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We’re looking for skilled 9-1-1 Police Dispatchers who are passionate about public safety and excel in communication to join our dynamic Police Department.

This critical role involves handling emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatching officers to service calls, and operating advanced communication equipment, including radios, telephones, and computer systems. It’s a challenging yet deeply rewarding position that directly impacts the safety and well-being of our community.

We offer competitive pay, with the ability to hire above the starting rate based on relevant experience.

Work Schedule: This position follows a 4/10 varied work schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays, with rotations every four months.

Pay range for this position is $29.09 - $37.12 hourly, plus additional night shift pay, and amazing benefits!

Our Minimum Qualifications for consideration are:

Education:  Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Additional specialized training in communications or a related field is desirable. 

Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible communications or dispatch experience; or two years of law enforcement support experience utilizing one or more of the following systems:

• California Law Enforcement Telecommunications Systems (CLETS)
• Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD)
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
• Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) 

License/Certificates: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) Basic Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate within one year of employment.

Special Requirements: Must be 18 years of age as of the date of hire; a United States citizen or meet citizenship requirements; and be of good moral character with no felony convictions.

Testing Process:

• Oral Interview
• Background Investigation includes a medical exam, psychological evaluation, polygraph, and drug/alcohol screening.

A full Job Description is available for review utilizing the link below: 

Join our team!

Looking for a fast-paced, rewarding career in public safety? Join our Police Department as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher Trainee and become an essential part of the emergency response team.

Make a difference every day in this role, you'll provide life-saving services, connect those in need with critical assistance, and help ensure the safety and well-being of our community.

See it for yourself! Click on the link below for a behind-the-scenes look at the high-energy world of emergency dispatching

Paid Training Provided!

We equip you with the skills to handle emergency & non-emergency calls, dispatch police officers, and operate advanced communication systems.

Starting Pay: $53,545/year ($25.74/hour) 

Promotion to Police Dispatcher: $60,507/year ($29.09/hour) 

Growth Potential: Up to $77,209/year ($37.12/hour)

Work-Life Balance

• 10-hour shifts (4 days a week)

• Rotations every four months

• Night, weekend, & holiday shifts may apply

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:  Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Additional specialized training in communications or a related field is desirable. 

Experience: Some emergency or non-emergency dispatch experience is desirable. 

License/Certificates: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Terminal Operator Certificate within one year of employment. 

Special Requirements: 

• Must be 18 years of age as of the date of hire
• United States citizen or meet citizenship requirements
• High School Diploma or GED
• Good moral character with no felony convictions

Recruitment Process:

1. Computerized test - Pass or Fail*
2. Oral Interview
3. Background Investigation includes a medical exam, psychological evaluation, polygraph, and drug/alcohol screening. 

*Computerized Testing Process: Testing is administered by the National Testing Network (NTN), which will share your test results with the City to progress your application to the next steps. 

To register and schedule your test:

1. Visit www.nationaltestingnetwork.com
2. Select "Find Jobs," then "Emergency Communication Jobs."
3. Sign up for the Simi Valley Police Department.

During your visit to the NTN website, complete the registration process, schedule your test, and review detailed information, including the testing process and FAQ's. Testing is available virtually or in person at designated facilities.

Testing Fee Waiver: A fee is required for the written exam. Candidates facing financial hardship may request a fee waiver before registering for the test. For more details, see Candidate FAQ #26 at NTN FAQ's.

Location: 501 Main Street Half Moon Bay, 94019

The City of Half Moon Bay has an exciting opportunity for the position of Communications Program Manager!  APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2025, 5:00 P.M.

ABOUT THE CITY:

The City of Half Moon Bay is a Bay Area coastal community of approximately 12,500 residents and is located 25 miles south of San Francisco. The City is governed by a five-member elected City Council and utilizes the council-manager form of government. The City Council appoints a City Manager who is responsible for the oversight of daily operations and provides leadership for the City’s programs. The City currently employs 45 full-time employees in the following departments:  City Manager’s Office, Communications / City Clerk, Administrative Services, Community Development, and Public Works. The City contracts Public Safety with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department.

The city and surrounding Coastside are a thriving agricultural, fishing, tourism, and recreational destination. There is a rich culture of diverse traditions and multi-generational families who have lived in Half Moon Bay for well over 100 years. In any given neighborhood, you will find farmers, high-tech entrepreneurs, and artists living amongst each other as one community.

Description

The incumbent provides high-level public information, community outreach, and multi-media services that require in-depth knowledge of public sector communications, multi-media, script writing and editing, website and graphic design and experience in managing and implementing creative and innovative promotions and projects.

Under general direction, the Communications Program Manager coordinates the citywide public communications activities and maintains content on the City's website and intranet; implements and supports internal and external communications efforts; and coordinates social media and video communications activities.  Incumbents may function as a supervisor of as-needed employees, or an individual contributor, depending on the department or assignment.

Applications must be filled out completely. Please do not substitute "see resume or see personnel file" in the employment history section of the application. To be considered for this position, candidates must submit: 1) City Employment Application online, 2) Current Resume, and 3) Cover Letter, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
 
Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee admittance into the examination process.  Only the most qualified candidates who demonstrate the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will be invited to test.
 

Typical Duties:

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop, lead, and implement community outreach strategies to engage residents, local organizations, and stakeholders (e.g. Civic Academies). 
• Implement marketing and advertising campaigns to promote City services, activities, programs, and special events. 
• Develop, write, edit, and produce various communication materials including newsletters, brochures, correspondence, reports, speeches, presentations, and special publications.
• Perform the research, planning, and analysis necessary to develop and implement the City’s community relations and public communications efforts.
• Write and coordinate the preparation, publication, and distribution of the weekly City’s newsletter and other departmental and project-based newsletters, as well as City brochures, press releases, multimedia scripts, and other collateral materials.
• Maintain the City’s website content and design ensuring accuracy, consistency, and quality.
• Coordinate and develop the City’s social media program and policies.
• Interface and coordinate with graphic designers, printers, and mailing services for production and distribution of materials.
• Respond orally or in writing to public inquiries and provide information to the public on services, facilities, and programs, as needed.
• Attend a variety of staff, Council, commission, and other related meetings.
• Provide advice and support to City staff regarding public and media relations.
• Prepare and submit award nominations, proclamations, and other written materials as needed.
• Receive, prepare, respond to, and facilitate solutions to citizen complaints, inquiries, and requests.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of special events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of communications and public information techniques through different mediums, including print, internet, radio, and television.  
• Effective outreach strategies and techniques for engaging community members and affiliations, neighborhood organizations, business groups, and other such organizations.
• Effective public presentation methods to attract and inform a variety of audiences.
• City services, structure, programs, and policies.
• Web design tools; familiarity with graphic design software.
• Social media tools and account management.
• Research and problem-solving techniques.
• Proper grammar, punctuation, spelling and diction.
• Pertinent state, federal, and local laws and regulations.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, in person, online, and over the telephone.

Skill to:

• Develop, plan, and coordinate a community relations and public communications function.
• Understand and effectively communicate technical data and complex information to the public and media.
• Analyze and draw logical and sensitive conclusions.
• Write effective proposals, press releases, articles, and award nominations.

Ability to:

• Set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments with minimal direction.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with City staff, public, agencies, organizations, and vendors.
• Prepare and present clear, effective, and accurate staff reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other oral and written materials.
• Use initiative and independent judgment within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Take a courteous, effective, and proactive approach to customer service.
• Interpret, apply, and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances, as needed in relation to communications tasks.

The City of Lincoln is creating an applicant pool for the position of Public Safety Dispatcher I/II within the Police Department.  Interested applicants may submit their application to be part of the applicant pool.  As new vacancies occur, the recruitment team will review applications for consideration.

The Lincoln Police Department is authorized for 23 sworn officers, six dispatchers, and various other civilian and volunteer positions.  The dispatch center provides public safety dispatch services for the Lincoln Police Department and three Lincoln Fire stations. The communications center is staffed 24/7 and dispatchers work in pairs or solo. Public safety dispatchers answer emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire and other city services.  Dispatchers prioritize calls and dispatch public safety units as needed.  Heavy phone and radio use is a primary duty of the position.  Other duties include clerical and specialized record keeping functions.

Under immediate supervision, this position performs a wide variety of technical and clerical law enforcement support duties related to taking police, fire and medical emergency requests for service from the public and tracks and dispatches field units as appropriate; gathers, records, maintains, retrieves and distributes law enforcement data and information; enters reports and data into a variety of automated law enforcement records systems; ensures that records and information are accurate, clear and comprehensive for law enforcement personnel and the general public; learns applicable policies, procedures and work methods associated with assigned duties; performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Public Safety Dispatcher I is the entry level class in which incumbents learn to perform and perform Police Dispatcher duties under immediate supervision. This classification is alternatively staffed with Public Safety Officer II and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating a level of proficiency that meets the qualifications of the higher class.

The Public Safety Dispatcher II is the working level class in which incumbents are expected to perform the full range of Police Dispatcher duties with minimum supervision and apply sound judgment regarding their scope of authority in dispatching personnel. This classification is distinguished from the Community Service Officer series in that the latter performs duties involving work in taking reports in the field and performing face-to-face public service activities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED
The Public Safety Dispatcher I receives immediate supervision from the Police Office Supervisor or a Watch Commander. Incumbents of this class do not routinely exercise supervision. The Public Safety Dispatcher II receives supervision from the Police Office Supervisor or a Watch Commander. Incumbents of this class do not routinely exercise supervision.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Include but are not limited to the following:

• Receives and enters calls for police, fire and medical service in CAD; dispatches and tracks field units; interprets level of service needed through information obtained from field officers or citizens; coordinates multi-agency responses when necessary; transfers calls to appropriate agencies if warranted.
• Responds to questions and concerns from the general public, department staff and other agencies; takes and records telephone and counter reports; provides information as appropriate and resolves service issues and complaints.
• Enters and maintains accurate data and information into the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) including stolen vehicles, and missing and unidentified persons; enters and retrieves information from a variety of state and local automated systems; validates selected records from the Department of Justice files including vehicles, boats and missing persons; releases impounded vehicles; processes reports and citations; collects and maintains statistical information.
• Learns and develops an understanding of applicable policies, procedures, and work methods associated with assigned duties.
• Photocopies and distributes crime, incident, arrest and accident reports to the general public and various agencies such as the Department of Justice (DOJ), California Highway Patrol, District Attorney, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and insurance companies; prepares reports for court; applies federal, state and local laws when releasing information.
• Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS
This position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily office activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing reports and retrieving and entering data using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading work related documents and using the computer, and acute hearing is required when providing phone, dispatch and face to face service. The need to lift, drag, and push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 25 pounds also is required.

KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES/SKILLS
The following are a representative sample of the KAS’s necessary to perform essential duties of the position. The level and scope of the knowledge and abilities listed below vary between the I and II levels.

Knowledge of: Civil, criminal, and municipal provisions relating to the various activities of the Police Department; law enforcement, fire, and other operating procedures and functions of the Department as they relate to the dispatch function; geography of the City and the surrounding environment; legal and procedural techniques and regulations regarding transmission and reception of public safety radio traffic; basic radio and related equipment maintenance.

Ability to: Perform a variety of complex work with speed and accuracy; remain calm under emergency situations; learn to operate specialized law enforcement automated information and communication systems; work flexible hours including evenings, weekends and split shifts; learn basic Spanish speaking skills that allow for communication regarding addresses, locations, time descriptions, etc.; interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, codes and regulations; read, interpret and record data accurately; organize, prioritize and follow-up on work assignments; work independently and as part of a team; make sound decisions within established guidelines; follow written and oral directions; observe safety principles and work in a safe manner; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Skill to: Operate an office computer and a variety of word processing and software applications; effectively operate specialized law enforcement automated information and communication systems; type accurately from clear copy at a rate of 35 words per minute.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

To be considered, candidates must possess one of the following at the time of application:

• POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Exam with a T-score of 48 or higher
• A valid POST-certified Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course Certificate

The process may include an in-basket exercise, individual interviews, panel interviews and/or other related components.  Only those candidates who have the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to the process. The candidate selected for the position will be required to complete a background check including reference checks, fingerprint check, medical/drug-test evaluation and/or other related components.

Human Resources will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities.  Please advise HR of any special needs a minimum of five days in advance of the selection process exam by calling (916) 434-3229. The City of Lincoln is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The information contained herein is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.