Job Information

PLACENTIA, CITY OF
401 E. CHAPMAN AVE
PLACENTIA, CALIFORNIA 92870
7149938217
https://www.placentia.org/

Bookmark: http://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/fullJobDetails.cfm?agencyjobid=3093&jobid=6&agentid=847

Updated: October 24, 2025

THE CITY OF PLACENTIA IS NOW RECRUITING FOR THE POSITION OF PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER

Don't miss out on this exciting and rewarding opportunity to join the City of Placentia's Public Safety Communications Center! An eligibility list will be created from this recruitment to fill current and future vacancies.

This recruitment will be open continuously and may close at any time without advance notice. You are encouraged to apply immediately.

Under the direction of the Public Safety Communications Manager, the Public Safety Communications Dispatcher receives and processes all incoming emergency and non-emergency requests for police, fire, and medical help before dispatching the appropriate units.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

The following list of functions, duties, and tasks is typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform other closely related or department-specific functions, duties, and tasks from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Receives 911 emergency calls from the public for police and fire emergency services; evaluates information to determine the location of the emergency and the appropriate personnel and equipment needed to respond; gathers all pertinent information for responding units.

Dispatches emergency units on the computer-aided dispatch system (CAD)

Maintains contact with all units on assignment to determine status and location.

Contacts county and emergency management network agencies to provide information and coordinate call responses.

Operates computer, telephone, and radio console and telecommunication equipment simultaneously while performing dispatching activities.

Answer non-emergency calls for assistance, screens calls, and routes calls to the appropriate person or office.

Enters, updates, and retrieves police related data from computer and teletype networks and inputs a daily log of all calls field units were dispatched to or initiated.

Operates computer terminal, teletype, and radio unit to obtain or extract pertinent data.

Assists sworn field personnel by searching records and requesting information from other law enforcement agencies in conjunction with field investigations being carried out by department personnel.

Notifies appropriate coordinating agencies, such as Code Enforcement, Public Works, and other government and non-government entities, for response to various adverse incidents.

Responds to questions, complaints, and requests from the public in accordance with departmental procedures.

Compiles, tabulates, records, types, and checks statistical data.

Complete medical and fire trainings using the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) system.

OTHER DUTIES:

May be required to work overtime as needed.

May be required to work holidays, night shift, rotating shifts, etc.

Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit and the City.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

A High school diploma, GED, or equivalent is required. A college-level degree in criminal justice or a related field, such as communications, is preferred. One year of public contact work experience is required. Telephone or dispatch experience is preferred.

LICENSE(S) REQUIRED:

Valid, current driver’s license

This position does not typically require driving; however, the ability to use reliable transportation for occasional off-site duties may be necessary.

CERTIFICATIONS AND TESTING REQUIRED (Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year of appointment):

P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher’s Basic Course
National Testing Network (NTN) Examination, and obtain Emergency Medical and Fire Dispatch certification
Complete the Communications Center Training program
Complete required annual P.O.S.T. training and Continued Dispatch Education credits
CPR certification
California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) certification

RECRUITMENT PROCESS & EXAM REQUIREMENT
Applicants must file a concise and complete City application regarding their qualifications for the position online through the Human Resources Department webpage at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Placentia as soon as possible. Applications may be accompanied by a resume that describes experience, education, and training with the position's requirements; however, a resume will not be accepted as a substitute for a City employment application.

EXAM REQUIREMENT

The City of Placentia offers full testing services for the position of Public Safety Communications Dispatcher through National Testing Network (NTN). To register with NTN and schedule a test, go to www.nationaltestingnetwork.com, select 'Find Jobs', then select EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS Jobs and sign up for City of Placentia.

When you visit the www.nationaltestingnetwork.com website:

Complete the NTN registration process and schedule your test.
- Review all information related to the City of Placentia Public Safety Communications Dispatcher (Entry Level), including minimum requirements, salary, and benefits.
Review detailed information about the testing process.
Review the Frequently Asked Questions and take an online practice test (if desired).

Upon completion of your scheduled exam, scores are automatically forwarded to the City of Placentia. Candidates who attain a passing score on the entry level exam will be placed on a test pass list.

National Testing Network is a service provided to conduct entry level testing in a standardized, professional environment. National Testing Network does not replace the City of Placentia's responsibility and decision making in the testing process. All candidate results are provided to the City of Placentia where the final decisions are made.

The City of Placentia will contact candidates considered most qualified based on their education, training, and experience as shown on their application, who are on the NTN pass list, and invite them to participate in further stages of the selection process.

The selection process may include, but is not limited to, oral interviews and/or written exams, performance tests, and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment-eligible list from which hires may be made. The list is valid for up to one year, or until an insufficient number of candidates remain, unless exhausted sooner.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER:
Under California law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109), all City of Placentia employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers, (DSW). In the event of a catastrophic event, City of Placentia employees may be expected to fulfill emergency action assignments. As DSW's, employees may be assigned to assist in any disaster service activity that promotes the protection of public health and safety and preservation of lives and property.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Placentia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, other non-job related physical or mental disability, medical condition, or other functional limitation in employment or the provision of service. The City is committed to making its programs, services, and activities accessible to individuals with qualified disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations to complete the employment application and/or participate in the testing process, please reach out to the Human Resources Office at (714) 993-8141 before the filing deadline. We will attempt to accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request, as reasonably possible.

The City of Placentia's Drug-Free Workplace Policy requires that all applicants undergo substance abuse testing before employment.

The City of Placentia will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history, per the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the City is concerned regarding a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act/.

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