Salary : $121,783.23 - $148,026.14 Annually
Location : Milpitas Police Department, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Police
Division: Communications
Opening Date: 09/03/2026

Definition
***THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED, AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME.**

The first application review date is Friday, September 18, 2026.
Base Salary: $114,889.84 - $139,647.30 Annually
Dispatchers receive 6% Holiday In-lieu pay

Total Salary: $121,783.23 - $148,026.14 Annually (Range includes holiday in-lieu pay only)

In addition, Dispatchers are eligible to receive the following additional pay:

• Up to 5% Night Differential
• 5% Tactical Dispatcher Pay

The PositionThe Milpitas Police Department seeks committed and compassionate candidates with strong multi-tasking skills to join an amazing team. You will be at the heart of our operations, orchestrating the movement of resources and working with a diverse team that includes dispatchers and dispatcher supervisors.

Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receive emergency calls from the public requesting police, fire, or other emergency service; determine nature and location of emergency, determine priority, and dispatch emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures.
• Maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain accurate status and location of police field units and fire units.
• Answer non-emergency calls for assistance; answer maintenance service emergencies on weekends and holidays.
• Prioritize and coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement agencies.
• Answer incoming phone calls; screen calls and route to the appropriate person or office.
• Enter, update, and retrieve information from various databases relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information.
• Quickly evaluate emergency situations and develop logical working solutions.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Please note: This position requires shift work, depending on the operational needs of the department.

For the complete job description, click here:
Typical Qualifications
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Experience:

• Entry-level: None
• Lateral: Requires current experience as a public safety dispatcher.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
The following documents must be uploaded in the Attachments Section of your application. Failure to attach the required documents below will be considered an incomplete application, and will result in disqualification from the recruitment process.

Entry-Level Applicants:

1. Copy of typing certification with 35 wpm, completed with one year of application submission. Typing Certificates must be obtained from an employment center or adult education center. Online typing certificates will not be accepted.
2. Copy of California POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery with a T-Score of 50 or above OR copy of the successful completion of the Criticall test

Lateral Applicants: (Candidates who are currently working for a law enforcement agency as a public safety dispatcher)

1. Copy of California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate or MUST be eligible to obtain P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate by the time of hire.

**Failure to submit all documents will result in disqualification from the recruitment process.**

Supplemental Information
SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants whose qualifications best meet our current needs will be invited to participate in the selection process that will consist of an oral board interview, polygraph test, background investigation, psychological exam, and medical exam. Meeting the minimum requirements listed in this job description does not guarantee advancement in subsequent phases of the selection process.
Police Department Contact:

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or the lateral incentive program, please contact Lisa Beaulieu, Management Analyst, at:
Certificate and Testing Information:

• For information regarding the CritiCall test, please visit
• For information regarding the California POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery visit

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

• Receives general supervision from the Communications Supervisor.
• May provide technical supervision to less experienced staff in the communication center.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Essential duties require the following physical abilities and work environment:
General office environment; sit and/or stand for long periods of time; repetitive keyboarding; reach, squat, lift, and carry up to 25 pounds; able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Milpitas.
City of Milpitas Benefits Page:

*For Police Officer and Communications Dispatcher Benefits, visit:
01

Please select the Communications Dispatcher position you are applying for:

• Entry-level
• Lateral

02

Do you possess a typing proficiency certificate with a minimum of 35 net words per minute (wpm) within the past year?

• Yes
• No

03

Please select the tests or certifications you currently possess, and ensure a copy of your results are included in the Attachments Section of this application.

• Typing certification with at least 35 wpm
• California P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Dispatcher
• California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate
• Successful completion of the Criticall Test
• None of the above

Required Question