Police Communications Dispatcher (Continuous)

City-of-Oakland,-Ca; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CalPERS retirement

Full health coverage

Dental and vision coverage

Sick leave and paid time off

Deferred compensation 457(b)

Wellness program

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

City of Oakland's Police Department seeks a Police Communications Dispatcher to handle emergency calls, relay critical information, and coordinate with units across shifts. The role requires composure, rapid decision-making, and high accuracy under pressure.

Applicants must pass a rigorous background process, medical and psychological assessments, and a typing test. Bilingual skills may be required for select postings, with continual assessment throughout the process.

Qualifications

• Education: Equivalent to graduation from high school.
• Two years of recent full-time equivalent responsible work experience.
• Typing speed of at least 35 words per minute.
• Bilingual skills may be required for some positions.
• Must pass background, medical, and psychological tests.

Responsibilities

• Receive and screen calls and record data.
• Analyze calls for priority levels and route information to units.
• Use dispatch systems to relay information in emergencies.
• Transmit and record data accurately and promptly.
• Run queries in information systems as needed.
• Assist public inquiries and provide clear information.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Clear communication

Reading comprehension

Multi-tasking

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Dispatch software

CAD system

Data entry

Job description

Police Communications Dispatcher

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants to one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community and individualism of employees.

About the Oakland Police Department

Mission Statement

Oakland Police Department’s mission is to provide police service focused on public safety and the sanctity of life, to hold ourselves accountable to a high standard of conduct, efficiency, and efficacy, and to promote mutual respect between the Department and the Communities of Oakland.

Vision

We will work in partnership with our Community, recognize the successes of our staff, build a team of professionals who are trained and developed to provide top quality Service, hold ourselves and each other accountable, and continually seek to be the exemplar for 21st Century Constitutional Policing, Community engagement, and positive employee morale within the police profession.

Core Values

• Fairness: We value fairness in our dealings with our Community and with each other. Fairness is the opportunity to deliver services to our Community and make decisions that are impartial, equitable, and just.
• Integrity: Though it includes a consistency between our statements and our actions, integrity is more than service to the truth. Integrity encompasses a transparency and accountability that are born from a desire to do the right thing, even when times are difficult.
• Respect: Mutual respect begins at home; we value respect throughout our organization, both up and down the chain of command. How we treat each other will be reflected in the way every staff member will be expected to treat every member of our Community.
• Service: Our decisions are constantly guided by our mission of providing services focused on public safety and quality of life, while also ensuring that our services are provided in an efficient and effective manner
• Teamwork: Purpose of mission and adherence to values are best drawn out from employees who are supported, valued, and developed. Whether through peer, supervisory, or command support and mutual respect, OPD expects that our staff all work together to achieve our common goal.

The City of Oakland is accepting applications for an exciting opportunity in the Oakland Police Department's Communications Division. Come and join a wonderful team of professionals dedicated to serving the citizens of Oakland. Start an exciting career and become a 9-1-1 Dispatcher!

Police Communications Dispatchers receive approximately one year of on-the-job training and must attend a POST-certified basic dispatcher course. During training, working hours and days off vary. Dispatchers may work any of the three shifts in a 24-hour period; may be required to work a schedule with rotating days off; often work weekends, holidays, and overtime as required by emergencies or Departmental needs. This is a public contact position.

We are looking for someone who:

• possesses the ability to act promptly, logically, and decisively
• can communicate clearly
• is able to read, comprehend and retain information
• will maintain a calm and professional demeanor even under stressful situations
• has the ability to adapt to changing situations
• is able to multi-task
• is highly self-motivated
• will display a high level of integrity

The sensitivity of the position calls for emotionally stable applicants. Applicants must have a satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen. Final candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation, a polygraph examination, and a medical examination. Excessive alcohol usage, drug abuse, a poor work record or any falsification of employment information are grounds for disqualification from employment consideration.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Receiving and screening telephone calls and recording data
• Analyzing calls for priority level
• Using computer-aided keyboard and data entry equipment or manually recording and relaying information (often of an emergency nature) to appropriate units
• Receiving, transmitting, and recording data
• Running queries in automated warrant information systems
• Answering questions from the public
• Dispatching from a mobile command center, as requested

A few reasons why you might love a career as a Police Communications Dispatcher:

• The work you do directly impacts the public and City of Oakland residents
• You will have the ability to demonstrate your honesty, moral, and ethical decision-making skills
• You will use your fact-finding abilities to identify needs, make decisions, and address issues
• There are lots of opportunities for growth within the City of Oakland

A few challenges you may face as a Police Communications Dispatcher:

• You must remain calm to effectively handle high-stress situations
• This position requires that you are careful about details and thorough in completing tasks
• You will need to maintain composure when faced with callers in aggressive, angry, or emotional situations

Competencies Required:

• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Learning Agility: Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to one’s work
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Professional Impact: Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing

Note: This is a continuous recruitment process; eligible candidates may remain on the eligible list for 2 years.

This recruitment is open to all qualified candidates.

• If you are a current, SEIU-represented, permanent employee of the City and Port of Oakland you may apply at: Police Communications Dispatcher - RESTRICTED (Continuous)
• If you possess 3 years of experience as a Police Dispatcher, you may be eligible to apply as a Lateral applicant; you may apply at: Police Communications Dispatcher - LATERAL (Continuous)

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable.

Education: Equivalent to graduation from high school.

Experience: Two years of recent full-time equivalent of responsible work experience. College education may substitute for experience on a year for year basis.

Typing: minimum typing speed of 35 words per minute (wpm).

Other Requirements:

• Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• Must pass the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course within one year of appointment as a condition of continued employment.

Bilingual Requirements: a select number of positions filled through this recruitment will require selective bilingual skills in one or more of the following languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish. Please note, identified bilingual skills will be tested prior to a final offer of employment. Candidates must pass the bilingual skills test to achieve placement on and/or remain on the bilingual skills eligible list. NOTE: Bilingual skills are not required for most positions.

Background Investigation, Psychological and Medical Assessment:

• A thorough review of the completed Personal History Statement (PHS)
• A polygraph
• A criminal history check consisting of a fingerprint check with the California Department of Justice and FBI
• A drug history check (certain drug usage may result in an automatic disqualification)
• A credit history check
• Interviews with previous and past employers and co-workers
• Present and past neighborhood checks
• Education verification
• Driving record check
• Checks with Law Enforcement agencies in the area you live
• Military history (if applicable)

Unfavorable information revealed during the background investigation is grounds for rejection or discharge. After a conditional job offer is made, candidates will be assessed for compliance with Police Department medical and psychological standards. Any remaining background issues will be resolved during the post-offer phase. Character-related information discovered during the post-offer stage may be grounds for revocation of the conditional job offer and removal from the hiring consideration. In addition, the City Physician will evaluate each candidate to determine their ability to meet the physical demands of the job. The medical exam includes a drug-screening test.

This is a Continuous Recruitment, this recruitment may close without notice once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Candidates are only eligible to apply once every three (3) months. Candidates that earn their place on the resulting eligible list may remain active on the eligible list for up to two (2) years.

The Recruitment Process:

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the "minimum qualifications" listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the online Police Communications Dispatcher Typing Assessment (weighted pass/fail). The typing assessment will consist of three, five-minute timed typing tests. The scores attained on the three typing assessments will be averaged to determine candidate's average net WPM. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to type at least 35 average net words per minute. Note, a typing certification will NOT be accepted in lieu of the required typing assessment; all candidates are required to take and pass the typing assessment. Candidates are only permitted to participate in the typing assessment once every three (3) months.

Candidates that pass the required typing assessment will be invited to participate in the CritiCall 3D Performance Assessment (weighted 100%). Please note that this is a new assessment. Previous CritiCall scores will not be accepted. CritiCall 3D is designed to measure applicant's knowledge, skills, and abilities to complete exercises that replicate some aspect of the job. The assessment may be timed and include the following performance tests or simulations: data entry, call summarization, cross referencing, memory recall, prioritization, map reading, spelling, sentence clarity, reading comprehension. Test information is available by visiting the vendor's website at: CritiCall and Dispatcher Applicant: F.A.Q. The CritiCall 3D assessment will also include a confirmatory typing assessment. Candidates must participate in the City of Oakland's CritiCall 3D assessment. Candidates must achieve passing scores in each section in order to advance in the recruitment process. Please note the required minimum passing score per module may not be the same as required by The Academy – each agency sets their own requirements. Candidates are only permitted to participate in the City of Oakland's CritiCall 3D Performance assessment once every 3 months.

TENTATIVE EXAM DATES:

For applications received between 08/07/2026 - 9/01/2026
Typing Assessment (virtual): 9/8/2026 - 9/15/2026
CritiCall Assessment (in person): 9/29/2026 - 10/01/2026

For applications received between 9/02/2026 - 9/30/2026
Typing Assessment (virtual): 10/12/2026 - 10/18/2026
CritiCall Assessment (in person): 11/02/2026 - 11/04/2026

For applications received between 10/01/2026 - 10/29/2026
Typing Assessment (virtual): 11/09/2026 - 11/16/2026
CritiCall Assessment (in person): 12/7/2026 - 12/9/2026

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every part of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Oakland Police Department’s Communications Division hosts monthly information sessions. These sessions are open to anyone who is interested in learning more about the Police Communications Dispatcher role and the recruitment process. Please refer to the schedule below and use the links to join the session directly (no prior registration or meeting code is required). August 20, 2026 (6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Pacific Time) - PCD Info Session
October 19, 2026 (6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Pacific Time) - PCD Info Session
December 17, 2026 (6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Pacific Time) - PCD Info Session

What’s in it for you?

• Retirement – CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
• Health – The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
• Dental – Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Vision – VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Sick leave – Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation – 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.

*Benefits described here do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found here: Working for Oakland | City of Oakland, CA

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.