PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER I-IV - 9-1-1 Dispatcher (ENTRY LEVEL - NTN EXAM)

City of Long Beach, CA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment incentive up to $5,000

Job summary

City of Long Beach seeks entry-level Public Safety Dispatcher personnel to receive and dispatch 911 calls for police or fire and EMS. The role requires keyboarding at 35 wpm with a certificate, data entry accuracy, and multitasking under pressure.

Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation and polygraph, and must not have felony convictions. The process includes NTN exam options and strict filing requirements.

Qualifications

• Keyboarding speed of 35 wpm required and a Keyboarding Skill Certificate obtained within the last 12 months (proof required).
• Ability to handle a high volume of emergency calls with tact and speed; multitask while typing information.
• Sufficient English speaking ability; read, memorize, and apply policies and procedures.
• Must pass thorough background investigation and polygraph examination; and no felony convictions.

Responsibilities

• Receive and dispatch emergency (911) calls for police or fire and EMS.
• Enter data into computer while questioning callers and determining disposition of calls.
• Operate various communications equipment and dispatch field units using CAD system.
• Provide post-dispatch medical instructions when needed and relay information to agencies.
• May train dispatchers and participate in performance evaluations.
• May work in various dispatch supervisory positions as required.

Skills

Keyboarding 35 wpm

Multitasking

Data entry accuracy

Clear English communication

Job description

Applications are available online beginning November 6, 2026. Filing will remain open until vacancies are filled. Filing may close without further notice.

SALARY INFORMATION

Grade I - $30.216 - $41.034 Hourly

Grade II - $32.565 - $44.278 Hourly

Grade III - $35.120 - $47.693 Hourly

Grade IV - $37.881 - $51.476 Hourly

VACANCY INFORMATION

This is an entry-level position. Candidates electing to take the National Testing Network (NTN) Emergency Communications exam can apply to this posting.

Additional information can be found below.

If you have a POST Dispatcher T-Score of 50.8 within the last 12 months, apply to the PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER I-IV - 9-1-1 DISPATCHER (ENTRY LEVEL - POST EXAM) HERE

Some positions in this classification qualify for a Recruitment Incentive of up to $5,000. For more information on the City of Long Beach's Recruitment Incentive Program, please click here.

Under general supervision, receives and dispatches emergency (911) calls for police or fire and emergency medical service; enters data into personal computer while questioning callers for information; determines nature, validity and disposition of calls; may provide post-dispatch medical instructions; utilizes computer-generated messages and priorities to dispatch field units to emergency situations; operates a variety of communications equipment including radio transmitters, accessories and telephones; performs call reception and dispatch activities utilizing computer-assisted dispatch system; answers or refers inquiries and complaints regarding a wide variety of public safety and related matters; accesses, retrieves, and transmits vehicular or personal information to field units; relays relevant situational information to non-city enforcement or public safety agencies; may provide training for dispatchers and participate in evaluation of their performance; may act in a variety of dispatch supervisory positions; performs other related duties as required.

1. MUST BE WILLING TO WORK:Any shift assignment in the Police or Fire Departments and mandatory holidays, weekends, and overtime.
2. MUST BE ABLE TO:Handle a high volume of emergency calls with tact, good judgment, initiative, and speed; question callers while simultaneously typing information into a computer terminal (multitasking); speak English clearly and understandably; comprehend, interpret, and retain written and orally presented information effectively, i.e., read, memorize, interpret, and apply policies and procedures, State Penal Code, FCC regulations, charts, and maps.
3. Ability to demonstrate keyboarding skills at 35 wpm. Keyboarding Certificate Information: Applicants must have a Keyboarding Skill Certificate from an approved government, employment or training agency recognized by the Human Resources Department and obtained within the last 12 months (proof required)*.

Effective April 1, 2020, the Human Resources Department will continue to accept and receive keyboarding skills certificate from an approved government, employment or training agency recognized by the Human Resources Department and obtained during the past 12 months; this will also include an online keyboarding skills certificate** for the position of Public Safety Dispatcher. (**via a 5-minute typing test).

1. Ability to pass a thorough background investigation and polygraph examination conducted by the Long Beach Police Department. The investigation will cover information about relatives, references, acquaintances, education, residential history, employment history, criminal history, military service records, financial status, legal history, drug use, and related areas. Please click HERE for more information.
2. Must not have any felony convictions (you must not have been convicted of any crime punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiary).

*Required documents, such as a keyboarding certificate, must be uploaded to the online application at the time of filing. Any proof submitted must contain either the applicant's name or other identifying characteristics on the form.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Bilingual skills in English/Spanish or English/Southeast Asian languages, experience or training as an emergency communications operator, dispatcher, or similar position requiring knowledge of emergency medical or public safety operations, experience dealing with the public in a service-related capacity, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD), or California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Public Safety Dispatcher Basic (or above) certificate.

EXAMINATION WEIGHTS

Application Packet………………………...Qualifying

Performance Examination (Video-Based)**…….Qualifying

**The Public Safety Dispatcher performance examination consists of the National Testing Network (NTN) Emergency Communications Test titled ECOMM. Applicants must schedule a testing date through nationaltestingnetwork.com.In order to complete the application process, candidates must take the NTN exam and complete the online application.

A minimum rating of 70 must be attained in order to pass the performance examination.

PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER - POST WAIVER APPLICANTS: The National Testing Network (NTN) performance examination will be waived for candidates who have taken the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery (POST Dispatcher Test) examination with an approved agency and achieved a T-score of 50.8 or above within one year of the time of filing (proof required)*. Applicants submitting the POST Dispatcher Test examination score must complete the application for Public Safety Dispatcher-POST WAIVER.

This is a continuous examination. All applicants meeting the minimum requirements to file will be placed on the eligible list, with those receiving Veteran's Credit and Local Hiring Preference first, and then in the order in which applications were filed. Eligible lists may be established periodically.

In accordance with Civil Service Procedure 3.38, all eligible veterans who successfully qualify on any or all open-competitive examinations shall receive an additional credit of ten (10) points that will be added to their original passing score. Disabled veterans passing the examination shall receive a credit of fifteen (15) points that will be added to their original passing score. (A copy of the veteran's DD-214, Member 4 form indicating honorable discharge must be attached to the application at the time of filing.)

This position is eligible for Local Hiring Preferences and Veterans Preference Points. Learn more about available preferences and eligibility criteria here: https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act

If you have not received notification within two weeks of filing, please contact the Human Resources Department at [phone].

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

The City of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability, or other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We value diversity in our workforce and are committed to creating a workplace where every employee is respected and included. We strive to reflect the diversity of our community at all levels of the organization, promote fair and equitable employment practices, advance equity, and inclusion through our work with staff and community partners, and promote transparency by publishing workforce demographic information, including diversity and pay data by race and gender.

The City of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of Long Beach has concerns