Communications Dispatcher (Entry-Level)

Salary : $86,299.20 - $112,902.40 Annually
Location : Public Safety, 17930 Lake Chabot Rd., Castro Valley, CA
Job Type: Full-time (40 hrs)
Job Number: 26-REG-CS-17
Division: Public Safety
Department: COMMUNICATION/RECORDS/EVIDENCE
Opening Date: 07/08/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

The Position

This job is posted on a continuous basis, and applications will be reviewed monthly for consideration. Be sure to stay attentive to email communication regarding panel interviews.

**ATTENTION: There are four (4) required parts of the application. You must attach your typing certificate and POST/CritiCall test results in addition to submitting an application and answering the supplemental questions. Information links to sign up for testing dates are found under the application materials description.**

THE OPPORTUNITY:
The Park District is currently recruiting for entry-level Communications Dispatchers to work at our Public Safety HQ located in Castro Valley, CA. The hiring pools established from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur during the one-year life of the hiring pools.

We're Looking for Individuals Who Are:

• Passionate about helping others;
• Great communicators both orally and in writing;
• Capable of establishing and maintaining positive and cooperative working relationships;
• Comfortable and confident in making decisions when faced with limited information;
• Able to exercise authority and take control in emergency situations.

What You'll Be Doing as a Communications Dispatcher: Under supervision, performs a wide variety of dispatch and routine, non-hazardous law enforcement functions in a non-sworn capacity on a rotational basis within the public safety department; performs related duties as assigned.

Application materials for this position consist of four (4) required parts:
1. A current East Bay Regional Park District application submitted online; and
2. Completed supplemental questions; and
3. A valid Typing Speed Certificate**; and
4.Proof of successful completion of ONE of the following:
(The links to sign up for the tests can be found below***)

• POST Entry-level Dispatcher Test Battery T-Score OR
• The CritiCall Pre-Employment Skills Test

**Typing Speed Certificate Requirements: This position requires that you type a minimum of 40 net words per minute. You must attach a valid Typing Speed Certificate meeting the following criteria:

• Demonstrating that the applicant passed a five (5) minute typing test;
• Must be dated within 12 months of the posting closing date;
• Must be from an accredited business school or college, adult education center, skills/business center, or a public agency; internet certificates are acceptable.
• Must display the following items: Candidate name, date and duration of the test, gross words typed per minute, number of errors, name and signature of the examiner administering the test, and name, address, and telephone number of the testing agency.

***POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Test Battery T-Score OR CritiCall Pre-Employment Skills Test: Any applicants who have taken a POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Test Battery with another agency within twelve (12) months of applying for the position should attach a copy of their T-Score to the job application. A copy of the CritiCall Pre-Employment Skills Test can be accepted in lieu of the POST Dispatcher Test Battery T-Score.

To enroll in one of the above-mentioned required tests, click on the link below:
Dispatch Communications Testing Registration

• POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Test Battery T-Score: Cost is $35 (Testing dates and times are found on the website linked above.)
• CritiCall Pre-Employment Skills Test: Cost is $77 (Testing dates and times are found on the website linked above.)

Tentative Date of Onsite Examinations

Skills Tests (POST or CritiCall): Results submitted with application

Best Qualified Review (supplemental responses review) and oral panel interviews will take place on a roughly bimonthly basis. Department selection interviews will follow the oral panel interviews. The timing of the department selection interviews will vary based on the department's current hiring needs.

Essential Functions

• Performs tasks necessary to effectively dispatch police, fire and park operations resources, as required;
• Receives telephone calls from members of the public, employees, or other agencies requesting general park information, police or fire assistance, including "911" and other emergency calls;
• Transmits and receives radio messages;
• Analyzes situations and dispatches the appropriate units;
• Dispatches mobile units and other equipment to specified locations as ordered;
• Makes telephone requests for ambulance, vehicle towing, or other emergency services as requested by officers in the field;
• Monitors other law enforcement and fire agencies' radio frequencies and rebroadcasts pertinent information;
• Communicates with other agencies to coordinate a medical response;
• Operates and makes minor adjustments to radio telephone transmitting and receiving equipment;
• Responds to in-field requests for communications aid at critical incidents or any aid when requested by a supervisor including: responding to a Mobile Incident Command center or off-site communications center in emergency situations, assists in the facilitation of emergency evacuation of the communications center via patrol vehicle, Mobile Incident Command vehicle, or personal vehicle;
• Participates in mandatory off-site department trainings including but not limited to out of jurisdiction locations;
• Performs varied clerical duties such as typing, maintaining message logs, assisting on reports and records, filing, answering phones, and responding to inquiries from the public and other agencies;
• Processes police (court cases and parking citations), fire, medical, and field reports;
• Performs data entry and retrieves data;
• May be required to collect monies from members of the public for the purpose of paying fees for towing, dog permits, copies of reports, other services, or for paying fines;
• Serves as Communications Supervisor in their absence;
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade; AND

Experience: Two years of recent, responsible work experience.License or Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record is a condition of initial and continued employment in this classification.
Additional Information

Knowledge of:

• The purposes and general methods of police and fire dispatching;
• Routine clerical operations;
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access

Ability to:

• Type 40 net words per minute;
• Multi-task;
• File and prepare accurate reports;
• Manual dexterity to operate telephone, radio, and computer keyboard equipment;
• Speak English proficiently, clearly and audibly;
• Memorize and retain information quickly;
• Meet physical requirements (e.g., eyesight and hearing to satisfactorily complete job tasks); spell correctly;
• Learn the laws, regulations, and rules applicable to area of assignment;
• Learn operating procedures and policies of assigned division;
• Follow instructions, reason clearly, analyze situations accurately, act quickly and effectively in emergency situations;
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service to internal staff and external customers and park users.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must pass a Level 3 background screening
• Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, and holiday shifts
• Must wear a Park District uniform
• Possession of current First Aid and CPR certificates must be obtained within the probationary period of this classification and maintained for continued employment. Failure to obtain and subsequently maintain the required certifications could result in incumbent's removal from position.

Union Affiliation:
POLICE ASSOCIATION: The Park District's Police Association (PA) represents this classification. Wages, hours, and other terms of conditions of employment are covered in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Park District and the PA. The probationary period for this classification is eighteen (18) months.
Application process:
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system. If you have previously applied to a position on GovernmentJobs.com, please allow time to update your existing profile. Applications are accepted online only. Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you encounter problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov Help Desk toll-free at (855) 524-5627.

Notification: All applicants will be notified of the disposition of their application via email, generally within two weeks after the closing date. You may also sign into your governmentjobs.com account to view your current application status and notifications. If you have any questions, please reach out to HR Analyst, Christina Souza at csouza@ebparks.org.

Selection Process: The application materials for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for interview or testing. The District reserves the right to set