Police Dispatcher

Tabcorp Holdings Limited; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Police Dispatcher to join their team. This entry-level position involves supporting the University Police Department by managing emergency and routine communications, ensuring public safety, and providing clerical support. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills and the ability to make quick decisions in high-pressure situations. This role offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, where you will play a crucial part in maintaining campus safety. If you are ready to make a difference and thrive in a structured setting, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid overtime

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills to interact with the public and law enforcement.
• Ability to operate emergency communication equipment effectively.

Responsibilities

• Dispatch officers to emergency calls and maintain clear communication.
• Record and assess information to prioritize responses effectively.

Skills

Communication Skills

Judgment and Discretion

Data Entry Skills

Ability to Multitask

Customer Service Skills

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)

Radio Communication Systems

Video Display Terminals

Job description

• Unit 7 - CSUEU - Clerical and Administrative Support Services

Job Search Category/Discipline: Safety

Time Basis: Full Time

Workplace Type: On-site (work in-person at business location)

NOTE: The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus.

Job no: 547740
Work type: Staff
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 7 - CSUEU - Clerical and Administrative Support Services, Probationary, Full Time, Safety, On-site

Job Summary

The Police Dispatcher is an entry level, uniformed non-sworn, support position for the University Police Department. Under general supervision of the Dispatch and Communications Manager or the watch commander, the Police Dispatcher will perform a variety of specialized support duties within the Police Communication Center. Support duties may include communication’s dispatching and public counter duties; providing clerical, records and technical support services including operating a centralized computer-aided dispatch (CAD), 9-1-1 and other non-emergency phones, and monitoring campus alarms.

The Police Dispatcher is responsible for maintaining effective and accurate communications between campus law enforcement, the public and other allied agencies. The Police Dispatcher I records and dispatches routine and emergency information promptly, clearly and accurately. Regular use of judgment and discretion is necessary to set priorities, assess the importance of information and react quickly and effectively. The Police Dispatcher will perform a variety of specialized support duties within the Police Communications Center. The Police Dispatcher is required to work rotating shifts which includes nights, weekends and holidays. Overtime may be required.

• Receives emergency and routine requests for services from the campus community and from various electronic communications equipment, i.e., enhanced 911 and other telephone lines, radio transmissions, video display terminals, alarm enunciators, and in-person contacts from citizens in the University Police Department (UPD) lobby.
• Elicits and records pertinent and accurate information, and uses judgment and discretion to rapidly assess the nature and priority of information and the necessary response.
• Operates UPD and other emergency communications equipment to dispatch officers to calls for service, critical incidents and emergencies.
• Identifies locations where assistance is needed, makes rapid determinations as to availability and proximity of the nearest emergency personnel and equipment, and coordinates interagency communications with surrounding jurisdictions.
• Responsible for accurate data entry into the computer aided dispatch system.
• Operates police radio and data systems for the purposes of dispatching and communicating with police and other public safety resources.
• Enters and retrieves data for police reports, activity logs and criminal information.
• Utilizes automated dispatch and law enforcement systems and databases to enter, research, and retrieve information.
• Provides support to other public safety and community service functions including parking and building access services.
• Utilizes dispatch and law enforcement systems and databases (both computerized and manual) to maintain department files and reports.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to effectively communicate (read, write, spell and speak in clear, concise English) via telephone, radio and in person.
• Ability to learn correct telephone answering techniques; 9-1-1, emergency, non-emergency, business and allied agencies.
• Skilled in reading and interpreting maps.
• Ability to accurately identify where assistance is requested.
• Skilled in using various video display terminals.
• Knowledge or ability to learn police emergency procedures, radio codes and phonetic alphabet.
• Ability to operate and accurately enter data into the computer aided dispatch system (CAD) while simultaneously receiving information by phone or radio.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and organize workload.
• Ability to dispatch officers to routine and critical incidents.
• Ability to accurately enter data, research and retrieve information from automated dispatch and law enforcement databases.
• Ability to independently analyze situations quickly and accurately, while taking effective action to assure public safety provider and citizen safety.
• Ability to communicate clearly and distinctly using radio and telephone equipment.
• Ability to maintain composure and work accurately in emergency situations.
• Ability to achieve the P.O.S.T Dispatcher certificate prior to completion of the probationary period.
• Ability to work in a confined area wearing a headset which restricts movement about the work area.
• Ability to work as assigned, on schedules that may include weekends, holidays and non-traditional work hours; and a willingness to work overtime as required.
• Ability to work in a highly structured environment where all communications are recorded or documented and reviewed as public record.
• Ability to type at a net rate of 30 wpm on a computer keyboard.
• Ability to maintain appropriate documentation of previous events, details and conversations.
• Ability to monitor security and fire alarm systems.
• Ability to perform with a high standard of customer service, professional conduct, and civic responsibility.
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• One year of experience using a switchboard and a two-way radio communication system in a law enforcement or comparable agency within the last ten years, or general telephone operator, transportation dispatcher, or military experience.
• Completion of, or the ability to attend and successfully complete, the Police Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Dispatcher Course is required.
• Passing score on CritiCall Practical Dispatch Test (to be completed before moving to background phase).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Previous experience with law enforcement or security dispatching.
• Bilingual background with fluency in Spanish or Vietnamese.
• Possession of a current P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatch certificate.
• One year minimum customer service experience in a high pace/busy setting involving multitasking skills.

Compensation

Classification: Police Dispatcher I
Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,000/month - $5,290/month
CSU Salary Range: $3,680/month - $6,609/month

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: April 21, 2025 through May 6, 2025. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

The CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus (including all booster doses of an approved vaccine for which an individual is eligible per current CDC recommendations) or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so. As a condition of employment, any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement as well as with other safety measures established on the campus.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws.

Advertised: April 21, 2025 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time