What are the responsibilities and job description for the City of San Jose is hiring: Police Radio Dispatcher Trainee / Police Communicati position at City of San Jose?
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 :
- Receiving, answering, and processing 911 emergency and non-emergency calls;
- Using a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to create calls for service;
- Assigning priorities and type codes both to incoming calls and to the dispatch of calls for service;
- Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and multitask;
- Ability to interpret information from hysterical, incoherent, angry, and upset callers;
- 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.
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.
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 :
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.
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
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 :
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
CritiCall Exam - February 21 - March 2, 2025
Oral Board Workshop
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
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.
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Salary : $94,283
