Police Dispatcher

City-of-Coronado,-Ca; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly cafeteria allowance

Annual leave 144 hours

Life insurance

Short/long-term disability

Longevity pay

Gym access

Job summary

The City of Coronado seeks a Police Dispatcher to operate radio and CAD systems, interview urgent and non-urgent callers, and coordinate with emergency services for rapid response.

The successful candidate will bring strong communication, multitasking, and judgment under pressure, with prior dispatch experience preferred. Must meet typing and certification requirements and complete background checks.

Qualifications

• Requires ability to interview callers on emergency 9-1-1 and non-emergency lines and operate CAD systems with high accuracy.
• Typing certificate with net corrected speed 40 WPM or higher required.
• Public safety telecommunications or dispatch training/experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Operate radio and CAD systems to dispatch police, fire, and EMS as needed.
• Interview callers to elicit crucial information quickly and accurately.
• Coordinate with watch commander and responding units while maintaining calm under pressure.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal communication

Multitasking

Situational judgment

Education

12th grade + safety dispatch training

Public safety dispatch experience desirable

Typing certificate 40 WPM net

CLETS DOJ certification

POST Dispatcher certificate

Tools

CAD system

Radio equipment

Job description

The City of Coronado is Accepting Applications for Police Dispatcher

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.

Education, Training, and Experience

• 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.

Certifications

• 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.

Examination & Selection Process

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Oral Panel Interview (Pass/Fail) Applicants who pass the Performance Test will be invited to an oral board interview.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Additional Information: 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 City:

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.

What Coronado has to offer:

• 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.