Lateral Police Dispatcher

Salary Information

This position is represented by the BART Police Officers Association (BPOA).

$46.399/ Hourly (Step
1) - $50.292/ Hourly (Step
3) (

Note:

External candidates will start at step 1.)

All current BART employees and qualified individuals who are not yet BART employees.

Police Communications Manager

As assigned. Must be willing to work various shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime.

BART Police Department is a progressive agency and has been on the forefront – and in some cases the model approach to training in the areas of fair and impartial policing, bias-based policing, crisis intervention, cultural competence training, and de-escalation training. The mission of the BART Police Department is to ensure a safe environment within our transit system, reduce crime through a highly visible police presence, and proactive enforcement of the law, and to promote public confidence by working in partnership with our stakeholders and the communities we serve.

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Police Department is seeking experienced, highly skilled, calm-under-pressure, and service-oriented individuals to join our team as Police Dispatchers. Working in a fast-paced, 24/7 public safety communications center, the incumbent will receive and prioritize incoming 911 emergency and non-emergency telephone calls and operate radio systems to dispatch patrol units and other police personnel to crime scenes, service calls, and transit-system emergencies.

Dispatchers ensure accurate and timely information flow, maintain situational awareness, and support officers responding to a broad range of incidents, including safety hazards, quality-of-life concerns, medical emergencies, and criminal activity affecting BART’s stations, trains, and facilities.

The most qualified candidates for this position will have highly developed competencies in the following areas, which will be reinforced with related work experience and will be clearly articulated during the selection process:

• Strong Communication Skills – Ability to clearly and effectively communicate under pressure, both verbally and in writing, to relay information to officers, the public, and other agencies.
• Decision-Making and Problem-Solving – Quick-thinking and sound judgment in fast-paced, high-stress situations to prioritize and dispatch resources appropriately.
• Multitasking Ability – Capable of handling multiple tasks simultaneously, such as answering calls, operating radio systems, and inputting data into computers, while maintaining accuracy.
• Technical Proficiency – Skilled in operating dispatch software, radio systems, and law-enforcement databases; familiarity with emergency communication systems is essential.
• Attention to Detail – Ability to accurately process and document critical information, ensuring nothing is missed during high-stress situations.
• Calmness Under Pressure – Ability to stay composed in emergencies, managing stress while maintaining control of the situation.

The selection process for this position will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement and may include one or more of the following: a skills or performance demonstration, written examination, and/or panel or individual interview.

All applications will be reviewed by the Talent Acquisition Division to determine whether applicants meet the established Minimum Qualifications (MQs). Applicants who meet the MQs may be referred to the hiring department for further evaluation as part of the selection process.

The selection process for the Lateral Police Dispatcher will include 5 phases:

• Phase 1:
  Background Pre-Screening
• Phase 2:
  Minimum…