City of San Jose is hiring: Police Radio Dispatcher Trainee / Police Communicati

The San José Police Department is dedicated to providing public safety through community partnerships and 21st Century Policing practices, ensuring equity for all. The Department is committed to treating all of San Jose’s diverse community members with dignity, fairness, and respect, while protecting their rights and providing equal protection under the law.

Police Communication Specialist position is an entry-level training position in the Communications Unit for the Police Department. Police Communication Specialists are required to handle the full range of telephone answering and dispatch functions. The key responsibilities for a Police Communication Specialist include:

1. Receiving, answering, and processing 911 emergency and non-emergency calls;
2. Using a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to create calls for service;
3. Assigning priorities and type codes both to incoming calls and to the dispatch of calls for service;
4. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and multitask;
5. Ability to interpret information from hysterical, incoherent, angry, and upset callers;
6. Create crime and informational reports.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

**Candidates that are appointed will be required to attend the Basic Dispatch Academy held in-house at the San Jose Police Department for eight (8) weeks. Candidates are paid when they begin academy training. After the academy, candidates will continue on-the-job training, rotating through a number of assignments and shifts.**

Mandatory overtime will be required during critical incidents or to maintain staffing levels. Wearing a uniform is required; however, uniform expenses are partially reimbursed. The wearing of a headset is also required and is purchased by the employer. Incumbents receive paid training beginning on their first day attending the Basic Dispatch Academy.

These positions may require assignments to a Swing, Graveyard, or other non-standard shift; most work four 10-hour shifts followed by three days off. There is a shift differential payment of $2.25/hour for Swing Shift and $2.50/hour for Graveyard Shift.

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Position & Duties - Police Radio Dispatcher Trainee

The Police Radio Dispatcher Trainee position is an entry-level training position in the Communications Unit of the Police Department. The key responsibilities for Police Radio Dispatcher Trainee include:

1. Learning to dispatch police personnel and equipment on both routine and emergency calls utilizing the computer aided dispatch system, video display terminals, radio dispatching consoles, and related equipment;
2. Answering the telephone and receiving emergency, non-emergency, and 9-1-1 requests for assistance;
3. Inquiring, interpreting, verifying, receiving, and disseminating information from law enforcement computer networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, etc;
4. Participating in field training exercises as needed to fully develop dispatching skills;
5. Performing all related learning and testing activities.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Formal training in the classroom and in the field will be provided in order to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the public safety dispatching functions. Police Radio Dispatcher Trainees must complete the training program and be appointed to the class of Police Radio Dispatcher in order to retain employment. Successful candidates must demonstrate excellent communication skills, strong customer service skills, and the ability to retain composure and work accurately under pressure in emergency situations.

**Candidates that are appointed will be required to attend the Basic Dispatch Academy held in-house at the San Jose Police Department for eight (8) weeks. Candidates are paid when they begin academy training. After the academy, candidates will continue on-the-job training, rotating through a number of assignments and shifts. After successfully completing this portion of the training program, Candidates will begin a five (5) week Radio Academy and training program as a Police Radio Dispatcher.**

Mandatory overtime will be required during critical incidents or to maintain staffing levels. Wearing a uniform is required; however, uniform expenses are partially reimbursed. The wearing of a headset is also required which is purchased by the employer. Incumbents receive paid training beginning with their first day attending the Basic Dispatch Academy.

These positions may require assignment to a Swing, Graveyard, or other non-standard shift; most work four 10-hour shifts followed by three days off. There is a shift differential payment of $2.25/hour for Swing Shift and $2.50/hour for Graveyard shifts.

Salary Ranges
Police Communication Specialist - $87,862.32 - $106,753.92
Police Radio Dispatcher Trainee - $94,283.28 *After training is completed, the salary range for Police Radio Dispatcher is $104,679.12 - $127,283.52.* These amounts include an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay.

Police Communication Specialist

Education and Experience: Completion of high school or equivalent (General Education Development [GED] Test or California Proficiency Certificate) AND one (1) year of experience working in public contact employment defined as customer service, a call center, or a closely related field where substantial face-to-face or over-the-phone contact was made with the public.

Police Radio Dispatcher Trainee

Education and Experience: Successful completion of high school and one year of experience receiving, processing and/or dispatching calls in a radio dispatch or call center OR, successful completion of high school and one (1) year of experience working in public contact employment.

NOTE: Public contact employment is defined as customer service, a call center, or a closely related field where substantial face-to-face or over-the-phone contact was made with the public.

Passing a San Jose Police Department background (including but not limited to a polygraph examination, medical examination and psychological evaluation) check is a condition of employment

Competencies

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

• Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
• Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.
• Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.
• Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
• Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
• Decision Making - Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.
• Multi-Tasking - Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current positions.
• Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and effective manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.
• Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education that promotes job performance.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only those candidates whose background best match the position will be forwarded to the next phase of the selection process, which includes an Information Session, Computer Practical (CRITICALL) and Oral Interview. Applicants deemed most competitive after oral interviews will be required to pass a police background investigation, which includes polygraph, medical examination, and psychological screening.

For more information regarding the Background Process click HERE.

Mandatory Information Session: Attending Information session is mandatory to move forward to the CRITICALL Exam. The Information Session provides applicants with more details regarding the day-to-day duties of the position(s) and an overall understanding of the hiring and training process as well as information regarding the Background Process and requirements.

Computer Practical (CRITICALL): The City of San Jose Police Department administers the CRITICALL Exam during the recruitment process. The CRITICALL exam is a Pass/Fail computer practical where applicants listen to a series of taped exercises, which require applicants to rapidly and accurately process simulated dispatch information.

Tentative Timeline -

Mandatory Information Session (In person) – January 28 and 30 and February 1, 2025
CritiCall Workshop *OPTIONAL* (Virtual) - February 9, 10, and 11, 2025
CritiCall Exam - February 21 - March 2, 2025
Oral Board Workshop *OPTIONAL* (Virtual) - March 9, 10, 11, and 13, 2025
Oral Board (In person) – March 15, 2025
Backgrounds: March - July 2025
Hiring Board Selection: July 2025
Psych/Medical Exams: July 2025 (4-6 weeks to receive final status after appointment)
Academy Start Date: September 14, 2025
*DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IF NEEDED*

If you have questions regarding the duties of this position, the recruitment, or selection/hiring process, please contact Alexandria Rodriguez via email at Alexandria.rodriguez@sanjoseca.gov.