What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dispatcher position at City of Palm Springs?
THE CITY: Palm Springs, located in the Coachella Valley, is known for its luxurious yet relaxed lifestyle. Picture waking up to fresh air, surrounded by palm trees, and enjoying stunning mountain views. This city offers a perfect blend of nature and modern living for both residents and visitors. Palm Springs is ideal for families, offering numerous parks, gardens, and nature reserves for leisurely activities and wildlife encounters. With a wide range of attractions and events, there’s always something fun for everyone in the family. To see the exciting things going on visit the Engage Palm Springs website. The City of Palm Springs is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, from policies to inclusive healthcare, and making people of various backgrounds feel welcome and supported. To view our recent Human Rights Campaign, visit the Municipal Equity Index website.
THE POSITION: This position is a member of the Palm Springs Police Department and works in the City's 24/7 911 emergency dispatch center. This position receives and transmits emergency radio messages and telephone calls; processes requests from field personnel for information; and performs a variety of administrative duties.
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Receive incoming emergency calls; decide appropriate needs of situation; dispatch necessary police, fire or other emergency resources according to established procedures.
- Monitor peripheral radio transmissions and security related devices; relay appropriate information to affected field units.
- Process requests from field personnel for information including emergency and routine requests for vehicle, driver license, records, and warrants information.
- Collect and file information regarding incidents and departmental activity; compile data; prepare and type reports as necessary.
- Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
- Operate a variety of office equipment including a radio console, scanner, computer terminal, typewriter, copy machine, and recording equipment.
- Search suspects.
- Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered, however, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the selection process. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. (One year of work experience is the equivalent of 12 months of full-time work. "Full-time work" means at least 36 hours of work over a period of one week or 1,872 hours of work over a period of at least 12 months.) Qualifications noted as "desirable" or "preferred" are not included as part of the minimum requirements.
Experience:
Experience:
- One (1) year of experience involving telephone contact and use of computers is required.
- Previous radio dispatching experience in a law enforcement environment is preferred.
- Experience with Microsoft Word is preferred.
Education:
A high school diploma or equivalent education is required.
License or Certificates:
A Certificate of Completion for the POST-certified Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course (80 hours minimum) is preferred.
Necessary Special Requirements:
A high school diploma or equivalent education is required.
License or Certificates:
A Certificate of Completion for the POST-certified Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course (80 hours minimum) is preferred.
Necessary Special Requirements:
- Must be willing and able to work various shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Must be able to type at a rate of 45 net words per minute. (Must be able to provided proof of a valid typing certificate. Internet/Online certificates are not acceptable.)
- EComm online exam (by invitation only). This online exam is administered by National Testing Network - for more information about the exam click here. Testing fees through National Testing Network are the responsibility of the Applicant and not reimbursable by the City of Palm Springs. Candidates that pass the qualification review will be invited to participate in the EComm exam.
- Must successfully complete a pre-employment Public Safety Dispatcher background investigation, psychological exam, polygraph, physical exam and drug screen.
- Must serve an 18-month probationary period upon appointment.
Working Conditions
The following work environment and physical conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.
The following work environment and physical conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.
This position works in an office type setting and may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods; the ability to maintain composure in emergency and stressful situations; talk or hear by telephone and radio; use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate standard computer; specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
A completed application and supplemental questionnaire are required by the closing date and time. As a candidate for the position, you will want to be sure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position to achieve maximum opportunity. Applications will be reviewed carefully and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process.
Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered as this information will be used to determine minimum qualifications. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications.
Resumes and other documents may be submitted, however, they will not be used to determine minimum qualifications, please do not use phrases such as "see attached" or "see resume" as they will not be considered. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the process. Minimum requirements must be met at the time of application submission unless stated otherwise.
Selection Process Information - The selection process for this position may include one or more of the following:
Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered as this information will be used to determine minimum qualifications. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications.
Resumes and other documents may be submitted, however, they will not be used to determine minimum qualifications, please do not use phrases such as "see attached" or "see resume" as they will not be considered. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the process. Minimum requirements must be met at the time of application submission unless stated otherwise.
Selection Process Information - The selection process for this position may include one or more of the following:
- Application review
- Qualification review
- EComm online exam (by invitation only). This online exam is administered by National Testing Network - for more information about the exam click here. Testing fees through National Testing Network are the responsibility of the Applicant and not reimbursable by the City of Palm Springs. Candidates that pass the qualification review will be invited to participate in the EComm exam
- Oral panel exam
- Department interview
Candidates must successfully pass each stage of the selection process above in order to continue to the next step. This process may be modified or changed depending on the number of qualified candidates.
Please remember to submit all your application materials by the closing date and time. Incomplete or applications received after the closing date and time cannot be considered. All information on the application is subject to investigation and verification.
Please remember to submit all your application materials by the closing date and time. Incomplete or applications received after the closing date and time cannot be considered. All information on the application is subject to investigation and verification.
For more information on completing your application materials click here.
If you are ready to join the exciting Team Palm Springs and you meet the requirements detailed above, please click the apply button. For more information contact Human Resources at:
The City of Palm Springs
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
www.palmspringsca.gov
760-323-8215
760-323-8215
Applications must be received by 4:00 pm on June 30, 2025, in order to be considered for this opportunity. The City of Palm Springs reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received.
The City of Palm Springs is an equal employment opportunity employer and we encourage all persons to file applications. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, family or marital status, disability, medical condition or pregnancy, genetic information, religious or political affiliation, or veteran status.
Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Palm Springs Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
The City of Palm Springs is an equal employment opportunity employer and we encourage all persons to file applications. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, family or marital status, disability, medical condition or pregnancy, genetic information, religious or political affiliation, or veteran status.
Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Palm Springs Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
Salary : $5,464 - $7,347
