Dispatcher - Entry Level Elk Grove

Are you looking for a new and exciting career? The City of Elk Grove Police Department is seeking highly motivated individuals with the ability to multi-task for an opportunity to create a challenging and rewarding career as a Dispatcher. The ideal candidate values our diverse community and is committed to providing quality, efficient services in both routine and emergency situations. 

What's the best part?   Prior Dispatch experience is not required for this position, and on-the-job training will be provided!   Oh, and did you see those benefits?

Why wait?  Join Team Elk Grove Today!  

Tentative Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)
Filing Deadline:                        September 20, 2026, by 11:59pm
Exam Period:                           September 22 - 28, 2026 (online, please plan accordingly)
Oral Board Interviews:          October 12 - 13, 2026 (In Person)
Selection Interviews:            October 27 - 28, 2026 (In Person)

The CritiCall assessment is composed of multiple modules, each measuring a key skill required for successful performance as a dispatcher. Candidates are required to meet the established passing standard for each module in order to move forward in the selection process.

Community Profile

Elk Grove is a vibrant, family-friendly community of approximately 178,124 people in the Sacramento, California region, located 14 miles south of the State Capital and 60 miles east of the Bay Area. Elk Grove is a young, ethnically diverse, modern city that was incorporated in 2000. Elk Grove has low crime, excellent schools, over 100 community parks and 28 miles of trails, plentiful dining and shopping options, numerous annual events and festivals, and over 270 sunny days per year. 

Representative Duties

Under general supervision, performs a variety of duties involved in receiving, evaluating, prioritizing, and relaying 9-1-1, emergency, and non-emergency calls for service; inputs calls into computer system; dispatches appropriate units and coordinates response of emergency personnel; operates a variety of telecommunications equipment including radio, telephone, and computer aided dispatch systems; and performs a wide variety of specialized clerical duties involved in the preparation, maintenance, and release of materials related to law enforcement activities.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
Dispatcher – Entry Level:  Incumbents of this class receive training in department policies, procedures and specialized computer systems through an on the job training program. Generally, the assigned Dispatch Trainer demonstrates skills/tasks while providing instruction and evaluating the trainee’s ability to apply instruction received in a variety of working situations. Typically, the training period will last in excess of six months and may also include classroom instruction. While a background in similar tasks/duties may be helpful to the incumbent, direct experience in a police dispatch related environment is not necessary. 

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Receives, classifies, and prioritizes all incoming calls and texts to the dispatch center including 9-1-1 calls, emergency, and non-emergency calls received from citizens and allied agencies requesting service or information; operates a variety of public safety communications equipment including 9-1-1 emergency telephone equipment, computer aided dispatch systems, and multi-channel radio system.
2. Evaluates response necessary as dictated by a given request for service; determines nature, location, and priority of calls; operates computer aided dispatch system to create calls for service within response criteria guidelines; assigns and dispatches personnel in accordance with policies and procedures; transfers calls to other appropriate agency in accordance with established procedures; obtains and dispatches other support services as necessary.
3. Maintains contact with all units on assignment; maintains status and location of field units; monitors multiple radio frequencies; relays emergency and non-emergency information to public safety personnel in the field.
4. Retrieves and interprets information from local, state, and national computer networks regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, restraining orders, criminal histories, parolees, and other related information; relays information to officers in the field.
5. Operates computer terminals to enter, modify, and retrieve data such as stolen and recovered property, towed and stolen vehicles, missing and unidentified persons, citations, , driver license and vehicle registration information, and warrants on wanted persons; composes and transmits messages to other agencies.
6. Enters and removes data and information from various local, statewide, and national law enforcement computer systems including the Records Management System (RMS), Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), and National Crime Information Center (NCIC); provides support to officers by gathering information from various computer systems including DMV, CLETS, and the County’s KPF system.
7. Monitors public security cameras and alarms for City facilities, parking lots, and related facilities.
8. Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications

 The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a public safety telecommunications and dispatch center.
• Operational characteristics of modern public safety telecommunications equipment including computer aided dispatch systems and multi-channel radio systems.
• Law enforcement and emergency service procedures for responding to and handling reported incidents.
• Techniques of questioning for both emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Methods and techniques of receiving, prioritizing, and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Radio codes currently used by the Elk Grove Police Department.
• Functions of the Police Department and other City departments.
• Geographic features and locations within the area served.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Methods and techniques of telephone etiquette.
• Methods and techniques of conflict resolution.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.

• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Effectively communicate and elicit information from upset and irate callers.
• Speak clearly and concisely in an understandable voice via radio and telephone and in person.
• Hear and distinguish radio voice traffic within normal levels and over background noise.
• Make independent decisions that affect the safety of public safety personnel, citizens, and property such as those involved in determining the urgency of requests received and the appropriate action to take.
• Dispatch police units quickly and effectively.
• Think quickly, calmly, and clearly in emergency situations.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Operate a variety of telecommunications receiving and transmitting equipment including radio transmitting communication equipment, teletype equipment, and computer equipment.
• Operate specialized public safety computer systems and applications.
• Read and interpret maps and other navigational resources and give directions.
• Type and enter data accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Work under pressure, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Interpret, apply, and explain applicable federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws, codes and regulations including police records retention and dissemination policies and procedures.
• Maintain composure, alertness and concentration while working for extended periods of time.
• Compile, maintain, process, and prepare a variety of records and reports.
• Deal tactfully and courteously with the public reporting emergencies and seeking information or filing a report.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Criticall Test: Must pass online Criticall test with at least 3400 KPH (keystrokes per hour) and an 85% overall score. The test link will be supplied to the applicant during the application process.

• Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire.
• Incumbent will need to pass a background investigation which may include a polygraph, psychological and medical evaluation.
• Entry Level Dispatchers must serve an 18-month probationary period.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed in an emergency services dispatch center setting with extensive public contact; incumbents are required to work evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts; incumbents may be called back or held over to maintain staffing levels.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an emergency dispatch center setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Martin RIVERA