Public Safety Dispatcher

Salary : $68,892.00 - $92,232.00 Annually
Location : Oceanside, CA, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2627-57
Department: Police
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 12/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

The City of Oceanside is accepting applications for current and future vacancies for the position of Public Safety Dispatcher. This position will be assigned to the Police Department - Communications Center.

This classification is currently working a schedule of 3 consecutive days with 12-hour shifts. (3/12 schedule) Our communications center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
EXAMINATION DATES:

Computer Based CRITICALL Exam:

Virtually Proctored Assessment
Prospective employees will undergo and must successfully pass a thorough police background investigation which may include a psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, and a medical examination which may include a drug screen.

Examples of Duties
The Public Safety Dispatcher operates RCS (800MHz), telephone key modules, computer terminal stations, alarm signal equipment, and other communications equipment; receives incoming telephone calls and evaluates requests for emergency services; elicits and records essential incident information from callers such as name, address, phone number, and a brief description of the incident; determines the priority and dispatches personnel and equipment for emergency service in accordance with department procedures; answers routine inquiries and refers calls not requiring dispatches to appropriate departments and agencies; maintains radio contact with field mobile units to coordinate emergency services, receives and transmits information; keeps command personnel informed of status of emergency situations; maintains records of communications activities; updates special files, street lists, and maps; tests communications equipment and reports malfunctions; assumes supervisory duties in the absence of the Communications Supervisor; performs related duties and responsibilities as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and procedures involved in public safety communications work;
• Geography of the City and the location of streets and important buildings;
• Operation of radio/telephone receiving and transmitting equipment; and
• Computer terminal. Rules, policies, and regulations regarding dispatching services
• Principles of functional supervision, training and dispatching operations.

Ability to:

• Understand English and speak it clearly in a well-modulated voice using good diction and appropriate grammar;
• Learn and apply Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations governing voice, radio and teletype communications;
• Effectively work under conditions of emergency;
• Make quick and appropriate determinations in all situations;
• Adjust quickly to changing situations and priorities;
• Maintain accurate records;
• Type accurately at a moderate speed;
• Accurately read and interpret maps;
• Remain courteous and calm while interacting with the public;
• Handle simultaneous calls;
• Listen and comprehend radio calls while talking on the phone; and
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Write clear, concise reports and instructions;
• Identify and implement efficient work practices and procedures;
• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities;
• Train others in the use of communications equipment.

Experience and Training
Experience: Some experience providing information and assistance to the public is desirable.
Training: Completion of the twelfth grade or equivalent.

License/Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, prior to appointment, an appropriate Class C, valid Driver's License.

A (5) minute typing assessment will be completed virtually prior to Criticall Assessment: Must score 45 Net Words Per Minute, with no more than five (5) errors.

Condition of Employment: Must obtain a P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatch Certificate within twelve (12) months of hire.
Working Conditions and Selection Process
Environmental Conditions: Office environment; exposure to computer screens.
Physical Conditions: Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods of time and the wearing of headsets while on duty.
Selection Process: All applications will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. The process will include a computer based examination to assess job-related experience and skills. Candidates who successfully complete the examination process will be placed on the eligibility list and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.

Note: A five (5) minute typing certificate with a net of 45 Words Per Minute, with no more than five (5) errors prior to CRITICALL ASSESSMENT.
RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS BUT MAY BE ATTACHED.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.

CITY OF OCEANSIDE

Oceanside Police Officers' Association - Non-Sworn
Benefit Summary

The following is a highlight of benefits:

Retirement
Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)

• Employees hired after January 1, 2013 are subject to the State laws of the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) in regard to retirement benefits. Each individual's benefits may differ. Consult with Employee Benefits for further details.
• Third Level 1959 Survivor Credit
• Survivor Continuation option

Additional Retirement Credit Purchase Options

• Buy additional Service Retirement Credit
• Service Credit for unused Sick Leave
• Buy additional Military Service Credit

Health Insurance

Medical:

• Kaiser HMO
• Blue Shield HMO
• Blue Shield PPO

Dental:

• Delta Preferred Option (DPO)
• Delta Care USA (DHMO)

Vision:

• Vision Service Plan (VSP)

Pre-Tax Benefits

Health benefits are offered on a pre-tax basis and employees cannot add or delete coverage or benefits unless a qualifying event has occurred.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Anthem EAP is paid for by the City.

• Available to all members of your household
• 6 free confidential counseling visits per incident
• Self-service support online or by phone

Disability and Life Insurances

The STD/LTD/LIFE and AD&D Lincoln Financial premiums are paid for by City.
Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance:

• First 90 days - benefits paid at 55% of weekly salary to a maximum weekly benefit of $700 for non-work related disability only
• Seven day waiting period unless hospitalized
• All sick leave must be exhausted before STD is used

Long-Term Disability Insurance:

• After 90 days - benefits paid at 66.7% of monthly salary to a maximum monthly benefit of $6,000 for any disability

Life and AD&D Insurance:

• 1 times annual base salary; minimum of
  $30,000 and maximum of $200,000 of Basic Life and AD&D

Voluntary Benefits

Benefits are employee paid
Supplemental Life Insurance through Lincoln Financial:

• Premiums are determined by age
• Purchased up to a maximum $500,000 for employees
• Spousal coverage up to half the employee amount
• Dependent coverage up to $10,000

Flexible Spending Accounts through BCC:

• Utilizes a debit card as a form of payment
• Health Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $3,400
• Dependent Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $7,500

Deferred Compensation - 457 through Empower:

• 457 - Maximum annual pre/post-taxed amount is $24,500 for 2026; over age 50 may contribute an additional $8,000

Hyatt Legal

• Telephone and office consultations are available for an unlimited number fo personal legal matters with an attorney of your choice.

GotZoom Student Loan Relief

• Provides a no-obligation benefit analysis for federal student loans to identify, maximize and enroll employees into Federal Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs.

ScholarShare 529

• An easy to manage plan that helps make the most of your or a designated beneficiary's college savings with tax benefits.

Leave Benefits

Vacation:
All accruals are based on 80 hours in a paid status

1 - 5 years: 3.58 hours

6 - 10 years: 5.12 hours
11 - 15 years: 6.65 hours

16 + years: 8.19 hours
Maximum accrual:

• 360 hours for those hired before 7/1/94
• 300 hours for those hired 7/1/94 or after

Holidays:

• Any statewide election day
• New Years' Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Lincoln's Birthday
• Washington's Birthday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• CA Admission Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Sick Leave:

• 12 days per year

Max accrual: Unlimited
Annual Sick Leave Pay Off:

Each calendar year an employee may elect to receive a 25% payment in lieu of sick leave provided such employee has used 32 hours or less of sick leave during the calendar year.
Sick Leave pay off at separation:

• Sick leave paid out depends on years of service and whether an employee retires or terminates

Bereavement Leave:

• Three days for death of employee's immediate family member
• Two additional days may be charged to sick leave upon approval

Tuition Reimbursement
Up to $2,000 per fiscal year
Bilingual & Notary

• $1.73 per hour for bilingual pay
• $ .58 per hour for notary pay

Uniforms

• Community Services Officers, Crime Prevention Specialists, Field Evidence Technicians, Senior Field Evidence Technicians/Trainee receive $700 annually
• Communication Supervisors, Public Safety Dispatchers, Public Safety Call Takers, Police Records Technicians, Senior Police Records Technicians receive $525 annually

Training Pay
For each full pay period worked as a trainer, nine hours of extra pay will be given to eligible positions as assigned.

Shift Differential Pay
5% for employees assigned to eligible schedules

Term of Compensation Plan

Effective July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026
This is a summary of available benefits. It is not intended to provide full details of all programs. The appropriate Memorandum of Understanding, Compensation Plan and/or Benefit Plan Documents will govern any discrepancies and provide program specifics.
01

Do you possess a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

02

Have you completed a PIQ with Oceanside Police Department within the past twelve (12) months?

• Yes
• No

03

Please describe your dispatching experience. Include the number of frequencies, number of vehicles per frequency and the minimum dispatch staffing per shift. If no direct experience, indicate how your past work experience can be applied to this position.
04

If you are bilingual, please state which languages and your degree of fluency.
05

Briefly describe the type(s) of radio/telephone receiving and transmitting equipment that you have used. Please indicate if the equipment was computer-aided or manual.
06

Please list any training, specialized courses, seminars or workshops that you have completed, and which would be useful to a dispatcher. Please specify date(s) of completion.
07

Are you willing to work overtime, varying shifts, weekends and holidays?

• Yes
• No

08

If your answer is "YES" to any of the following questions, you are not eligible for a Public Safety Dispatcher position.Have you ever been CONVICTED of a felony?

• Yes
• No

09

Have you ever been CONVICTED of Domestic Violence?

• Yes
• No

10

Do you have an Active Restraining Order?

• Yes
• No

11

Are you currently serving probation for any crime (misdemeanor or felony)?

• Yes
• No

12

Have you used illegal drugs, other than marijuana, in the past five (5) years?

• Yes
• No

13

Have you used any hallucinogens (mushrooms, LSD, peyote, mescaline, etc.) in the past fifteen (15) years?

• Yes
• No

14

Have you ever sol