Salary: $30.21 - $51.47 Hourly
Location : City of Long Beach, CA
Job Type: Classified - Full-Time, Permanent
Job Number: J45AN-27A
Department: Disaster Preparedness & Emerg Communications - (CL)
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
DESCRIPTIONApplications are available online beginning November 6, 2026. Filing will remain open until vacancies are filled. Filing may close without further notice.SALARY INFORMATION: Grade I - $30.216 - $41.034 Hourly
Grade II - $32.565 - $44.278 Hourly
Grade III - $35.120 - $47.693 Hourly
Grade IV - $37.881 - $51.476 Hourly
VACANCY INFORMATION:This is an entry-level position. Candidates electing to take the National Testing Network (NTN) Emergency Communications exam can apply to this posting.
Additional information can be found below.
If you have a POST Dispatcher T-Score of 50.8 within the last 12 months, apply to the
PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER I-IV - 9-1-1 DISPATCHER (ENTRY LEVEL - POST EXAM) HERESome positions in this classification qualify for a Recruitment Incentive of up to $5,000. For more information on the City of Long Beach's Recruitment Incentive Program, please click hereEXAMPLES OF DUTIESUnder general supervision, receives and dispatches emergency (911) calls for police or fire and emergency medical service; enters data into personal computer while questioning callers for information; determines nature, validity and disposition of calls; may provide post-dispatch medical instructions; utilizes computer-generated messages and priorities to dispatch field units to emergency situations; operates a variety of communications equipment including radio transmitters, accessories and telephones; performs call reception and dispatch activities utilizing computer-assisted dispatch system; answers or refers inquiries and complaints regarding a wide variety of public safety and related matters; accesses, retrieves, and transmits vehicular or personal information to field units; relays relevant situational information to non-city enforcement or public safety agencies; may provide training for dispatchers and participate in evaluation of their performance; may act in a variety of dispatch supervisory positions; performs other related duties as required.
REQUIREMENTS TO FILE- MUST BE WILLING TO WORK: Any shift assignment in the Police or Fire Departments and mandatory holidays, weekends, and overtime.
- MUST BE ABLE TO: Handle a high volume of emergency calls with tact, good judgment, initiative, and speed; question callers while simultaneously typing information into a computer terminal (multitasking); speak English clearly and understandably; comprehend, interpret, and retain written and orally presented information effectively, i.e., read, memorize, interpret, and apply policies and procedures, State Penal Code, FCC regulations, charts, and maps.
- Ability to demonstrate keyboarding skills at 35 wpm. Keyboarding Certificate Information: Applicants must have a Keyboarding Skill Certificate from an approved government, employment or training agency recognized by the Human Resources Department and obtained within the last 12 months (proof required)*.
Effective April 1, 2020, the Human Resources Department will continue to accept and receive keyboarding skills certificate from an approved government, employment or training agency recognized by the Human Resources Department and obtained during the past 12 months; this will also include an online keyboarding skills certificate** for the position of Public Safety Dispatcher. (**via a 5-minute typing test).
- Ability to pass a thorough background investigation and polygraph examination conducted by the Long Beach Police Department. The investigation will cover information about relatives, references, acquaintances, education, residential history, employment history, criminal history, military service records, financial status, legal history, drug use, and related areas. Please clickfor more information.
- Must not have any felony convictions (you must not have been convicted of any crime punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiary).
*Required documents, such as a keyboarding certificate, must be uploaded to the online application at the time of filing. Any proof submitted must contain either the applicant's name or other identifying characteristics on the form.DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:Bilingual skills in English/Spanish or English/Southeast Asian languages, experience or training as an emergency communications operator, dispatcher, or similar position requiring knowledge of emergency medical or public safety operations, experience dealing with the public in a service-related capacity, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD), or California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Public Safety Dispatcher Basic (or above) certificate.
SELECTION PROCEDURE EXAMINATION WEIGHTS:Application Packet..............................Qualifying
Performance Examination (Video-Based)**.......Qualifying
**The Public Safety Dispatcher performance examination consists of the National Testing Network (NTN) Emergency Communications Test titled ECOMM. Applicants must schedule a testing date through
nationaltestingnetwork.com. In order to complete the application process, candidates must take the NTN exam and complete the online application.
A minimum rating of 70 must be attained in order to pass the performance examination.
PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER - POST WAIVER APPLICANTS: The National Testing Network (NTN) performance examination will be waived for candidates who have taken the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery (POST Dispatcher Test) examination with an approved agency and achieved a T-score of 50.8 or above within one year of the time of filing
(proof required)*. Applicants submitting the POST Dispatcher Test examination score must complete the application for Public Safety Dispatcher-POST WAIVER.This is a continuous examination. All applicants meeting the minimum requirements to file will be placed on the eligible list, with those receiving Veteran's Credit and Local Hiring Preference first, and then in the order in which applications were filed. Eligible lists may be established periodically.
In accordance with Civil Service Procedure 3.38, all eligible veterans who successfully qualify on any or all open-competitive examinations shall receive an additional credit of ten (10) points that will be added to their original passing score. Disabled veterans passing the examination shall receive a credit of fifteen (15) points that will be added to their original passing score. (A copy of the veteran's DD-214, Member 4 form indicating honorable discharge must be attached to the application at the time of filing.)
This position is eligible for Local Hiring Preferences and Veterans Preference Points. Learn more about available preferences and eligibility criteria here:
If you have not received notification within two weeks of filing, please contact the Human Resources Department at (562) 570-7008. Employee BenefitsThe City of Long Beach offers its employees opportunities to grow personally and professionally. As a permanent employee, you are eligible to receive fringe benefits that include:
•
Medical and Dental Insurance•
Life Insurance•
Retirement Plan (P.E.R.S.)•
Paid Vacation, Personal Holidays and Sick Leave•
Deferred Compensation•
Credit Union Membership•
Free Bus Transportation (Long Beach Transit)•
Flexible Spending Accounts•
Free Employee Parking•
Paid Parental Leave**Paid Parental Leave - after six (6) months of City employment; up to 30 calendar days (160 hours/192 hours for sworn platoon) of PPL, taken in full-day increments, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of seventeen (17).
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INSTRUCTIONS The purpose of the supplemental questions is to derive more specific information about your qualifications for this position. Applicants must clearly demonstrate their qualifying experience on the job application. It is to the candidate's advantage to read each question carefully, clearly answer all questions and document all job-related education, training and experience as required.
Do you understand the information stated in the "INSTRUCTIONS" section above?
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NATIONAL TESTING NETWORKHave you completed the Emergency Communications Test titled ECOMM examination?
NOTE: Completion of the Emergency Communications Test titled ECOMM examination is required. Applicants are encouraged to visit the website nationaltestingnetwork.com for more information and to schedule a testing date as soon as possible. - Yes, I have taken the Emergency Communications Test titled ECOMM.
- No, I am scheduled to take the Emergency Communications Test titled ECOMM.
- No, I have not yet scheduled the Emergency Communications Test titled ECOMM.
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If you answered
NO to question #2, you must make sure that your NTN results are sent to the City of Long Beach through the NTN website as soon as possible. Do you understand the information above?
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Applicants who have taken the
POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery (POST Dispatcher Test) examination with an approved agency and achieved a T-Score of 50.8 or above within one year of this application (
proof required), may waive the NTN written examination. Are you requesting to waive the performance examination because you have taken the POST Dispatcher Test examination with an approve agency and achieved a T-Score of 50.8 or above within one year of the time of this application?
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If you answered "YES" to the question above,
STOP FILLING OUT THIS APPLICATION and complete the application for
PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER - POST WAIVER.Do you understand the information above?
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REQUIREMENTS TO FILEAre you willing to work any shift assignment in the Police or Fire Departments and work mandatory holidays, weekends and overtime?
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Are you able to handle a high volume of emergency calls with tact, good judgment, initiative and speed?
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Are you able to question callers while simultaneously typing information into a computer terminal?
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Are you able to speak English clearly and understandably?
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Are you able to comprehend, interpret, and retain written and orally presented information effectively? (i.e., read, memorize, interpret, and apply policies and procedures, State Penal Codes, FCC regulations, charts, and maps)
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Are you able to demonstrate keyboarding skills at 35 WPM? Applicants must have a Keyboarding Skill Certificate from an approved government, employment, or training agency recognized by the Civil Service Department and obtained within the last 12 months
(proof required)*. 12
To the best of your knowledge are you able to pass a thorough background investigation, polygraph examination, and psychological evaluation conducted by the Long Beach Police Department.
(The investigation will include information regarding relatives, references, acquaintances, educational background, residential history, employment history, military service records, financial status, legal history, drug use and related areas).
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BODY MODIFICATION INFORMATIONBe advised that any intentional tattoos, bra
