Applications are not being accepted for this position at this time. If you would like to be placed on the Dispatcher interest list and notified of the next hiring process, please contact Recruiting at
(510) 238-3339 or e-mail opdjobs@oaklandnet.com.
Agencies Offering Typing Certification
Under the general supervision of a Police Communications Supervisor or Sergeant of Police, Police Communications Dispatchers receive and transmit routine and emergency telephone and radio voice messages, dispatch required equipment, perform responsible clerical work of moderately high difficulty, operate complex teletype and video terminals for automated information retrieval, and receive and direct all other "9-1-1" calls.
Police Communications Dispatchers receive approximately one year of training on-the-job and must attend a POST- certified basic dispatcher course. During training, working hours and days off vary. After successful completion of training, dispatchers are eligible to draw for permanent shift assignment, based on seniority. New dispatchers are often assigned the 3 p.m. - 11 p.m. shift or the 11 p.m. - 7 a.m. shift, including weekends and holidays. There is a 12-month probationary period. Dispatchers may be scheduled to work any of three shifts in a 24-hour period; may be required to work a schedule with rotating days off; and often work weekends, holidays, and overtime as required by emergencies or Departmental needs.
Typical duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Age
Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
Education
High School diploma or G.E.D.
Experience
Two years of recent full-time responsible work experience. College education may substitute for experience on a year for year basis.
Typing Certification
This position requires a minimum, accurate typing speed of 35 net words per minute. Candidates must submit a current typing certificate to the Office of Personnel by the date of their oral interview. The typing verification must be obtained from a recognized educational institution, employment agency, or other organization approved by the City of Oakland. The typing certificate must be based on a five minute typing test. The words per minute shall be determined by subtracting the number of errors from the words per minute. The report should include the total gross words per minute typed, the total number of errors, and the total net words per minute typed. This certificate must be issued within the past 12 months. A list of agencies offering typing certificates is provided at the end of this announcement. Copies of typing certificates will be accepted if the original certificate is presented to Personnel staff at the time of submission. Applicants who have not submitted a current typing certificate by their scheduled interview time will be eliminated from the process.
After being hired, Dispatchers must pass the P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatcher course as a condition of continued employment.
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity.
The first stage in the selection process is the completion of an application packet containing a:
The application packet must be obtained from the City of Oakland Office of Personnel at 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612 either in person or by mail by the applicant's submitting a letter of request with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Although a copy of the job announcement and supplemental questionnaire are available at www.oaklandnet.com (click on “City Jobs”), the Sigma scantron application is not available via the Internet. Applications submitted without all required materials will not be given further consideration.
After submission, the application packets will be reviewed to determine that candidates meet all the minimum requirements although this review will not guarantee advancement in the selection process.
Suitably qualified candidates will be notified of the date, time, and location for the written exam. This multiple-choice examination is developed by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and is designed to measure verbal ability, reasoning ability, ability to remember facts and details, ability to compare letters and numbers quickly and accurately, and other related abilities.The test will take approximately four hours. Candidates must achieve a scale score of 70 on the written exam to proceed in the process.
An “Examinee Guide” is available from the Office of Personnel or from the POST website (www.post.ca.gov).
The written exam may be waived for candidates who have taken the POST Entry Level Dispatcher test within the last 12 months. Qualified applicants must submit a completed test score verification form, which can be obtained from the Office of Personnel.
Candidates who pass the written exam will be mailed an Oral Board Interview appointment notification and a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ). The PHQ is an 11- page document that is completed by all candidates prior to their background investigation and submitted at check-in before their scheduled Oral Board Interview. In addition, candidates must submit a current typing certificate to the Office of Personnel by their scheduled interview time.
The Oral Board Interview is designed to evaluate job-related skills and abilities such as oral communication, emotional control, maturity and integrity, teamwork, and interpersonal sensitivity. In addition to general questions, candidates will be presented with hypothetical scenarios and asked to explain how they would respond to each situation. Candidates must achieve a scale score of 70 on their interview to be placed on the eligibility list for employment consideration, subject to successful completion of the remaining stages in the selection process. Candidates who earn placement on the eligibility list will be certified in order of their rank (determined by their score on the written exam, weighted 66.6%, and their interview, weighted 33.3%.
This stage of the selection process will consist of the departmental screening and selection, including a background suitability assessment and pre-offer psychological assessment. The background investigation includes an extensive interview regarding the contents of the PHQ and verification of that information by the Department contacting references, friends, family, former employers, and other contacts. In addition, checks of criminal records, driving records, and credit will be conducted. Candidates may be required to submit to a polygraph exam in connection with the background investigation. Unfavorable information revealed during this stage is grounds for rejection or discharge during the selection process.
If a conditional job offer (CJO) is made, this final phase of the selection process includes an assessment of the candidate for compliance with the Police Department medical and psychological standards. Any remaining background issues will be resolved during the post-offer phase. Character-related information discovered during this phase may be grounds for revocation of the CJO and removal from hiring consideration. In addition, the City Physician will evaluate each candidate to determine his or her ability to meet the physical demands of the job. The medical exam includes a drug-screening test.
In compliance with the Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1986, the City of Oakland will only hire individuals who are legally authorized to work in the U.S.
In compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations, the City of Oakland will employ and promote qualified individuals without regard to disability. The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must do so no later than five working days after the final filing date for receipt of applications; otherwise it may not be possible to arrange accommodations for the selection process. Requests should be address to D. Jacquelyn Edwards, Office of Personnel, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612-2019 or call (510) 238-3112 or TDD (510) 238-6930
The City of Oakland is an EEO/ADA Employer.
Applications are not being accepted for this position at this time. If you would like to be placed on the Dispatcher interest list and notified of the next hiring process, please contact Recruiting at
(510) 238-3339 or e-mail opdjobs@oaklandnet.com.
Dispatcher Orientation
A panel of Oakland Police Dispatchers will be available to provide insights into and answer questions about working as a dispatcher. Anyone interested in becoming an emergency dispatcher is invited to attend although attendance is not mandatory for hiring consideration.
Dates to be announced. Please check this site frequently for updated information.
Oakland Police Department Auditorium
455 7th Street, ground floor
Oakland, CA 94607
Dates to be announced. Please check this site frequently for updated information.
For more information regarding the selection process or scheduled events, contact:
Oakland Police Department Recruiting Unit
250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite D
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-238-3339 Fax: 510-238-6425
Agencies Offering Typing Certification
Western Staff Services1814 Franklin, Suite 900 |
Leffall Employment Agency 7700 Edgewater Drive, Suite 255A |
Diversified Personnel Services 501 14th Street, Suite 900 |
ActOne (I) 1970 Broadway Avenue, Suite 300 |
Ascot Temporary Services 1939 Harrison, Suite 150 |
Oakland Adult Day School 705 International Blvd. (corner of 8th Ave) |
Certified Personnel 1970 Broadway, Suite 910 |
Berkeley Adult Day School 1222 University Avenue |
ADECCO (Previously Olsten) 1000 Broadway, Suite 248 |
Community Colleges/Adult Schools Certificate will be accepted if it meets the criteria described below. |