Police Dispatcher - Lateral

City of Walnut Creek; Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Walnut Creek is seeking a Police Dispatcher to join the Communications Center. Dispatchers receive emergency calls and dispatch police officers via radio, coordinating with multiple agencies to ensure rapid response and public safety.

Qualifications include a high school diploma, CAD experience, and successful completion of the POST Dispatcher Battery. The role offers a 24x7 schedule with shift differentials where applicable.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; coursework in communications or public safety preferred.
• CAD system experience required.
• POST Dispatcher Battery test results must be uploaded with the application.

Responsibilities

• Receive emergency calls and dispatch police officers via radio.
• Interact professionally with police, emergency services, outside agencies, and the public.
• Operate CAD, radio, phones, and multiple databases and equipment.
• Gather information under pressure and communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.

Skills

CAD system experience

Education

High school diploma

Coursework in communications

Public safety coursework

Job description

Salary

The annual salary range for a Police Dispatcher is$99,871- $120,202. Placement in the salary range will depend on a candidate’s qualifications. Lateral candidates are eligible to accrue General Leave (vacation and sick leave) based on prior experience and receive a bank of General Leave hours at time of hire, subject to the discretion of the Chief of Police.

Closing Date

This recruitment is ongoing and may close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or if vacancies have been filled.

What's great about this opportunity:

• Join a progressive and state-of-the-art department that values work-life balance, wellness, and career development;
• Enjoy meal facilities, a dispatch treadmill, an on-site gym, a strong working relationship with our officers, and no uniform requirement.

About the Department and Division

The Police Department team is committed to integrity, professionalism, and respect while maintaining focus on continually learning and adapting. As highly dedicated and trained employees, we are committed to protecting and serving the community through professional conduct and proactive enforcement of the law. We strive for superior customer service, upholding the trust of this community and organization one interaction at a time.

About the City

Spanning 19.5 square miles, Walnut Creek is a rare blend of sprawling landscapes and suburban oasis with an urban flair. There are 2,800 acres of open space, a vibrant downtown and upscale shopping and dining district, a business park, premier healthcare facilities and a performing arts center. Walnut Creek offers something for everyone!

The City of Walnut Creek staff are committed to the values of respect, integrity, excellence, teamwork, and creativity. CARE, the City’s award‑winning employee engagement initiative, focuses on three key areas: providing career development opportunities; promoting connections among employees; and supporting employee health and wellness.

The Position

Under general supervision, Dispatchers at the City of Walnut Creek work in the Communications Center receiving emergency calls and inquiries from the public, and dispatching police officers via the radio to calls for service. Walnut Creek Dispatchers dispatch for police only and have the opportunity for collateral assignments such as Tactical Dispatch, Social Media Team, Communications Training Officer, Peer Support Team Member, and Cadet Advisor.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Deal effectively, professionally, and courteously with all contacts—including police, emergency and service organizations, outside agencies, other City staff, and the public—and exercise tact and discretion at all times.
• Handle multiple work requests under pressure with frequent interruption, use sound judgment, and calm distressed community members during emergency situations in order to gather sufficient information to act appropriately and to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Operate multiple automated systems including CAD, radio system, phones, and multiple online jurisdictional databases and use various telecommunications equipment such as telephone, radio, and computer terminal.

Work Schedule

This work group is staffed 24x7, 365 days a year. Dispatchers will work holidays, weekends, and overtime. Dispatchers working the swing shift receive an additional 2.5% pay differential, and those working the graveyard (overnight) shift receive a 5% pay differential. While shift assignments are generally made in order of seniority, all Police Dispatchers are assigned shifts as needed to meet staffing requirements.

Dispatchers work a rotating two‑week schedule illustrated by the following elements:

1. Week 1: 3 days, 12 hours each;
2. Week 2: 3 days, 12 hours each and 1 day, 8 hours;
3. With every other Sunday off.

Lateral Candidate Experience Requirements:

1. Graduation from high school, supplemented by coursework in communications, office administration, public safety, or a related field; AND
2. One (1) year of full‑time, or its equivalent, experience within the last seven (7) years performing law enforcement dispatch duties at a California law enforcement agency or at least two (2) years of experience within the past two (2) years at an out of state law enforcement agency; AND
3. Experience operating a computer‑aided dispatch (CAD) system; AND
4. A passing score on the POST Entry‑Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery. The POST Entry‑Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery results must be uploaded and attached to the application.

Important: The fourth requirement listed may be waived if the candidate’s application shows they passed probation as a Dispatcher at a law enforcement agency. Those candidates eligible to waive the POST Entry‑Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery must attach the Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course documentation.

Special Requirements:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, prior to employment, a Class C Driver's License and a good driving record.
• Computer Proficiency: Must have the ability to type at the corrected minimum rate of 40 words per minute.

Applicants considered for appointment to this position will be subject to a thorough Police Department background investigation including a California Department of Justice and FBI fingerprinting, a credit check, a pre‑placement medical exam including a drug screen, and a psychological evaluation. The City reserves the right to request a candidate to submit to a polygraph exam.

If you have a disability as defined by state and federal law that could impact your participation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at (925) 943‑5815 or jobs@walnut‑creek.org to request a reasonable accommodation. Please provide the Human Resources Department with advance notice and every attempt will be made to consider your request.

As required by law, all public employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers. As such, all City of Walnut Creek employees may be called upon to assist in the event of fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural or man‑made disasters.