Public Safety Dispatcher I

City of Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Berkeley is looking for a Public Safety Dispatcher I for its Police Department. This entry-level position involves handling emergency calls, operating dispatch equipment, and supporting public safety activities, requiring a high school diploma and a typing certification.

Qualifications

• Typing certificate verifying minimum of 35 net words per minute required.
• Must be able to pass medical and psychiatric evaluations.
• Willingness to work evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts.

Responsibilities

• Receive 911 emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Operate dispatch center equipment and maintain records.
• Provide technical communications support for various public safety functions.

Skills

Typing

Education

High school graduation

Job description

The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Public Safety Dispatcher I in the Police Department! In this role, you will have the opportunity to receive 911 system emergency and non-emergency calls, operate various dispatch center equipment including computer terminals; maintains records.

The Public Safety Dispatcher I is the entry-level class in the professional public safety dispatching series. Under close supervision, incumbents are trained in providing technical communications support and computer information processing for police, fire, animal control, parking enforcement, and public works functions in a limited capacity, in addition to call screening and record-keeping and information retrieval in support of public safety activities.
A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:

Equivalent to graduation from high school.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a typing certificate verifying the ability to accurately type a minimum of 35 net words per minute (wpm). Certification may be from an online typing test or a recognized business school, an employment or temporary agency, and must be dated within the past twelve (12) months from the application final filing date.
• Candidates may be required to take an on-site typing test as part of the selection process.
• Must be able to pass a medical and psychiatric evaluation.
• Must be willing to work evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
• Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, the incumbent is required to maintain a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record.

Applicants must submit:

• Completed application (Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.)
• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire
• Typing Certificate: Minimum of 35 net words per minute. The certificate must be from one of the following:
  • Online typing test
  • Recognized business school
  • Employment/temporary agency

The typing certificate must be dated no more than twelve (12) months prior to the date of application. The typing certificate must contain the date it was taken, applicant name and net words per minute.

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request [e-mail]. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the administrative review date)
• Written Exam: POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Test

Upcoming City of Berkeley exam dates:

• Saturday, August 16, 2025(Applications due July 21, 2025)
• Saturday, December 13, 2025(Applications due November 10, 2025)

You may also take the POST Dispatcher Test at other sites as well see link to the Academy: Dispatcher Test schedules

Applicants who have previously taken the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Test may waive the written exam onlyby submitting a T-score of 48 or higher provided the test was taken no more than two years prior to the date of application. Applicants must submit their results, including the total T-score and date of the test, on the testing agency's letterhead.

If you have previously taken the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Test and would like to retest with the City of Berkeley, you must wait 30 calendar days before being eligible to take the test again.

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.

Reasonable Accommodations:The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to [e-mail] at the time of application.