Public Safety Dispatcher/Senior Public Safety Dispatcher

Description

***SIGNING BONUS FOR LATERAL AND ENTRY LEVEL PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHERS***

The City of Costa Mesa now offers a $15,000, one-time signing bonus for qualified Lateral Public Safety Dispatcher applicants. This bonus will be paid out at $5,000 upon hire, $5,000 upon completion after one year of service, and $5,000 upon completion of 18 month probation.

To qualify for this signing bonus, candidates must meet all of the following requirements:

• Currently be employed with another public safety agency as a public safety dispatcher
• Successfully passed that agency’s probationary period
• Possess a current POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate (or equivalent)

The City of Costa Mesa also offers a $10,000, one time signing bonus for qualified Entry Level Public Safety Dispatcher applicants. This bonus will be paid out at $5,000 upon hire and $5,000 upon completion of 18 month probation.

SALARY
Public Safety Dispatcher: $72,480 - $97,128 annually
Senior Public Safety Dispatcher: $77,880 - $104,388 annually

JOB SUMMARY:

Public Safety Dispatchers and Senior Public Safety Dispatchers are first responders who serve as the primary link between the public, police, and fire by receiving 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls. Under general supervision, they perform skilled work in receiving incoming calls at the City's Communications Operations Center, including requests for police/fire protection services or information, and dispatching of necessary units and equipment for emergency service through the use of telephone, radio, or other communications equipment; and performs related duties as required.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

Applications must be completed and submitted online. This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close without prior notice. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, therefore prompt application is encouraged.

STEP #1: Written Examination

Take the written exam with National Testing Network (NTN).

Interested candidates who meet the position qualifications must have completed the ECOMM (Emergency Communications) written exam within the last 12 months (based on application date). The exam is administered directly by the National Testing Network (NTN) and candidates pay a test fee for the service. There are multiple test sites in Southern California, as well as throughout the country.

• To schedule a test, visit the NTN website at www.nationaltestingnetwork.com . Go to "Exams", "Emergency Communications-ECOMM", and sign up for the "Costa Mesa Police Department".
• NTN will submit the scores to Costa Mesa Human Resources for review.
• Do NOT submit a test score if you do not meet the job qualifications.

Passing scores for Costa Mesa are as follows for the three sections:

• Call Taker - 53 or higher
  
• Recording (Notes) - 64 or higher
  
• Dispatch - 43 or higher
  

* Applicants are also required to complete the Simulations.

Waiver From Written Examination: Candidates who are currently employed as a police dispatcher with a California POST agency and possess a current POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate (or higher) will be waived from the written exam requirement. Please proceed to Step #2.

STEP #2: Typing Certificate

Provide a typing certificate that meets the following criteria:

• Must be issued from a recognized employment or public agency.
  • Online/Internet issued certificates will NOT be accepted.
• Certificates must be on the agency's letterhead or formal certificate and include the agency's name and phone number.
• Must be issued within the last 12 months (based on application date).
• Certificates must indicate a NET (corrected) typing speed of 40 WPM or better .
• Failure to provide a typing certificate at time of application that meets the above requirements may result in disqualification.
• Typing certificates must be attached to application (application requirement in step #3)

Certificates from any agency meeting the above criteria will be accepted. The following agencies may also be used; the City of Costa Mesa neither endorses nor opposes any of these agencies.

Orange County
Workforce Solutions Santa Ana
Work Center Huntington Beach
Adult School 28202 Cabot Road, #140 801 West Civic Center Drive, Suite 200 17231 Gothard Street

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 Santa Ana, CA 92701 Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714) 480-6500 (714) 565-2600 (714) 842-4227


STEP #3: Submit Application

Applications must be completed and submitted online. Candidates are required to provide specific information on their education and experience as it relates to the position by completing all fields of the application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete (resumes are not accepted). Candidate notifications are sent via email. Please make sure your email address is correct and check your email periodically during the application process.

AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFIERS: Please be advised of the Costa Mesa Police Department automatic disqualifiers : click here for a list of background disqualifiers.

If any of the automatic disqualifiers pertain to you, it is recommended that you do not take the written exam or submit an application for this position as you will be disqualified from the selection process.

Required Attachment(s):

• All applicants - Typing Certificate meeting the requirements stated in Step #2.
  
• Applicants who have completed the POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course must attach a copy of their Certificate of Completion to their application.
• Candidates who are Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certified must attach a copy of their Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate.
  • ( Note: this Certificate differs from the one obtained from the POST Basic Course, rather it is awarded after completing probation as a full-time dispatcher at a POST participating agency. ) Lateral applicants may be eligible to have the written exam waived.

Do NOT attach any other documents other than what is listed above (i.e., resume, diplomas, IDs, etc.), as they will not be accepted or reviewed in the application process.

STEP #4: Oral Interview Evaluations

Based upon the information presented in the application, a limited number of applicants who possess qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. Candidates must complete the written exam and typing certificate requirements in order for their applications to be reviewed.

Please notify the Human Resources Division 72 hours in advance of the test date if you have a disability which requires accommodation for the testing process.

Eligibility List

Candidates must pass all four (4) steps listed above to be placed on the City's Eligibility List. The written exam, typing certificate, and application review are all qualifying steps (pass/fail). The oral interview evaluation is weighted 100% and determines a candidate's placement on the eligibility list. Eligibility lists are valid for one (1) year from the date they are established unless it is exhausted sooner or extended for an additional period of time.

Final Phases of the Selection Process:

All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate’s legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully passing all components of the pre-employment process which may include, but is not limited to: comprehensive background check, criminal history check (livescan fingerprint check), polygraph examination, post-offer psychological evaluation and post-offer medical evaluation (may include drug screen).

Note: The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained within may be modified or revoked without notice.

Essential Functions

The current essential functions of the Public Safety Dispatcher and Senior Public Safety Dispatcher positions are currently being updated. Updated functions will be available for viewing at later date at this link: Job Description Link

Qualification Guidelines

The current minimum qualification guidelines including requisite knowledge, skill and abilities of the Public Safety Dispatcher and Senior Public Safety Dispatcher positions are currently being updated. Updated guidelines will be available for viewing at later date at this link: Job Description Link

Applicants will be recommended for the Public Safety Dispatcher or Senior Public Safety Dispatcher position based upon their qualifications as noted on their employment application and in their interview evaluation (subject to verification).

Supplemental Information

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISASTER SERVICE WORKER:

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100 - all City of Costa Mesa employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or disaster.

PHYSICAL TASKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Please contact Human Resources for a summary of the essential tasks and environmental factors for this classification.

Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

To view 2024 benefit information for all groups, Click Here
To view 2025 benefit information for all groups, Click Here

New employees contribute 9% of their salary on a pre-tax basis towards the 2%@60 or 2%@62 CalPERS retirement formula depending on eligibility.

Employees receive the following health insurance flexible benefits contribution:

• Current: $1,600monthly
• Effective January 2025: $1,650monthly

The City does not participate in the Social Security system; however, federal mandate requires new employees to contribute 1.45% of wages to Medicare. As a condition of employment, all new employees are required to enroll and participate in the direct deposit program.

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• City of Costa Mesa

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