Public Safety Dispatcher I

Salary : $78,680.99 - $85,985.33 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: View phone number on click.appcast.io
Department: Police
Opening Date: 02/02/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.

JOB OPPORTUNITY


Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications outlined in the job classification specification will receive a link to complete the City of Berkeley CritiCall test. Please note that the City does not accept test results from other agencies or POST tests. Do not attach other test scores to your application.

The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Public Safety Dispatcher I in the Police Department! In this role, you will have the opportunity to receive 911 system emergency and non-emergency calls, operate various dispatch center equipment including computer terminals, and maintains records.

The Public Safety Dispatcher I is the entry-level class in the professional public safety dispatching series. Under close supervision, incumbents are trained in providing technical communications support and computer information processing for police, fire, animal control, parking enforcement, and public works functions in a limited capacity, in addition to call screening and record-keeping and information retrieval in support of public safety activities.


Public Safety Dispatcher I incumbents gain knowledge and experience through on-the-job training and have the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency to promote to Public Safety Dispatcher II upon successful completion of the Public Safety Dispatcher Training Program and probation.

See the full job description here:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS


A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:


EDUCATION
Equivalent to graduation from high school.


OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to pass a medical and psychiatric evaluation. Must be willing to work evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts.


Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, the incumbent is required to maintain a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record.

APPLICATION PROCESS


Applicants must submit:

• Completed application (Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.)
• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to . Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
Please be aware of unauthorized job postings and communications. Applications will only be accepted via GovernmentJobs.com and we will only email candidates from the governmentjobs.com or berkeleyca.gov domain. If you encounter a suspicious job post or communication, please alert us at

EXAM PROCESS


The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the administrative review date)
• Written Exam: CritiCall test - Modules will include decision making, cross referencing, data entry, keyboarding, call summarization, map reading memory recall position locating, prioritization, sentence clarity, spelling, and knowledge, skills, and abilities as outlined in the job class specification.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications outlined in the job classification specification will receive a link to complete the City of Berkeley CritiCall test. Please note that the City does not accept test results from other agencies or POST tests. Do not attach other test scores to your application.

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.

Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background check that may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of employment history, educational credentials and degrees, certificates, registrations, and licenses including driver's license; credit check; criminal history check; and Live Scan fingerprinting.


EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER

The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.


DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.
Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.

Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.

Retirement
CalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).

Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (SRIP)
The City contributes 6.7% of the first $32,400 of the employee's salary (up to $2,170.80 annually) into a 401(a) account. The City is not a member of Social Security, therefore only the Medicare portion is deducted from employees' salaries.

Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.

Medical Plans
Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plan HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Dental Plan
The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $2,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $2,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy in the amount of $25,000. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.

Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.


Vacation
New employees accrue 80 hours of vacation annually. Vacation accrual rates increase at 4 years, 12 years, 18 years, and 25 years of service.


Holidays
15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually

Uniform Allowance
Employees in select classifications receive up to $1,400 annually (see )
(SEIU MC)
01


Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

02


Please indicate where you first learned about this job opening.

• Digital Billboard on Freeway
• Banner on Public Safety Bulletin
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Nextdoor
• YouTube
• Government Jobs
• Join Berkeley PD
• Linkedin
• Indeed
• Zip Recruiter
• Career Fair /Event
• Presentation at Academy
• Presentation at school
• POST Exam
• Presentation Military
• Berkeley Careers

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