Public Safety Dispatcher​/Jailer

Overview

The City of Lodi Police Department is accepting applications for entry-level Dispatcher/Jailer. This position may require processing and handling prisoners including booking arrested persons, performing searches, inventorying prisoner property, fingerprinting, and administering breath tests where applicable; monitoring prisoner activities in City detention facilities; providing daily care of prisoners including feeding and medicating; and maintaining and enforcing custodial facility regulations of the jail.

If you are seeking a fast-paced 9-1-1 dispatch center career, apply for this opportunity.

The examination process will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on a review of the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire; a resume will not be accepted or reviewed in lieu of the materials submitted. Applicants must submit an online application at www.lodi.gov
. No paper applications will be accepted.

Examination tentatively scheduled for February 5, 2026. Only applicants meeting minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery. POST regulations do not allow testing more than once in 30 calendar days. If you have taken the California POST Test Battery with another agency within 30 days prior to the scheduled test date you cannot participate in our examination.

You may submit a copy of your t-score (48.0 or higher) on issuing agency letterhead by the written examination time in lieu of taking the City of Lodi examination. If submitting a t-score of 48.0 or higher within the past 12 months (February 4, 2025 – February 4, 2026) from another California agency, you must submit it by 5:00 p.m., February 4, 2026.

Scores may be submitted by email, fax, or mail to the addresses listed below.
NO LATER THAN 5:00 PM ON FEBRUARY 4, 2026
. T-scores dated outside the window period will not be accepted.

Submission methods: email to hrdept
, fax to , or mail to City of Lodi Human Resources, PO Box 3006, Lodi, CA 95241.

DEFINITION Under general direction, receives 9-1-1 police, fire and medical emergency calls, answers non-emergency calls for public safety and other City departments using independent judgment in sensitive situations; performs a variety of non-sworn office duties in support of law enforcement activities; assumes responsibility for processing and handling of prisoners.

Receives general direction from the Dispatch Supervisor and other assigned staff. May also receive direction from the Lead Dispatcher/Jailer. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Answer emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch units as necessary according to guidelines.
• Maintain contact with units on assignment; coordinate and relay information involving other public safety agencies.
• Enter, update and retrieve information from computer networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration and other information; answer and route calls as appropriate.
• Process and handle prisoners including booking, searches, inventory of property, fingerprinting, and administration of breath tests; monitor prisoner activities; provide daily care of prisoners and enforce custodial regulations.
• Provide staff and administrative assistance related to the dispatch center; assist supervisory/management staff in resolving dispatch issues; perform special projects including training scheduling and policy/procedure development.
• Perform other duties to support department operations and city needs.

Knowledge of: Modern public safety telecommunications equipment including computer-aided dispatch systems and multi-channel radio systems; operation of related equipment and software; geographic features and boundaries;
English usage including spelling, grammar and punctuation; standard office practices;
First Aid and CPR procedures.

Ability to: Under general direction, receive and handle 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls; memorize codes, policies and procedures; manage multiple activities during stressful situations; maintain calm and analyze emergencies to prioritize needs; admit and…