POLICE TELECOMMUNICATOR I (911 DISPATCHER)

City of Stockton; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 78,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Stockton is seeking a Police Telecommunicator I to handle 911 and non-emergency calls, dispatch police units, and monitor radio communications in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate has a high school diploma or GED, a 40 WPM typing certificate, and the ability to meet POST minimum standards. Training is provided at a PST-certified academy; work includes rotating 10-hour shifts, weekends, holidays, and potential rotation based on seniority.

Qualifications

• Possession of a high school diploma or GED and one year of public contact employment.
• Must pass background check and DOJ fingerprint clearance.
• Must possess a valid typing certificate for at least 40 net WPM.
• Must meet POST minimum selection and training standards for Public Safety Dispatchers.
• Willing to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Receives 911 and non-emergency calls; dispatches police units to locations.
• Operates telecommunications equipment and maintains radio contact.
• Follows policies and undergoes PST-certified academy training.
• Maintains logs and records of calls and unit statuses.
• Responds to inquiries and handles after-hours lines.

Skills

Typing (40 WPM certificate)

Public safety dispatch knowledge

Education

High school diploma or GED

Public contact employment experience (1 year)

Job description

BIWEEKLY SALARY RANGE: $2 ,984.74 - $3 ,133.98 - $3 ,290.68 - $3 ,455.21 - $3 ,627.97 - $3 ,809.37 - $3 ,904.60 - $4 ,002.22 - $4 ,102.28

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

TENTATIVE EXAM DATE: October 14, 2026

TYPING CERTIFICATE REQUIRED: On-line Typing Certificate Acceptable

Submission Deadline: September 28, 2026 @ 5:00PM

Suggested online testing agencies: Typing.com or Official-Typing-Test.com

Training and Work Schedule

Probationary Telecommunicators are sent to a three-week Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified dispatch academy. The academy is offered at various out-of-town locations (tuition and vehicle for daily commute travel are provided by the City). During initial training, shift assignments for Telecommunicators in the Police Department will vary. After successful completion of the formal training program, shift assignments are based primarily on seniority. Telecommunicators will work 10-hour shifts on a rotating basis (days, swing, graveyard or staggered). Telecommunicators routinely work weekends and holidays.

Under general supervision, receives 911 system emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatches assignments to established police procedures; operates various telecommunications center equipment; performs related work as assigned.

This is a deep class in which incumbents may be assigned to any level, provided they possess the required education, certification, experience, and successfully demonstrate proficiency that meets the qualifications for the class to which they are to be assigned. Incumbents may be advanced to the higher levels depending upon the needs of the Police Department. Incumbents serve a one-year probationary period as Police Telecommunicator Call Taker and Police Telecommunicator I levels.

Police Telecommunicator I

Is the entry level class in this series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn Police Department and City policies and procedures related to the dispatch of emergency and non-emergency calls. As experience is gained, duties become more diversified and are performed under more general supervision.

• Receives and evaluates 911, police emergency and business calls; transfers calls to appropriate parties or creates a call for dispatch.
• Dispatches police units to emergency or non-emergency locations.
• Handles inquiries and complaints regarding services from the public.
• Operates computer consoles for call input; dispatching and continuous update of suspect information and officer location.
• Enters information in written or computer-based format; logs and fills out call forms; maintains records of radio calls.
• Operates multi-channel radio systems; monitors other channels while maintaining radio traffic on main channels.
• Maintains radio contact with mobile and portable units; recognizes units from other agencies and assists them with City units or supplies requested information.
• Responds to officer-initiated radio traffic and requests and disseminates suspect information from roll call boards, prior calls, and bulletins.
• Monitors closed-circuit security cameras and holding cells.
• Maintains and accesses business and premise history and index files for emergency and other necessary contact.
• Handles in-house and radio paging, crime stopper, animal control, and other after-hours phone lines.
• Provides court testimony related to calls as required.

Education and Experience

Possession of a high school diploma or GED and one (1) year of public contact employment.

Other Requirements

• Must successfully complete a background investigation and a California Department of Justice fingerprint clearance.
• Must possess a valid (two years old or less) typing certificate for at least 40 net words per minute from a recognized organization.
• Must meet all California POST minimum selection and training standards for Public Safety Dispatchers.
• Must be willing to work evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts on a rotation basis.
• Must be willing to be called back or held over to maintain minimum staffing levels.

Physical/Mental Abilities

• Mobility: constant use of keyboard; constant sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting.
• Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds.
• Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.
• Dexterity: constant repetitive motion; frequent use of computer keyboard; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.
• Hearing/Talking: constant hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.
• Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.
• Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirement of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.

The examination

Those applicants who qualify in terms of relevant education and experience will be invited to participate in the examination process. The examination may include the Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery written examination weighted 100%. See supplemental questions for study guide. The City reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods if deemed necessary. Candidates must receive a minimum passing score of 70%, as determined by the relative performance of all candidates in all portions of the examination. In the event of identical ratings, candidates' names will be arranged in order of application date/time, and, if the same, then arranged alphabetically.

The information in this announcement concerning the terms and conditions of employment does not constitute either an express or implied contract, and these provisions are subject to change.

NOTE

• Notices and correspondence will be sent via email only. No paper notices will be mailed to applicants. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure a correct email address is provided and that correspondence is being received. NeoGov.com: You will receive correspondence via the e‑mail address you placed on your application. Some e‑mail accounts have been known to place these e‑mails in the spam/junk file. Please check your e‑mail folders or accept e‑mails ending with neogov.com.

In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et., seq., all City of Stockton employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.