Police Communications Dispatcher (Entry-level)

Communications Dispatcher
Milpitas Police Department, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Police
Communications
The first application review date is Friday, September 18, 2026.
Base Salary: $114,889.84 - $139,647.30 Annually Dispatchers receive 6% Holiday In-lieu pay
Total Salary: $121,783.23 - $148,026.14 Annually (Range includes holiday in-lieu pay only) In addition, Dispatchers are eligible to receive the following additional pay:

• Up to 5% Night Differential
• The Police Department is committed to protecting lives and property by working with our community and providing professional and responsive police services. Our Communications Center serves as the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for accessing police, fire, and medical services within the City of Milpitas and is staffed 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, providing the highest quality of service to a population of over 80,000. Working with us is an opportunity to join a tight-knit group of professionals dedicated to public safety.

The Milpitas Police Department seeks committed and compassionate candidates with strong multi-tasking skills to join an amazing team. You will be at the heart of our operations, orchestrating the movement of resources and working with a diverse team that includes dispatchers and dispatcher supervisors.
Located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay, Milpitas is a progressive community that is an integral part of Silicon Valley. As a full-service city of 452 full-time employees with water utility, sewer utility, police and fire services, Milpitas serves a diverse population of nearly 80,000. The homeownership rate is close to 70%, and the Milpitas housing market remains relatively affordable in Santa Clara County. Milpitas is a full-service city that includes Police, Fire, and a water utility and sewer utility. The Council makes planning and policy decisions for residents, and oversees the City's $253.2 million budget. Issues currently challenging the City include development, quality of life, and traffic.
Receive emergency calls from the public requesting police, fire, 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 accurate status and location of police field units and fire units.
Answer non-emergency calls for assistance; answer maintenance service emergencies on weekends and holidays.
Prioritize and coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement agencies.
Answer incoming phone calls; screen calls and route to the appropriate person or office.
Enter, update, and retrieve information from various databases relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information.
This position requires shift work, depending on the operational needs of the department.
Entry-level: The following documents must be uploaded in the Attachments Section of your application. Failure to attach the required documents below will be considered an incomplete application, and will result in disqualification from the recruitment process.
Entry-Level Applicants:

• Copy of typing certification with 35 wpm, completed with one year of application submission. Typing Certificates must be obtained from an employment center or adult education center. Online typing certificates will not be accepted.
• Copy of California POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery with a T-Score of 50 or above OR copy of the successful completion of the Criticall test

Failure to submit all documents will result in disqualification from the recruitment process.
Applicants whose qualifications best meet our current needs will be invited to participate in the selection process that will consist of an oral board interview, polygraph test, background investigation, psychological exam, and medical exam. For information regarding the California POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery visit
Receives general supervision from the Communications Supervisor.
May provide technical supervision to less experienced staff in the communication center.
General office environment; able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Milpitas.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Milpitas will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Human Resources Department.