Police Dispatcher (Entry-Level)
Apply NowCompany: City of Cypress, CA
Location: Seal Beach, CA 90740
Description:
Salary: $6,051.00 - $7,719.00 Monthly
Location : Seal Beach, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 003WC
Department: West-Comm
Opening Date: 04/14/2025
Closing Date: 5/11/2025 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
THIS POSITION IS FOR THE WEST CITIES COMMUNICATIONS CENTER IN SEAL BEACH, NOT THE CITY OF CYPRESS.
The West Cities Police Communications Center is seeking highly-motivated, professional, enthusiastic, flexible and dedicated Entry-Level Police Dispatchers who have a proven background in job performance. The Police Dispatcher serves as the primary link between the public and the Police Officers in the field.
The West Cities Police Communications Center (West-Comm) was formed by a Joint Powers Agreement between the cities of Cypress, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach. The center is located at the Seal Beach Police Department, just one mile from the ocean and the historical Old Town District. West-Comm is a civilian managed organization committed to providing quality public safety services. To achieve this, it values diversity among staff and encourages each employee to take personal responsibility and make individual contributions. It is committed to professional and technical progress and motivated performance while serving as the vital link between the public and the police agencies it serves. West-Comm also provides dispatch services to the Orange County Harbors, Beaches, and Park Rangers.
Example of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Typical Qualifications
Ability to: Learn and maintain knowledge on Rules of the Federal Communications Commission Rules regarding police radio transmission, geography of affected cities and location of streets and landmarks; operate the agency's Computerized Dispatch System (CAD); effectively read and interpret maps; analyze dispatch calls and situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; work under stress and exercise good judgment in emergency situations; perform responsible clerical work of moderately-high difficulty; maintain records and prepare reports and correspondence; type at 35 wpm; and hear and speak clearly and distinctly in a well-modulated voice, using good diction.
Education and Experience: High school diploma or equivalent, prior public safety dispatch experience preferred, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
Successful completion of POST certified dispatch training program is required after hire.
Physical and Environmental Requirements
Sit and lean forward to prepare and review dispatch records, statistical reports, procedural manuals, and other police records; operate a computer terminal to access, retrieve, and enter records and reports; reach above or below shoulder level to retrieve records, reports from files, shelves, and storage areas; must operate telecommunications, radio, and alarm equipment; must possess normal vision and hearing acuity. Work is performed indoors in a controlled office environment and incumbent must be able to work closely with others, in confined spaces, and around electrical energy. Incumbent must be able to work variable work hours, including weekend and holiday assignments. Public interfaces are typically associated with calls for service and complaints. An incumbent may be required to operate an agency owned vehicle to deliver or pick up items or information for affected cities; therefore, possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and proof of an acceptable driving record is required to perform this activity. While subject to duties which require driving a vehicle, an incumbent must maintain an acceptable driving record.
Supplemental Information
Selection Process:
Criminal
1. Any felony conviction except as provided in Government Code 1029(b)-(e).
Illegal use or possession of drugs
1. Any adult use or possession of a drug classified as an illegal opiate, hallucinogen, stimulant, or depressant in the past 7 years. This includes cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, GHB, ecstasy, etc.
Financial
1. A pattern, history, or irresponsibility as evidenced by debt collections, civil judgements, or failure to pay, etc. Exigent circumstances may be evaluated on an individual basis.
Motor Vehicle Operations
1. Any conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs within the past seven years of the date of application or more than one conviction of driving under the influence at any time.
ALL WEST CITIES POLICE COMMUNICATIONS APPLICANTS WILL UNDERGO ATHOROUGH BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION TO ENSURE CANDIDATES ARE OF GOODMORAL CHARACTER (GOV'T CODE SECTION 1031).
If you have any questions about your situation, please contact the West Cities Police Communications Director at (562) 594-7243.
Paid Vacation - 80 vacation hours per year, up to a maximum of 160 hours at eleven years of employment.
Sick Leave - 8 hours per month. There is unlimited accumulation, and West-Comm has an annual payoff plan for unused sick leave, plus a payoff plan upon termination.
Holidays - 11 paid holidays per year, plus 8 hours of floating holiday time.
Tuition Reimbursement - Up to $2,000 per fiscal year.
Health Insurance - West-Comm pays 100% of the employee's group insurance premium, which includes medical, dental, vision, life, long and short term disability. Dependent/ additional benefits are available, a portion of which is paid by West-Comm.
Retirement - West-Comm is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Classic Classic members will be enrolled in the 2% @ 55 benefit formula. Employees pay 7% of salary towards their retirement benefit. Candidates not
currently employed by a CalPERS agency or exceeding six months of separation,
retirement benefits offered will conform to the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) after a January 1, 2013 date of hire. The retirement formula is 2% @ 62 and employees are responsible for paying 50% of the normal cost. West-Comm does not participate in Social Security.
Deferred Compensation - A voluntary program is also available.
01
Describe the extent of your current (within the past 3 years) public/customer contact experience. Include name of employer, dates and number of full-time years/months performing public/customer contact work and indicate type of contact (phone, person-to-person, matters handled).
02
Please list any current (within the past 3 years) college/university level coursework or training related to the field of law enforcement or police dispatching which you have completed. Include name of college/university and course name(s). If you have attained an AA, BS or MS in a related field, list degree and field of study only.
03
List computer hardware and software which you possess current operational knowledge.
04
List the type of confidential information you have worked with in your work experience. From your point of view, list the consequence(s) of this information being handled incorrectly.
05
List any public safety dispatching duties (police and/or fire and/or ambulance) performed within the past 5 years. Include the type and length of time within the assignment per employer and the type of emergency dispatch/telecommunications equipment you can operate with minimal training.
06
List the type of information you have worked with which has called for you to evaluate and make a decision for action. Be specific.
07
List any type of public service (paid or volunteer) you have performed or been involved in within the past 3 years.
08
This position requires that an incumbent work mandatory overtime with periodic changing shift assignments. Are you willing and able to work this type of schedule?
09
This position requires that an incumbent be available to perform shift work (days, nights, graveyard), including working on holidays and weekends. Are you willing and able to work this type of schedule?
10
This position requires that an incumbent be available to be called in to work on short notice and/or held over to cover unexpected vacancies. List your availability. Be specific regarding days and hours that cover a 24 hour, 7 day per week period.
11
In your own words, why do you want to be a West-Comm Dispatcher?
Required Question
Location : Seal Beach, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 003WC
Department: West-Comm
Opening Date: 04/14/2025
Closing Date: 5/11/2025 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
THIS POSITION IS FOR THE WEST CITIES COMMUNICATIONS CENTER IN SEAL BEACH, NOT THE CITY OF CYPRESS.
The West Cities Police Communications Center is seeking highly-motivated, professional, enthusiastic, flexible and dedicated Entry-Level Police Dispatchers who have a proven background in job performance. The Police Dispatcher serves as the primary link between the public and the Police Officers in the field.
The West Cities Police Communications Center (West-Comm) was formed by a Joint Powers Agreement between the cities of Cypress, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach. The center is located at the Seal Beach Police Department, just one mile from the ocean and the historical Old Town District. West-Comm is a civilian managed organization committed to providing quality public safety services. To achieve this, it values diversity among staff and encourages each employee to take personal responsibility and make individual contributions. It is committed to professional and technical progress and motivated performance while serving as the vital link between the public and the police agencies it serves. West-Comm also provides dispatch services to the Orange County Harbors, Beaches, and Park Rangers.
Example of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- On assigned shift, receive and dispose of incoming telephone and voice radio calls.
- If an emergency call, secure and record information as to the exact location, and use police radio to dispatch necessary police units.
- Maintain status of units on assignment, keep department officials informed of situations, and dispatch equipment when so advised.
- Log all police calls for service.
- Compile data and prepare reports of reported emergencies, equipment dispatched, and/or status of emergency.
- Assign case numbers, run vehicle and record checks, compile and maintain all departmental records.
- Process case reports, traffic accident reports and master index cards.
- Process warrants and police reports; conduct effective and cooperative communications and working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties.
- Perform related duties as required.
Typical Qualifications
Ability to: Learn and maintain knowledge on Rules of the Federal Communications Commission Rules regarding police radio transmission, geography of affected cities and location of streets and landmarks; operate the agency's Computerized Dispatch System (CAD); effectively read and interpret maps; analyze dispatch calls and situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; work under stress and exercise good judgment in emergency situations; perform responsible clerical work of moderately-high difficulty; maintain records and prepare reports and correspondence; type at 35 wpm; and hear and speak clearly and distinctly in a well-modulated voice, using good diction.
Education and Experience: High school diploma or equivalent, prior public safety dispatch experience preferred, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
Successful completion of POST certified dispatch training program is required after hire.
Physical and Environmental Requirements
Sit and lean forward to prepare and review dispatch records, statistical reports, procedural manuals, and other police records; operate a computer terminal to access, retrieve, and enter records and reports; reach above or below shoulder level to retrieve records, reports from files, shelves, and storage areas; must operate telecommunications, radio, and alarm equipment; must possess normal vision and hearing acuity. Work is performed indoors in a controlled office environment and incumbent must be able to work closely with others, in confined spaces, and around electrical energy. Incumbent must be able to work variable work hours, including weekend and holiday assignments. Public interfaces are typically associated with calls for service and complaints. An incumbent may be required to operate an agency owned vehicle to deliver or pick up items or information for affected cities; therefore, possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and proof of an acceptable driving record is required to perform this activity. While subject to duties which require driving a vehicle, an incumbent must maintain an acceptable driving record.
Supplemental Information
Selection Process:
- Application Screening (Qualifying)
- POST Written Exam
- Dispatch Sit-Along
- Oral Board Interview
- Interview with Police Communications Director
Criminal
1. Any felony conviction except as provided in Government Code 1029(b)-(e).
Illegal use or possession of drugs
1. Any adult use or possession of a drug classified as an illegal opiate, hallucinogen, stimulant, or depressant in the past 7 years. This includes cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, GHB, ecstasy, etc.
Financial
1. A pattern, history, or irresponsibility as evidenced by debt collections, civil judgements, or failure to pay, etc. Exigent circumstances may be evaluated on an individual basis.
Motor Vehicle Operations
1. Any conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs within the past seven years of the date of application or more than one conviction of driving under the influence at any time.
ALL WEST CITIES POLICE COMMUNICATIONS APPLICANTS WILL UNDERGO ATHOROUGH BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION TO ENSURE CANDIDATES ARE OF GOODMORAL CHARACTER (GOV'T CODE SECTION 1031).
If you have any questions about your situation, please contact the West Cities Police Communications Director at (562) 594-7243.
Paid Vacation - 80 vacation hours per year, up to a maximum of 160 hours at eleven years of employment.
Sick Leave - 8 hours per month. There is unlimited accumulation, and West-Comm has an annual payoff plan for unused sick leave, plus a payoff plan upon termination.
Holidays - 11 paid holidays per year, plus 8 hours of floating holiday time.
Tuition Reimbursement - Up to $2,000 per fiscal year.
Health Insurance - West-Comm pays 100% of the employee's group insurance premium, which includes medical, dental, vision, life, long and short term disability. Dependent/ additional benefits are available, a portion of which is paid by West-Comm.
Retirement - West-Comm is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Classic Classic members will be enrolled in the 2% @ 55 benefit formula. Employees pay 7% of salary towards their retirement benefit. Candidates not
currently employed by a CalPERS agency or exceeding six months of separation,
retirement benefits offered will conform to the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) after a January 1, 2013 date of hire. The retirement formula is 2% @ 62 and employees are responsible for paying 50% of the normal cost. West-Comm does not participate in Social Security.
Deferred Compensation - A voluntary program is also available.
01
Describe the extent of your current (within the past 3 years) public/customer contact experience. Include name of employer, dates and number of full-time years/months performing public/customer contact work and indicate type of contact (phone, person-to-person, matters handled).
02
Please list any current (within the past 3 years) college/university level coursework or training related to the field of law enforcement or police dispatching which you have completed. Include name of college/university and course name(s). If you have attained an AA, BS or MS in a related field, list degree and field of study only.
03
List computer hardware and software which you possess current operational knowledge.
04
List the type of confidential information you have worked with in your work experience. From your point of view, list the consequence(s) of this information being handled incorrectly.
05
List any public safety dispatching duties (police and/or fire and/or ambulance) performed within the past 5 years. Include the type and length of time within the assignment per employer and the type of emergency dispatch/telecommunications equipment you can operate with minimal training.
06
List the type of information you have worked with which has called for you to evaluate and make a decision for action. Be specific.
07
List any type of public service (paid or volunteer) you have performed or been involved in within the past 3 years.
08
This position requires that an incumbent work mandatory overtime with periodic changing shift assignments. Are you willing and able to work this type of schedule?
- Yes
- No
09
This position requires that an incumbent be available to perform shift work (days, nights, graveyard), including working on holidays and weekends. Are you willing and able to work this type of schedule?
- Yes
- No
10
This position requires that an incumbent be available to be called in to work on short notice and/or held over to cover unexpected vacancies. List your availability. Be specific regarding days and hours that cover a 24 hour, 7 day per week period.
11
In your own words, why do you want to be a West-Comm Dispatcher?
Required Question