Dispatcher I

About the role

See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

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).

Responsibilities

Dispatchers receive incoming telephone calls and evaluate requests for Police services, Fire-Rescue services, Environmental services, and Transportation services. They 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. They 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.

Requirements

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

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.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: Must be a United States citizen or have the current legal right to work in the United States.
• Age: 18 years of age or older; 17 for high school graduates or persons with GED equivalency who are not required to have a work permit but must submit a copy of their high school diploma, CHSPE, or GED results at time of application.
• Education: Graduation from high school, GED, or two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from a college or university.
• Highly desirable: Ability to communicate and understand any of the following languages: Spanish, Korean, Arabic, Farsi, Somali, Chinese, Indochinese, or Tagalog.

Skills

The job requires quick thinking and problem-solving abilities, and excellent public relations skills.

Benefits

Employees may be required to work extended periods of night or unusual shift work for which they may receive 5% additional pay.

Pay

Police Department Dispatcher I employees typical starting hourly rate is $30.48. 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.

Schedule

Police Department Dispatcher I employees work 10 hours per shift, four days per week, with three consecutive days off. Dispatcher I employees may be required to work overtime. 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 day, evening, and night shifts. Dispatcher I employees will be rotated to different shifts on a periodic basis.

Environmental Services and Transportation Department Dispatcher I employees receive incoming phone calls and operate radio communications equipment to dispatch and coordinate various City units involved in servicing, maintaining or repairing City property, assets, services or facilities. Positions in these departments do NOT respond to 911 emergency calls.

The communication center in the Transportation Department operates 24 hours a day and seven days a week, with a staggered schedule of day, evening and night shifts.

Notes

Note: Applicants who are age 17 and are high school graduates, or have passed the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) or General Education Development (GED) examination, are not required to have a work permit; however, they must submit a copy of their high school diploma, CHSPE or GED results at time of application.

Supplemental Information

A career as a Dispatcher offers many satisfying and rewarding opportunities to help others and make a sufficient contribution to public safety.