867)?

• Yes, I understand and will meet this requirement.
• No

04


Have you included all work history for at least the past ten (10) years, including the accurate dates of employment and the reason for leaving an employer? NOTE: Failure to include this information in your application may lead to disqualification from the selection process.

• Yes
• No

05


Do you understand that as a Police Dispatcher, you would be answering telephone calls from the public for law enforcement services, including 9-1-1 emergency calls, and dispatching Police personnel?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you understand that, upon successful completion of the initial probationary period, your work hours (shift), days off, and vacation time selections will change periodically and will be subject to bid on a seniority basis, based on your hire date with the City of Orange into this job classification?

• Yes
• No

07


Do you understand that you must be prepared to work any shift during a 24-hour period, on holidays and weekends, and to rotate shifts periodically?

• Yes
• No

08


Do you understand that newly hired Police Dispatchers are tested at various points throughout their probationary period and must achieve passing scores on each test in order to continue employment? Additionally, do you understand that failure to successfully achieve dispatch training goals during the probationary period results in termination of City employment?

• Yes
• No

09


Which statement below best describes you as a candidate?

• I am a Lateral candidate (currently employed by a California law enforcement agency as a Dispatcher AND I have my CA POST Dispatcher Basic Certificate).
• I do have a passing Typing Certificate AND passing T-Score but I am NOT a Lateral candidate. Note: If you have a passing Typing Certificate and T-Score, they will need to be attached to your application upon submission in order to possibly waive those steps of our recruitment process.
• Neither. My situation is different than the above two options.

10


Do you have a California POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery T-Score of 48 or higher? If Yes, attach a copy of your T-Score document to your application. If you are a Lateral Dispatcher candidate, select "Not applicable" below.

• Yes, I have a T-Score of 48 or higher and have attached it to my application.
• I'm not sure. I recently took the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery with another agency, but have not received my results yet. I will submit my results via email when/if I am invited to take this exam with the City of Orange.
• No, I do not have a T-Score of 48 or higher. At this point I would need to take this written exam with the City of Orange.
• Not applicable - I am a Lateral Dispatcher Candidate.

11


Do you have an in-person Typing Certificate indicating a corrected typing speed of 35+ WPM dated in the last six (6) months? (If Yes, attach a copy of this document to your application.)

• Yes, and I have attached my Typing Certificate to my application.
• No, I do not have a Typing Certificate. I will need to take the typing test with the City of Orange.

12


Have you obtained your California POST Dispatcher Basic Certificate? (Note: This certificate requires the successful completion of a probationary period as a law enforcement agency dispatcher.) If Yes, attach a copy of your certificate to your application.

• Yes, and I have attached this certificate to my application.
• No, I have not yet obtained this certificate.

13


Have you completed the California POST Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course? (If Yes, attach a copy of your course completion certificate to your application.)

• Yes, I have completed the Dispatchers' Basic Course.
• No, I have not completed the Dispatchers' Basic Course.

14


Police Dispatcher candidates are required to have two (2) years of general work experience involving frequent interactions with the public. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

15


It is highly desirable for Police Dispatcher candidates to have one or more of the following. Select all that apply to you.

• I have at least one (1) year of dispatch experience in a public safety (police and/or fire) or fast-paced setting.
• I have at least one (1) year of experience operating communications equipment in a fast-paced setting, but not in a public safety (police and/or fire).
• None of the above.

16


Have you completed high school in the United States, or at an accredited U.S. Dept. of Defense institution, or have you passed a proficiency exam or the G.E.D. test? Note: If you check Yes, the Institution Name, Dates, City, and State should be listed in the Education section of your application.

• Yes
• No

17


Indicate the highest level of formal education you have completed:

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Technical or vocational certificate
• Some college coursework, but no degree
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

18


Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony? (Check all that apply.)

• Misdemeanor
• Felony
• No Convictions

19


If you answered Felony and/or Misdemeanor above, explain the conviction(s) below. If you answered No Convictions, type N/A below.
20


Have you received five (5) or more traffic citations in the past seven (7) years (excluding parking citations)? Include any violations for which you attended traffic school, and citations that were dismissed.

• Yes
• No

21


Have you been the driver in three (3) or more at-fault traffic collisions in the past three (3) years?

• Yes
• No

22


Have you been convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in the last two (2) years?

• Yes
• No

23


Have you ever sold, manufactured, grown, and/or transported illegal or prescription drugs?

• Yes
• No

24


Have you ever used Heroin or Hallucinogens (i.e. LSD, PCP, Mushrooms, Peyote)?

• Yes
• No

25


Have you illegally used, ingested, possessed, distributed, sold, or furnished Methamphetamines, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Ecstasy, Nitrous Oxide, Inhalants, and/or Illegal Injectable Steroids within the past seven (7) years?

• Yes
• No

26


If you answered Yes to any of the drug-related questions above, please explain the circumstances. If you answered No, indicate N/A.
27


Have you ever been arrested for, or accused of, any assault (domestic violence) against anyone you have had a relationship with, lived with, or with whom you had a child?

• Yes
• No

28


Have you ever been a suspect in, or arrested for, any type of crime(s)? Include incidents at all ages ( juvenile and adult ). Include incidents where you were cited and released for a criminal offense (i.e., petty theft, DUI, alcohol violations, vandalism, etc.). NOTE: Do not include traffic infractions.

• Yes
• No

29


As an adult, have you ever accessed pornography involving minors for pleasure?

• Yes
• No

30


Within the last five (5) years have you shoplifted in excess of $950 or committed theft in excess of $950?

• Yes
• No

31


If you answered Yes to any of the background-related questions above, please provide the date(s), incident(s), and provide an explanation of the circumstances. If you answered No to these questions, indicate N/A.
32


Have you ever taken a polygraph examination? If yes, provide the date, agency, and results. If no, type N/A.
33


Have you ever been disqualified during the background investigation process for any position within a law enforcement agency? NOTE: This does not include failing a physical ability test, written test, or oral interview.If yes, indicate the agency(ies), date(s), and the result(s) below. If no, type No.
34


Please indicate your military service below.

• Active US Military
• Active US Military Reserve
• Former Military Service
• No Military Service

35


If you served in the military, were you ever subject to discipline under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice? If so, provide the date(s) and an explanation. If not, or not applicable, type No.
36


If you served in the military, did you receive a general discharge under other than honorable conditions?

• Not applicable - I did not serve in the military
• No
• Yes

37


Successful candidates for law enforcement employment must pass a thorough background investigation, which includes a criminal history check, employment history verification, driving history check, educational history check, credit check, fingerprinting, polygraph test, medical examination, and drug test. Do you acknowledge and understand this information?

• Yes, I acknowledge and understand this information.

38


All information in your application is subject to verification through a thorough background investigation including a polygraph test. Do you certify that all the information you provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge and belief, and do you understand that purposely providing false information will be grounds for disqualification from the selection process?

• Yes, I certify that all the information I have provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief, and I understand that purposely providing false information will be grounds for disqualification from the selection process.

Required Question