Communications Dispatcher Trainee

This position will receive a 4% COLA increase effective the first full pay period after July 1, 2026.

APPLICATION FILING PERIOD

This recruitment is set to close on Sunday, July 12, 2026.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

is currently enrolled in or has completed the POST-certified Public Safety Dispatcher course at a Police Academy

has previous experience in a Dispatcher role with a law enforcement agency

has completed an Associate Arts Degree or higher with a criminal justice emphasis or related field of study

is able to work rotating nights, weekends, and holiday shifts with no guaranteed set schedule

Applicants who meet the qualifications will be invited to participate in the orientation and written and oral examinations. The following test date is tentative and may be subject to change:

Mandatory Orientation (Virtual)

Thursday, July 30, 2026 *

Written Exam (In-Person)

Saturday, August 1, 2026**

*Candidates invited must attend the virtual orientation to be considered for the position, regardless of possessing a valid T-Score. Candidates will receive a link to the orientation in a separate email upon invitation.

**If you have taken the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery within 1 year of our testing date and passed with a minimum T-Score of 42, you can submit your T-Score results letter in lieu of participating in the written exam. T-Score result letters should be submitted by email to or as an attachment with your online application. If your test results are more than 1 year from our testing date, your submitted T-Score will not be accepted, and you will need to participate in the scheduled written test date. If you have tested or are scheduled to test with another agency within 30 days of our test date, please email and advise of the agency and test date, as POST does not allow a candidate to test more than once within a 30-day period.

POSITION

Under direct supervision from a Dispatch Training Officer, Lead Communications Dispatcher, or Communications Supervisor, receives and completes Communication Dispatcher training in accordance with the City of Monterey Park Dispatcher Training Program; attends and completes the POST-certified Public Safety Dispatcher course at a Police Academy to fulfill requirement for appointment as a Communications Dispatcher. Depending on assignment, duties may include but are not limited to the following: receives formalized classroom training at a Police Academy and on-the-job training to learn practices, procedures, and techniques of public safety dispatching. Under general supervision, receives and transmits routine and emergency police and fire messages by telephone system, voice radio, and alarm signals; works an assigned shift; and performs related duties as required. Upon successful completion of the 18-month probationary period, the incumbent selected will be promoted to Communications Dispatcher at the designated salary range.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This class reports to an assigned Dispatch Training Officer, Lead Communications Dispatcher, or Communications Supervisor.

**Trainees must satisfactorily complete the Monterey Park Dispatcher's Training Program and the POST-Certified Public Safety Dispatcher course within the prescribed 18-month probationary period. Communications Dispatcher Trainees who do not successfully complete all phases of training will be automatically terminated from employment.**

This is a 24 hours-a-day/7 days-a-week emergency operation – most shift schedules include working part or all of weekends. Possible shift assignments may include nights, weekends, and holidays. During the on-the-job training, it is necessary to change shifts/days/hours in conjunction with your trainer.

Visit our careers page at to view the class specification and essential functions of the position.

QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from high school or attainment of GED or equivalent is required.

A typing certificate (40 WPM, issued within 1 year of the application date) from an accredited business school, adult school, or employment agency is required a time of application.

Associate of Arts Degree desired.

One (1) year of experience in customer service is desired.

One (1) year of police-related experience is highly desirable.

Completion of a POST Certified Dispatch Academy is highly desirable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

office practices and procedures;

operation of various office equipment including computers and typewriters;

and Windows software.

Skilled in:

organization;

initiative;

and self motivation.

Ability to:

type at a speed of 40 wpm while conversing on the telephone or radio;

monitor multiple police frequencies;

control conversations, quickly gathering pertinent and relevant information;

hear multiple conversations simultaneously and reacting when appropriate;

learn and apply police practices, codes, rules, policies, and procedures quickly and to interpret them correctly;

learn and apply basic radio and telephone communications;

write legibly, spell, comprehend & communicate effectively in English;

understand, retain and repeat both simple and complex oral and written communication;

follow written and verbal instructions;

work calmly under extremely stressful situations;

shift to new tasks and procedures when priorities change;

work rapidly and accurately with names, numbers, codes and symbols;

take initiative to read and understand street maps, learn and retain a workable knowledge of cities, roadways, landmarks and geography of the city;

exercise good judgment;

have a memory for details;

recognize and keep information confidential;

establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;

work in confined quarters for extended periods of time;

gain cooperation and cooperate with others promoting a positive & cooperative work atmosphere.

PHYSICAL EFFORT: Those in this position may be required to sit at a computer terminal for extended periods of time.

LICENSES: A valid Class 'C' California Driver License is required at time of appointment and as a condition of continued employment

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

OBTAINING A TYPING CERTIFICATE

Some of the City's positions require applicants to provide a typing certificate to demonstrate the minimum typing requirement. Certification may be in the form of a certificate, letter, or test results form that must clearly state the following:

1. Name of the issuing agency. Acceptable agencies are a government agency, an employment agency, a business college, an adult school, or a public school system. Internet typing tests will not be accepted.

2. Date of the typing test. The typing test must be dated within one year of the final filing date of the flyer.

3. Five-minute timed test with net speed.

4. Applicant's name.

Certificates that do not include all the above information may disqualify the applicant from the selection process.

The following agencies are examples of acceptable issuing agencies and administer typing tests to the public:

Glendora Employment Agency

203 S. Glendora Ave., Suite C, Glendora

– Appointment Required

$20 Fee (Cash Only) $22.50 (Card)

Photo I.D. Required

Monday- Friday 9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Olympic Staffing Services

588 S Grand Ave,

Covina, CA 91724

$20 Fee, Walk-In

Monday- Friday

8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M

Foothill Workforce Development Board

1207 East Green Street

Pasadena, CA 91106

(626) 796-JOBS

8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

Free by Appointment Long Beach City College

4901 E Carson St

Long Beach, CA 90808

M-R 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Free Walk-In

NOTE: New hire candidates must show proof of full Covid vaccinations prior to being hired.

Applicants with legal disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact the Human Resources Department at least five (5) days prior to the examination date.

APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE COMMUNICATION THROUGH EMAIL ONLY. Applicants should be diligent in checking their email and spam/junk mail after the deadline, as all notices regarding their status in the current recruitment will be emailed.