Police Dispatcher
City of Coronado
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
City of Coronado is seeking a Police Dispatcher to manage emergency and non-emergency communications using CAD systems and radio equipment. You will prioritize requests, document details, and coordinate with police, fire, and EMS as needed.
The ideal candidate demonstrates strong customer service, multitasking abilities, and excellent communication to obtain crucial information quickly while maintaining accuracy and composure under pressure.
Qualifications
- Ability to handle emergencies with accuracy under pressure.
- Excellent listening and interviewing skills for 9-1-1 and non-emergency lines.
- Completion of the twelfth grade with specialized training in communications or related field.
Responsibilities
- Operate CAD system and dispatch communications across units.
- Interview callers to elicit crucial information quickly and accurately.
- Monitor multiple frequencies and format requests for police, fire, and EMS.
- Coordinate with watch commander and field units to ensure timely responses.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
The City of Coronado is Accepting Applications for Police Dispatcher Department.
The Coronado Police Department provides outstanding law enforcement services to the community of Coronado. Professionalism, Integrity, Accountability, and Respect are the values at the core of our agency. We utilize our philosophy of community-oriented policing to foster relationships and find solutions for problems in our community.
Positions in this class use radio equipment, varied computer programs, and printers in situations requiring incumbents to establish priorities and handle several emergencies simultaneously, and to work with a high level of accuracy. Incumbents work under the general supervision of the Dispatch Supervisor and receive line supervision from the assigned watch commander. Incumbents receive thorough instructions when tasks are initially assigned and after training are expected to perform duties without constant supervision. Incumbents are expected to use established guidelines, precedent, and judgment in resolving dispatch problems and service requests, requesting direction from a supervisor in situations requiring the establishment of or departure from standard operations. Incumbents must use judgment in advising the watch commander of pertinent field problems and service requests.
The ideal candidate will be a dynamic customer service-minded individual with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Good judgement, high attention to detail, and the ability to elicit crucial information from distressed callers in a timely manner is essential in the police dispatcher role. Success in this role requires excellent multi-tasking abilities in order to effectively interview callers on emergency 9-1-1 and non-emergency lines while operating the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to monitor numerous frequencies and format requests for police, fire, and emergency medical services to the appropriate agencies and departments. Previous experience in emergency services dispatching is highly desirable.
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities if qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
- Any combination of training, education, and experience which demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of the position.
- A typical way to qualify would be completion of the twelfth grade, supplemented by specialized training in communications, public safety dispatch, or a related field.
- Public safety telecommunications or dispatch experience is desirable.
- A typing certificate with a net corrected speed of 40 words per minute dated within one year of the time of application. (Certificates with just the WPM and an accuracy percentage do not meet this requirement - It must say Net WPM or Corrected WPM.) A valid typing certificate must be attached to the application.
- CLETS Certificate from the Department of Justice (DOJ) is required prior to database access.
- P.O.S.T. Dispatch Certificate required within one year of appointment.
- Application Review:
Applications are reviewed on an as-needed basis for relevant education, training, and experience. A valid typing certificate must be attached to your application for consideration. - Performance Test (Pass/Fail):
Applicants who best meet the qualifications above will be invited to take the online CritiCall test. CritiCall is a computer-based assessment that simulates a generic dispatch environment and measures skills critical to public safety dispatching, including multitasking, prioritization, map reading, memory recall, comprehension, and data entry. For more information, visit CritiCall.
The Police Dispatcher CritiCall Test is tentatively scheduled for the September 16, 2026, through September 23, 2026. Testing date are subject to change. - Oral Panel Interview (Pass/Fail):
Applicants who pass the Performance Test will be invited to an oral board interview. - Pre-Background Check Process:
Top candidates from the oral board interview will be invited to complete the pre-background process, which includes a Personal History Statement and other required forms, a polygraph examination, and a thorough law enforcement background investigation conducted by a licensed background investigator. - Department Interview:
Final candidates will interview with the Chief of Police and the Dispatch Supervisor. Successful candidates will receive a conditional offer of employment, contingent on passing a psychological evaluation and a medical exam, including a drug screen.
The City of Coronado participates in E-Verify, all new employees are required to submit verification of legal right to work in the United States. The City of Coronado is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). Individuals with disabilities who will require reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any portion of the examination process may voluntarily request the accommodation from the City five working days prior to the requested accommodation. Documentation of the need for the accommodation may be required upon receipt of the request.
The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in the City’s Child Abuse and Neglect Training and Reporting policy as a condition of employment. A copy of the policy is provided upon request and at the time of pre-employment.
The Community of Coronado, rich in history, natural beauty, and possessing a charming ocean village atmosphere, is most deserving of its royal “nickname” – the Crown City. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Glorietta Bay, and San Diego Bay, this picturesque seaside resort destination is linked to the Southern California coastline and the City of San Diego by the graceful and stately Coronado Bridge, and to the south by a narrow strip of land known as the Silver Strand. This 13.5-square-mile city offers one of the world’s most pristine beaches, 18 public parks, an 18-hole municipal golf course, tennis center, marina, public pools, recreation facilities, and dedicated bicycle paths. Residents value Coronado’s high quality of life, award-winning schools, tree-lined streets, welcoming neighborhoods, and diverse architectural styles. Downtown features distinctive shops and restaurants supported by active Chamber of Commerce and Main Street organizations.
This vibrant, thriving community welcomes more than 2 million visitors annually to soak up the sun and sand while enjoying the lush surroundings and village appeal of Coronado. With 15 hotels, including three world class resorts, with over 1,900 hotel rooms, and many highly acclaimed restaurants, this island community has a resident and Navy population of approximately 23,000. Coronado is home to Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado (NASNI); Naval Amphibious Base Coronado (NAB); and Silver Strand Training Complex Coronado, supported by nearly 20,000 military and civilian personnel.
- A rich benefits package contributes to the total compensation value. Benefits include a monthly cafeteria allotment of $2,168 voluntary retirement savings/deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, group term life, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an employee assistance program, and more.
- As part of ensuring our employees maintain a work/life balance, employees earn 144 hours of Annual Leave per year for the first 5 years. After 5 years, the accrual rate increases.
- The City provides Term Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance in an amount equal to a one-time annual salary or $50,000, whichever is greater, at no cost to the employee.
- The City provides short- and long-term disability insurance equal to 66 2/3% of income. Employees that earn over the maximum benefit of $5,000/month available under the long-term disability plan, have the option to purchase enhanced long-term disability insurance.
- Longevity Pay; bonus at 10 years and every 5 years after.
- Access to community pool and gym.
- Valuable experience, training opportunities, and engaged leadership in a supportive community environment.
Coronado Police Officer’s Association (CPOA) employees accrue annual leave (combined vacation and sick leave) at the following rates:
- 0-5 Years of Service: 144 hours per a year
- 5-10 Years of Service: 192 hours per a year
- 10-19 Years of Service: 216 hours per a year
- 20+ Years of Service: 232 hours per a year
Enrollment in the California Public Employee’s Retirement System (CalPERS) as follows:
- 2@62 PEPRA Members: Participants enrolled in the CalPERS Retirement Plan after January 1, 2013, are considered new members. The retirement benefit is based on age at retirement, years of service, and a consecutive 36-month compensation period. Employees currently pay 6.75% (pre-tax) toward the retirement contribution, which for PEPRA members, is determined by CalPERS each fiscal year based upon the actuarial report.
- 3@60 Classic Members: Participants enrolled in the CalPERS Retirement Plan to January 1, 2013, with no break in service or a break in service of less than 6 months are considered Classic Members. The retirement benefit is based on age of retirement, years of service, and the single highest year of compensation. Employees pay 9.5% (pre-tax) toward retirement benefit.
- Additional Retirement Benefit: Deferred Compensation: Employees are eligible to join the ICMA-RC 457 deferred compensation plan. This plan allows employees to set aside pre-tax wages for retirement.
Cafeteria Benefit Plan: The City provides a Cafeteria Benefit Plan that can be used to help cover the cost of medical, dental, vision, supplemental life insurance, and ancillary benefits. The City participates in the CalPERS Group Health Benefits, which offers several options including HMO and PPO plans. Cafeteria allotment is dependent on medical plan enrollment.
- Employee + Family: $2,298
- Employee + 1: $2,068
- Employee Only or Waive: $1,379
Essential personnel, primarily those employees working in Dispatch or Patrol, but defined more specifically as those employees scheduled without regard to Holiday and work on one of the recognized holidays listed above, shall be paid holiday premium of 1/2 their regular rate of pay for all hours worked on the holiday.
Additionally, employees are credited with three floating holidays, not to exceed nine (9) hours each. The floating holidays will be credited on July 1 each fiscal year.
The City provides group term life insurance and AD&D in an amount equal to $25,000. In addition to the basic group life insurance provided by the City, employees may purchase up to $500,000 of supplemental life insurance. Coverage over $150,000 is subject to approval by the insurance provider. Employees may also elect supplemental life insurance coverage for their spouses/registered domestic partner and child(ren).
The City provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP provides confidential evaluation and up to 6 free counseling visits for employees, family members, and anyone residing in the home of an employee.
The City of Coronado Police Dispatcher position has been approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to qualify for G.I Bill benefits as an On the Job Training (OJT) program. For more information, please visit: https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/onthjob_apprenticeship.asp
Each fiscal year $1,000 is available for reimbursement for cost such as tuition, fees, books, and other required materials for approved courses leading to a college degree. Reimbursement is made upon written verification of satisfactory completion of coursework. All expenses in excess of $2,000 will roll over to subsequent years and will be reimbursed up to $2,000 per year so long as the employee remains employed with the City.
P.O.S.T certification incentive pay is available to Police Dispatchers, represented by the CPOA. The rates are as follows:
- Intermediate P.O.S.T – 5% of base pay per pay period
- Advanced P.O.S.T – 5% of base pay per pay period
The City participates in Social Security and Medicare.
Effective the first full pay period after July 1, 2025, or the first full pay period following City Council approval of this MOU, whichever date is later, the City agrees to provide CPOA members assigned to work Swing / Overlap shift a shift differential of 2.25% of base pay for all hours worked during that shift.
Effective July 1, 2025, or the first full pay period following City Council approval of this MOU, whichever date is later, the City agrees to provide CPOA members assigned to work Graveyard shift a shift differential of 3.25% of base pay for all hours worked during that shift.
0.65 per hour worked for overtime.
Effective July 1, 2021, annual leave accruals will be based on years of full-time sworn law enforcement and/or police dispatch experience including service time spent with other agencies. New employees must submit proof of prior service time within 30 days of appointment for a time to be recognized.
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