Dispatcher, Government

see notes below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

applicants are encouraged to apply to other active dispatcher recruitments, as vacancies may be filled utilizing any current dispatcher eligible lists (dispatcher ii and fire dispatcher).

you will be required to pass a computer-based performance test to be considered for dispatcher i positions.

multi-tasking skills and the ability to make quick decisions are essential to be a successful dispatcher.

for positions in the police department, selected candidates will undergo a comprehensive character and background investigation, including a polygraph examination and fingerprint check prior to hire. Felony convictions, domestic violence convictions, or use of any illegal drugs may be disqualifying. For additional information, refer to the following link:

https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./dispatcher

all dispatcher i positions, under general supervision, receive incoming telephone calls and evaluate requests for police services, fire-rescue services, environmental services, and transportation services.

• employees in job classifications represented by the municipal employees association (mea) are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29
• eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after july 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the san diego city employees retirement system (sdcers).
• dispatcher i employees may answer 50-170 calls a day and are required to sit for long periods of time. Please refer to the supplemental information section of the job bulletin for a more detailed description of typical dispatcher i duties and working conditions.
• dispatcher i employees may be required to work extended periods of night or unusual shift work for which they may receive 5% additional pay.

dispatcher i positions in the policeand fire-rescue departments work on a computer-aided dispatch (cad) system and are the primary answering point for all 911 and non-emergency phone calls from within the city of san diego (fire-rescue department has dispatch contracts with chula vista, coronado, imperial beach, national city, and poway); elicit essential incident information from callers; determine the nature and extent of the request, the priority of the problem and the need for dispatching police, fire or medical field units;

enter appropriate information by typing on a computer keyboard into a dispatch format; answer routine inquiries and refer calls not requiring dispatch to the appropriate department or agency.

• police department dispatcher i employees typical starting hourly rate is $30.48.
• police department dispatcher i employees must obtain a california p.o.s.t. Basic dispatcher course certificate within one year from date of hire.
• police department dispatcher i employees who possess a california p.o.s.t. Basic dispatcher course certificate are eligible for 20% additional pay.
• police department dispatcher i employees assigned as operators in the 911 police department phone room are eligible for 5% additional special assignment pay.
• police department dispatcher i employees work 10 hours per shift, four days per week, with three consecutive days off.
• police department dispatcher i employees may be required to work overtime.
• police department dispatcher i employees may be required to work during all city holidays.
• the communication center in the police department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with day, evening, and night shifts. Dispatcher i employees will be rotated to different shifts on a periodic basis.

• fire-rescue department dispatcher i employees work 12-hour shifts (44/36 rotation schedule).
• fire-rescue department dispatcher i employees may be required to work overtime during training, if needed, on cleared positions.
• fire-rescue department dispatcher i employees may be required to work during all city holidays.
• fire-rescue department dispatcher i employees are eligible for 17.5% additional pay after successfully completing the paid mandatory emergency medical dispatcher (emd) certification course.
• all dispatcher classifications in the fire-rescue department are subject to mandated overtime beyond their scheduled shift with short notice to maintain staffing levels.
• the communication center in the fire department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with…