Public Safety Dispatcher

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.

The City of Torrance recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to the City of Torrance today.

The City of Torrance is recruiting for Public Safety Dispatchers to be part of the Torrance Police Department team!

The Department

The Torrance Police Department has been proudly serving the community of Torrance for over 100 years, and currently employs 227 sworn police officers and 128 civilian staff.  The Torrance Police Department Public Safety Dispatchers serve as the primary link between the public, and the Police and Fire personnel.

The Division

The City of Torrance operates a Public Safety Communication Center under the Support Services Division, and is responsible for providing communications services to the Police and Fire Departments, including answering 911 and non-emergency telephone calls, dispatching public safety resources, and providing emergency medical dispatch services and 911 education to the public.  The Communication Center is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment in order to provide the highest level of public safety service to the Torrance community.

The Position

Our Public Safety Dispatchers are an essential component to our overall mission of serving the citizens of our community.  Dispatchers operate communication systems utilizing radio, telephone and computer equipment to receive emergency and non-emergency calls requesting Police and Fire services.  They make critical decisions during urgent incidents in order to provide First Responders with real-time information to help them solve a variety of situations.

For a detailed job description, click here.

HOURS: Public Safety Dispatchers currently work three 12-hour shifts per week.

 Work shifts may be extended as needed. You must be available to work rotating shifts, including day, evening, graveyard, weekends and holidays.

LATERAL INCENTIVE PROGRAM

The Public Safety Dispatch Lateral Transfer Program includes a transfer incentive in the amount of $1,500.  Upon successful completion of the probationary period (12 months), employees will be credited with 72 hours of sick leave and 111.96 hours of vacation leave.

 A lateral-entry Public Safety Dispatcher is distinguished from entry-level Public Safety Dispatcher in that the lateral-entry Public Safety Dispatcher is required to have two (2) years of continuous employment as a Dispatcher or Communications Operator (in Police or Fire) within the last three (3) years. Education and Experience

Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge and skills required is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate.  One year of experience in voice communications equipment or public contact work involving the use of communication equipment.

License and/or Certificates

Must obtain and maintain a valid California POST Public Safety Dispatch Certificate and Emergency Medical Dispatch Certificate within one (1) year of hire.

Successful candidates will possess:

• A customer service mindset with excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

• Ability to remain calm, have a clear and controlled voice, think quickly and logically while working under pressure and exercise good judgment in potential emergency situations;

• Strong multitasking skills and the ability to learn quickly;

• Skill to operate a computer and keyboard to enter data provided verbally and in writing; and

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience as a Police, Fire or other emergency dispatcher involving computer-aided dispatching is desirable.Interested candidates must submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire at www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs. Application submission will be accepted on a continuous basis until the position(s) is/are filled.

 First review of applications will be those received by January 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.  If a sufficient number of qualified applications are received by the first review date, there is the possibility that the recruitment may close at that time.

Only those candidates who best meet the City and Department's needs will be invited to participate in the examination process, which will consist of the following components:

California POST Entry Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery Written*: Weighted 40% (Tentatively scheduled on January 10, 2024)

Panel Interview: Weighted 60% (Tentatively scheduled on January 31, 2024)

Please note: Exam components will be scheduled on an as needed basis.

• SUBMITTING POST T-SCORES:
• The City of Torrance uses the California Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Entry Level Law Dispatcher Battery Written Test and will accept scores from other agencies within one year of the written test date.  The passing T-score for the City of Torrance is 50.  Candidates who have taken the POST Entry Level Law Dispatcher Battery examination at another agency and have received a T-score of 50 or higher within the last 12 months must attach a copy of their T-score to their employment application.  
• POST allows candidates to test only once in a 30 day period.  Applicants may not take the POST written test if taken with another agency within the last 30 days of the City of Torrance scheduled written test.

Names of candidates will be retained on the eligible list for a period of six (6) months. Applicants may test for Public Safety Dispatcher only once in a six (6) month period.

In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between TME-AFSCME and the City of Torrance, new employees covered under that memorandum shall become members in good standing and pay the required service fee to said Local.

Visit www.TorranceCA.Gov to find out more information about our community.

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources prior to the examination date(s). If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (310) 618-2915 prior to the test date.  For further information, click here.

Candidates must pass each component of the exam process, as well as a thorough background investigation to be considered for hire. The background investigation will include job and personal references, arrest records, credit history, use of controlled substances, medical evaluations, and a polygraph.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

City of Torrance Inclusion Statement

The City of Torrance is a welcoming and culturally-rich community. As a pillar of public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a talented workforce where people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, religions, and lifestyles are valued. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and contribute towards making a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and works towards building collaborative teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. Come join us to help cultivate a workplace that welcomes and celebrates the diversity of our employees!