Salary: $73,431.00 - $97,941.00 Annually
Location : Orange Police Dept - 1107 N. Batavia, Orange, CA
Job Type: Full Time Miscellaneous
Job Number: 01722
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 07/23/2026
Closing Date: 8/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Max Number of Applicants: 148

POLICE DISPATCHER!
The City of Orange is looking for a dedicated individual who wants to make a difference in the community they serve by becoming a Police Dispatcher with one of the best Police Departments in Orange County! Ideal candidates are calm, concise, decisive, and compassionate under pressure. If that describes you, apply today!
This recruitment will close upon receipt of 150 applications, or on August 17th - whichever occurs first.
THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

It is important that candidates read and become familiar with the job flyer in its entirety as pertinent information is provided here regarding application requirements. All fields of the application must be completed. If a field in the application does not apply, candidates must indicate N/A in that field.

Generally, this recruitment process consists of a typing test, POST written exam, and oral interview. Candidates who are successful at each of these steps of the process will be invited to the background investigation phase of the hiring process.

Candidates who already possess either or both of the documents listed below and who attach either or both documents to their application may waive the respective steps of the recruitment process. Don't yet possess the documents listed below? Still apply - you will just need to complete and pass each step below to proceed in the hiring process; we will offer these to candidates who pass the application review.

1. In-person Typing Certificate indicating a corrected typing speed of 35+ WPM (the Typing Certificate must include the following information)
   • Name of Applicant
   • Number of corrected (net) words per minute typed during a five (5) minute timed test
   • Date of Certificate - cannot be more than six (6) months old as of the date of application
   • Signature and title of person verifying the typing test
   • Address and telephone number of the agency administering the exam
2. California POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery T-Score of 48 or higher

LATERAL DISPATCHER CANDIDATES - $10,000 HIRING INCENTIVE:
Are you currently a dispatcher with a California law enforcement agency who possesses a CA POST Dispatcher Basic Certificate (this certificate is not the same as the CA POST Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course certificate)? If so, you are eligible for a $10,000 hiring incentive ($5,000 at time of hire and $5,000 at time of completion of probation)!

If you believe you qualify as a Lateral candidate, apply then email - the next step of the recruitment process for Lateral candidates is the scheduling of an in-person interview!

AUTOMATIC EMPLOYMENT DISQUALIFIERS:

We understand that applying for employment requires a substantial amount of time and effort. Before applying for the position of Police Dispatcher, please click on and read the Orange Police Department's Automatic Disqualifier Notice to help you determine if you are eligible to be considered for employment. Note: All personnel hired by the Orange Police Department shall be a permanent and full-time resident of the State of California and reside no further than one hundred (100) road miles from Police Headquarters.

Examples of Duties
Under general supervision from higher level supervisory and management staff, Police Dispatcher duties may include, but are not limited to: Receive emergency calls from the public requesting police 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 status and location of police field units; answer non-emergency calls for assistance; answer maintenance service emergencies on weekends and holidays; coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement agencies; enter, update and retrieve information from Teletype networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information; perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work; maintain a variety of logs relating to public safety activities; test and inspect equipment as required; type daily log of all field calls and units dispatched; perform related duties as assigned. Candidates must be able and willing to work rotating shifts, including, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays.

Typical Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Geographic features and streets within the area served.
Standard radio broadcasting procedures and rules.
Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
Modern office procedures, practices, and equipment operation.
Ability to:
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Work under pressure, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
Type accurately at a rate of 35 words per minute or faster.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Learn to operate dispatch, Teletype and other office equipment.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Work various shifts as assigned.
Education & Experience:
Required:

• Completion of the twelfth (12th) grade or equivalent
• Two (2) years of general work experience involving frequent interactions with the public

Highly Desirable:

• One (1) year of dispatch experience in a public safety (police and/or fire) or fast-paced setting
• One (1) year of experience operating communications equipment
• Possession of a California POST Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course certificate

License or Certificate:
Completion of, or ability to complete as required, the California POST Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course.

Supplemental Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds. This position requires regular and reliable attendance and the employee's physical presence at the workplace. Incumbents are assigned to a 4/10 work schedule. Must be willing and available to work various shifts on a rotating basis to cover the 24/7 operations of this role, including, but not limited to, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS:

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. The principal duties of this class are performed in a police station environment with exposure to criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER:
All employees of the City of Orange are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours, and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.

BENEFITS FOR CITY OF ORANGE POLICE ASSOCIATION (NON-SWORN)

The City of Orange provides a generous array of benefits to employees in addition to maintaining competitive salaries. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees working from 20 to 35 hours. Part-time employees working 19 hours do not qualify for benefits.

The following is a partial list of benefits:

Salary Range. Salary ranges are composed of seven (7) steps, each approximately five percent (5%) apart, with the exception of th final step, which is approximately two percent (2%) apart. Advancements through the steps are generally made yearly and based on performance.

Retirement Benefits. Retirement benefits are provided by the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), including the City's contribution toward the Fourth Level Survivor's Benefit.

An employee who is a "Classic" Member of CalPERS or a current member of another California public retirement system who is hired by the City of Orange on or after January 1, 2013, will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2.7% @ 55 benefit formula with one year final compensation. Employees contribute 8.00% of pension reportable salary on a pre-tax basis for this retirement benefit.
Effective January 1, 2013, newly hired non-safety employees who are "New" CalPERS Members, as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 ("PEPRA"), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% at age 62 defined benefit plan with three year final compensation in accordance with Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). New Members shall contribute half of normal cost of retirement as determined by CalPERS from their pensionable compensation, on a pre-tax basis, as set forth in California Government Code Section 7522.30.

PORAC Retiree Medical Trust. Employees pay $50 per pay period towards the PORAC Retiree Medical Trust and after ten (10) years are eligible for partial reimbursement of medical insurance premiums upon retirement.

Cafeteria Benefits Plan. The City pays $2,120 per month (Family), which can be applied towards medical, dental, or vision insurances, and/or taken as cash under certain criteria.

Life Insurance. The City provides a term life insurance policy of $50,000.

Vacation. Police employees earn 80 hours of vacation during the first year of service, and an increasing accrual annually up to 220 hours per year after 30 years of service. The City also provides an annual unused vacation payout plan.

Holidays. Employees receive 115 hours of holiday accrual each year to be taken as time off or converted to cash.

Sick Leave. Sick leave is accrued at a rate of 96 hours per year. Employees are eligible to convert unused sick leave to vacation on an annual basis. A partial payment (up to 50%) for accumulated unused sick leave is available to City employees who retire from the City.

Other Benefits.Most employees work a "4/10" alternate work schedule. An Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement (up to $1,500/fiscal year), Trip Reduction Program incentives, optional Deferred Compensation programs and Credit Union membership are a few of the additional benefits provided and/or available to employees.

For more information, please click for the Police Association Memorandum of Understanding.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

A Medical Examination, Police Records Check, and thorough Background Investigation are required of all prospective employees.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform & Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), all job offers made by the City of Orange are contingent upon establishing proof of your legal right to work in the United States.

All benefitted employees shall be subject to a twelve (12) month probationary period as a condition of employment.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contributions toward benefit costs, are subject to change as a result of periodic contract settlements between recognized employee associations and the City of Orange.
01

Have you read the Automatic Disqualifier Notice and understand that if any of the listed items apply, it will lead to an automatic disqualification from the selection process?

• Yes, I have read the Notice and understand the statement above.

02

Do you have the legal right to work in the United States?

• Yes
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