Dispatcher II

Dispatcher II Position

See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities. This is not an entry-level dispatcher position. Applicants are encouraged to apply to other dispatcher recruitments, as vacancies may be filled utilizing any current dispatcher eligible lists (Dispatcher I and Fire Dispatcher). You will be required to pass a computer-based performance test to be considered for Dispatcher II positions. Multi-tasking skills and the ability to make quick decisions are essential to be a successful dispatcher. For positions in the Police Department, selected candidates will undergo a comprehensive character and background investigation, including a polygraph examination and fingerprint check prior to hire. Felony convictions, domestic violence convictions, or use of any illegal drugs may be disqualifying. For additional information, refer to the following link:

Dispatcher II positions in the Police and Fire-Rescue Departments work on a Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and are the primary answering point for all 911 and non-emergency phone calls from within the City of San Diego (Fire-Rescue Department has dispatch contracts with Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City, and Poway); elicit essential incident information from callers; determine the nature and extent of the request, the priority of the problem and the need for dispatching police, fire or medical field units; enter appropriate information by typing on a computer keyboard into a dispatch format; answer routine inquiries and refer calls not requiring dispatch to the appropriate department or agency; and perform other duties as assigned.

Note for all Dispatcher II positions:

• Employees in job classifications represented by the Municipal Employees Association (MEA) are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
• 3.5% effective 7/1/27
• 2% effective 7/1/28
• 2% effective 1/1/29
• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).

Notes for Police and Fire-Rescue Department positions:

• Police and Fire-Rescue Departments Dispatcher II employees may answer 50-170 calls a day and are required to sit for long periods of time. Please refer to the Supplemental Information section of the job bulletin for a more detailed description of typical Dispatcher II duties and working conditions.
• Police and Fire-Rescue Departments Dispatcher II employees may be required to work during all City holidays.
• Police and Fire-rescue Departments Dispatcher II employees may be required to work extended periods of night or unusual shift work for which they may receive 5% additional pay.
• The communication center in the Police and Fire-Rescue Departments operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with day, evening, and night shifts. Dispatcher II employees will be rotated to different shifts on a periodic basis.

Notes for Police Department positions:

• Police Department Dispatcher II employees typical starting hourly rate is $33.53.
• Police Department Dispatcher II employees must obtain a California P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatcher Course Certificate within one year from date of hire.
• Police Department Dispatcher II employees who possess a California P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatcher Course Certificate are eligible for 20% additional pay.
• Police Department Dispatcher II employees assigned as operators in the 911 Police Department Phone Room are eligible for 5% additional special assignment pay.
• Police Department Dispatcher II employees work 10 hours per shift, four days per week, with three consecutive days off.
• Police Department Dispatcher II employees may be required to work overtime.

Notes for Fire-Rescue Department positions:

• Fire-Rescue Department Dispatcher II employees work 12-hour shifts (44/36 rotation schedule).
• Fire-Rescue Department Dispatcher II employees may be required to work overtime during training, if needed, on cleared positions.
• Fire-Rescue Department Dispatcher II employees are eligible for 17.5% additional pay after successfully completing the paid mandatory Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification course.
• All dispatcher classifications in the Fire-Rescue Department are subject to mandated overtime beyond their scheduled shift with short notice to maintain staffing levels.

Minimum Requirements

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

Citizenship: You must be a United States citizen or have the current legal right to work in the United States.

Education: You must meet one of the following options:

1. Graduation from high school.
2. Passage of the General Education Development (G.E.D.) test.
3. Passage of the California High School Proficiency Examination (C.H.S.P.E.).
4. Possession of a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from a college or university.

Note:

• Candidates screened by the San Diego Police Department must present proof of education when they submit their Background Investigation Questionnaire.

Experience: You must meet one of the following options:

1. Six months of prior experience as a Dispatcher I or Dispatcher II with the City of San Diego.
2. One year of experience as a Dispatcher in a law enforcement agency or fire department.
3. One year of experience as a Dispatcher performing emergency dispatch for a medical transport company or department.

Note:

• Experience as a dispatcher for taxis, buses, tow trucks, private security systems, automobile clubs or non-emergency medical transport companies is not qualifying.

Highly desirable:

• The ability to communicate and understand any of the following languages: Spanish, Korean, Arabic, Farsi, Somali, Chinese, Indochinese or Tagalog.

Screening Process

The screening process will consist of the following components:

1. Application Review: Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met.

2. Performance Test: The performance test is a computer-based work simulation test that measures the general aptitudes needed to be a Dispatcher. No prior dispatch experience is necessary to pass the test. The test includes the following fourteen (14) test modules and ten (10) decision-making scenario prompts that activate during the administration of the test modules. The prompts measure the ability to make decisions quickly and accurately in a multi-task environment and to correctly signal the response using a computer:

• Data Entry: The ability to read written data and accurately enter that data using a keyboard.
• Data Entry (Audio): The ability to hear audible data and accurately enter that data using a keyboard.
• Call Summarization 1: The ability to hear, comprehend, and summarize audible information.
• Call Summarization 2: The ability to hear and comprehend audible information while accurately entering that information using a keyboard, and to subsequently use that information.
• Cross Referencing: The ability to locate information, requested in writing, on a written list and to correctly/accurately respond using a keyboard.
• Cross Referencing (Audio): The ability to locate information, requested audibly, on a written list and to correctly/accurately respond using a keyboard.
• Character Comparison: The ability to compare and contrast written data.
• Memory Recall: The ability to learn and later recognize associated information.
• Memory Recall – Numeric (Audio): The ability to hear data (number sequences), memorize it, and then use a keyboard to accurately enter the data.
• Prioritization: The ability to evaluate and analyze information in order to prioritize or categorize incidents.
• Map Reading: The ability to use maps for determining routes and locations