Public Safety Dispatcher​/Senior Public Safety Dispatcher

Public Safety Dispatcher

The City of Costa Mesa now offers a $15,000, one-time signing bonus for qualified Lateral Public Safety Dispatcher applicants. This bonus will be paid out at $5,000 upon hire, $5,000 upon completion after one year of service, and $5,000 upon completion of 18 month probation. To qualify for this signing bonus, candidates must meet all of the following requirements:

• Currently be employed with another public safety agency as a public safety dispatcher
• Successfully passed that agency's probationary period
• Possess a current POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate (or equivalent)

The City of Costa Mesa also offers a $10,000, one time signing bonus for qualified Entry Level Public Safety Dispatcher applicants. This bonus will be paid out at $5,000 upon hire and $5,000 upon completion of 18 month probation.

SALARY Public Safety Dispatcher: $76,920 - $103,068 annually Senior Public Safety Dispatcher: $82,644 - $110,772 annually

JOB SUMMARY:

Public Safety Dispatchers and Senior Public Safety Dispatchers are first responders who serve as the primary link between the public, police, and fire by receiving 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls. Under general supervision, they perform skilled work in receiving incoming calls at the City's Communications Operations Center, including requests for police/fire protection services or information, and dispatching of necessary units and equipment for emergency service through the use of telephone, radio, or other communications equipment;

and performs related duties as required.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS Applications must be completed and submitted online. This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close without prior notice. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, therefore prompt application is encouraged.

STEP #1:
Written Examination Take the written exam with National Testing Network (NTN). Interested candidates who meet the position qualifications must have completed the ECOMM (Emergency Communications) written exam within the last 12 months (based on application date). The exam is administered directly by the National Testing Network (NTN) and candidates pay a test fee for the service. There are multiple test sites in Southern California, as well as throughout the country.

To schedule a test, visit the NTN website at  Go to "Exams", "Emergency Communications-ECOMM", and sign up for the "Costa Mesa Police Department". NTN will submit the scores to Costa Mesa Human Resources for review. Do NOT submit a test score if you do not meet the job qualifications.

Passing scores for Costa Mesa are as follows for the three sections:

• Call Taker - 53 or higher
• Recording (Notes) - 64 or higher
• Dispatch - 43 or higher

Applicants are also required to complete the Simulations. Waiver From Written Examination:
Candidates who are currently employed as a police dispatcher with a California POST agency and possess a current POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate (or higher) will be waived from the written exam requirement. Please proceed to Step #2.

STEP #2:
Typing Certificate Provide a typing certificate that meets the following criteria:

• Must be issued from a recognized employment or public agency.
• Online/Internet issued certificates will NOT be accepted.
• Certificates must be on the agency's letterhead or formal certificate and include the agency's name and phone number.
• Must be issued within the last 12 months (based on application date).
• Certificates must indicate a NET (corrected) typing speed of 40 WPM or better.
• Failure to provide a typing certificate at time of application that meets the above requirements may result in disqualification.
• Typing certificates must be attached to application (application requirement in step #3)

Certificates from any agency meeting the above criteria will be accepted. The following agencies may also be used; the City of Costa Mesa neither endorses nor opposes any of these agencies:

Orange County Workforce Solutions
- Santa Ana Work Center
- Huntington Beach Adult School

28202 Cabot Road, #140 - 801 West Civic Center Drive, Suite 200 - 17231 Gothard Street

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 - Santa Ana, CA 92701…