Police Dispatcher

1.) If you have a California P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery T-Score of 48 or higher, please attach your T-Score document to your application. Doing so may allow candidates who are selected to proceed in the recruitment to waive the subsequent written exam step of the process. 

2.) If you have completed the California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course, please attach your certificate to your application.

It is important that applicants read and become familiar with the job posting, as pertinent information is provided here regarding application requirements.

Applications must be completed in their entirety. If a field in the application does not apply to you, please indicate so by typing "N/A". Incomplete applications, applications directed to incorrect agencies/jurisdictions, and/or applications submitted without the required attachments (if applicable) will result in disqualification.

Applicants MUST attach a Typing Certificate noting a 35 WPM typing speed dated within six (6) months of the date of application submission. Failure to attach this document will result in disqualification. (Please see the Supplemental Information section of this job posting for full details regarding the Typing Certificate requirements.)

EXCEPTION: Candidates who are currently employed as a dispatcher with another California law enforcement agency do NOT need to attach a Typing Certificate. 

To receive incoming calls for police and emergency assistance and dispatch necessary units; to perform a variety of general support duties related to dispatch activities including record keeping, typing, and filing; and to monitor Teletype communications.

Under general supervision from higher level supervisory and management staff, Police Dispatcher duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 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.

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.

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.

Required: 

Completion of the twelfth (12th) grade or equivalent, and 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; and/or one (1) year of experience operating communications equipment; and/or possession of a California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course certificate.

 

License or Certificate: 

Possession of, or ability to, obtain a valid California driver license by time of hire. 

Possession of, or ability to obtain, completion of the California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course. 

Typing Certificate indicating a corrected typing speed of at least 35 wpm. (Please see the Supplemental Information section of this posting for details regarding this certificate, and to determine if the requirement applies to you.)

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 available to work various shifts, including, but not limited to, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

 

Typing Certificates must be an original 5-minute timed typing certificate noting a net typing speed (after errors) of 35 wpm or more. This certificate must be dated within six (6) months of the application date and issued by an accredited school, agency, facility, or institution that is deemed acceptable by the City's Human Resources Department. 

Online typing tests will not be accepted. Emailed test results from typing test websites will not be accepted. The certificate must contain the official emblem and name of the agency that administered the exam, as well as the following information:

Many adult schools, community colleges, and temporary employment service agencies provide typing certificates for your convenience and most do charge some type of fee; however, the City will not reimburse for any costs associated with an applicant's typing certificate. It is the applicant's responsibility to find a location that offers acceptable typing tests/certificates - the City of Orange does not offer this information. 

Questions regarding how to submit an online application can be sent to Christina Lopez at clopez@cityoforange.org, or asked in person at the Human Resources Department located at City Hall, 300 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA 92866. City Hall hours are Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. City Hall is closed every other Friday.

For information on the City of Orange Police Department, visit the Orange Police Department's website.

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.

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% @ age 62 defined benefit plan with three year final compensation in accordance with Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). New Members will be required to pay 6.00% of pension reportable salary as their full share of their member contribution. Effective July 1, 2020 the employee contribution amount will increase to 6.75%. 

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 $1,745 per month, which can be applied towards medical, dental, or vision insurances, and/or taken as cash under certain criteria. This amount will increase to $1,820 effective January 1, 2022 and $1,895 effective January 1, 2023.

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance. A variety of medical insurance plans are available through the PERS Health Benefits program.

Life Insurance.  The City provides a term life insurance policy of $40,000.

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 100 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 $1,250/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 here for the Police Association Memorandum of Understanding. 

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.

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, Integrity, and Excellence.