Public Safety Dispatcher II

The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Public Safety Dispatcher II in the Police Department! In this role, you will receive 911 system emergency and non‑emergency calls, dispatch assignments according to police and fire procedures, and maintain records.

The Public Safety Dispatcher II provides 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 dispatching and call screening, you’ll perform varied record keeping, information retrieval and similar work in support of public safety activities.

Public Safety Dispatchers in the Berkeley Communications Center typically operate in four distinct positions. While Public Safety Dispatcher I possesses the skills and responsibility for two positions (Call Taker and Records), those at Public Safety Dispatcher II level possess the skills and responsibility for all four positions.

• Call Taker (handle phone calls, service requests, operate secondary radio channel)
• Records (handle phone calls, database entries/removals/inquiries, operate records radio channel)
• Fire Dispatcher (dispatch and monitor fire/medical resources, operate fire channels)
• Police Dispatcher (dispatch and monitor police resources, operate police channel)

See the full job description here.

Equivalent to graduation from high school.

• Successful completion of the first two components of the City's Public Safety Dispatcher Training Program (Call Taker and Records) and successful completion of the probation period as a Public Safety Dispatcher I with the City of Berkeley.
• Equivalently, two (2) years full‑time experience working independently in emergency services or communications with computer use and/or two‑way radio operations with a consolidated public safety agency (dispatching police and fire).
• Equivalently, three (3) years full‑time experience working independently in emergency services or communications with computer use and/or two‑way radio operations with a non‑consolidated public safety agency, plus possession of a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Dispatch certificate.

• Pass a medical and psychological evaluation.
• Be willing to work evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
• Be able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley and maintain a valid California driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.

• Completed application (resumes are not a substitute for a completed application).
• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
• Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Dispatch certificate (if applicable).

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio‑format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ada. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

The exam process may include written, oral or other assessments that test content, typing, math, reading, writing, analytical skills, problem‑solving ability, computer and software proficiency, or any other job‑related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The process and dates are subject to change. 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 hr at the time of application.