Fire Dispatcher I

Fire Dispatcher I

Salary

$70,158.40 - $94,016.00 Annually

Location

City of Anaheim, CA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026-00174

Department

Fire & Rescue

Opening Date

08/10/2026

Closing Date

8/31/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The City of Anaheim seeks qualified Fire Dispatcher I candidates to experience the challenging and rewarding work of a joint powers authority fire dispatch center. The dispatch center, Metro Cities Fire Authority serves seven agencies in Orange County. Incumbents are responsible for performing a wide variety of routine to skilled dispatch activities. Fire Dispatchers will utilize a Computer Aided Dispatch system to receive, screen and respond to incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for fire medical assistance; dispatch appropriate units and maintain necessary communication with units during their response to calls; and perform a variety of clerical, record keeping and general support duties related to communications activities.

This classification must be able to work assigned shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime when needed. 5% differential to base pay for night shifts

An ideal candidate will have:

• California P.O.S.T.-certified Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course Certificate.
• Current Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification from the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch.
• Current Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED Certificate.
• Have the flexibility to respond to unexpected/emergency shifts within 60 minutes or a reasonable amount of time.
• Knowledge or entry level experience operating a computer terminal and office equipment.
• The ability to exercise good, independent judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• The ability to effectively communicate with and elicit information from distressed and irate callers and communicate emergency medical instructions.
• The ability to multitask.

The resulting eligible list may be used to fill current and future Part Time Fire Dispatcher I. The Part Time Fire Dispatcher I position is designated to average 30 hours per week with no minimum number of hours guaranteed. Please visit the following link www.myanaheimbenefits.com for more information regarding part time benefits.

Essential Functions

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

Using a CAD system and a computerized emergency telephone system, receive emergency calls from the public requesting fire services; determine nature and location of emergency, determine priority and dispatch fire units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures.

Using an 800 megahertz (MHz) radio system, maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of additional fire units and dispatch as appropriate.

Answer non-emergency calls for assistance; dispatch as required.

Test and inspect equipment as required.

Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work.

Perform duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications

Fire Dispatcher I

Experience and Training: An equivalent combination of experience and training sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Ability to: Learn to effectively operate a radio, telephone and computer-aided dispatch system; speak clearly and precisely; exercise good judgment; make sound decisions in emergency situations; effectively communicate with and elicit information from callers; identify geographic features and streets through the use of maps; learn department procedures and policies; operate keyboard and other office equipment quickly, accurately and, at times, concurrently; keyboard at a net-corrected minimum speed of 35 words per minute; understand and follow oral and written instructions; learn a wide variety of classification codes and computer commands; spell accurately; maintain accurate and complete files and records, establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Certification: Possession of an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification from National Academies of Emergency Dispatch is highly desirable and a EMD certification is required by completion of probation.

Supplemental Information

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION

Applications will be accepted until August 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applications will not be accepted after this deadline.

Performance Exam - The performance exam is a computer-based work simulation test that measures the general aptitudes needed to be a dispatcher. No prior dispatch experience is necessary to pass the test. For additional information regarding the performance exam review, please visit their website: CritiCall Candidate Resources

Performance Exam Waiver Request - CritiCall exams taken with other agencies, including Anaheim Police Department (APD) will not be accepted. CritiCall modules can vary from agency to agency.

Performance Exam Scoring - This is a pass/fail exam. The test module scores are weighted to account for correct responses to the decision-making scenario prompts. Applicants must pass all test modules to successfully complete the performance exam and move to the oral panel interview.

Further selection steps include a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol screening, psychological evaluation, and background investigation. The interview with the background investigator and completion of the background investigation will include, but is not limited to, verification and evaluation of any present and/or past use of drugs, driving and employment history.

Please review the following common disqualifiers. If any items listed pertain to you, you will be automatically disqualified in the background investigation. You may, at this time, want to screen yourself and withdraw prior to starting the recruitment process.

• Any illegal use, sales, or possession of a drug classified as an opiate (heroin, opium, etc.) or PCP.
• Any use of cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens (GHB, MDMA/ecstasy, ketamine, etc.) within five years of date of application.
• Any illegal use of anabolic steroids within three years of date of application.
• A pattern or history of irresponsibility as evidenced by debt collections, civil judgments, failure to pay, late payments, etc.
• Two or more at-fault traffic collisions within three years of the date of application.
• Conviction of a hit-and run offense.
• Any drivers license suspension within five years of date of application.
• Conviction of a felony crime.
• Conviction of any misdemeanor crime within five years of application.
• Any conviction as an adult, of any misdemeanor crime involving domestic violence, sexual-related offenses or crimes against children.
• Any conviction as an adult, of a theft or larceny crime.

The following may result in disqualification:

• Use of cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens (GHB, MDMA/ecstasy, ketamine, etc.) previous to five years of application.
• Prior nitrous oxide use.
• Illegal use of anabolic steroids previous to three years of application.
• Illegal use of a hypodermic needle/ syringe.
• A bankruptcy within the past three years of date of application.
• More than one moving violation in the past 12 months, and/or three or more moving citations within the past three years, and/or five or more moving citations within the past five years of date of application.

The eligibility list established from this recruitment may also be used to fill the current and/or additional Full Time and Part Time vacancies throughout the Department.

Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Anaheim offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefits amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.

To view the current benefits summary, visit: https://www.anaheim.net/DocumentCenter/View/30970/Benefits-Summary-Full-Time

For additional information about the Citys benefits, visit: www.myanaheimbenefits.com

RETIREMENT BENEFITS - The City contracts with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) to provide retirement benefits. Retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS.

Note: Pension contribution limitations are set by CalPERS each calendar year, with compensation limit requirements for Public Employee Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) members and Classic members. Employee contributions will be deposited into a 401(a) account after reaching this limit. Employees with CalPERS membership dates prior to July 1, 1996 are not impacted by these limits.

To view the current limits and additional CalPERS information, visit:

https://www.anaheim.net/DocumentCenter/View/4783/CalPERS-Rates

01

Candidates will be evaluated based on their application and responses to the following Supplemental Questions. Failure to fully detail or state all experience to the Supplemental Questions and/or the application, copy/pasting information, or responses referring to your resume may eliminate you from consideration. Do you understand this requirement? I acknowledge I have read and understood the above information.

• Yes
• No

02

This recruitment will yield an eligible list for both Part Time and Full Time Fire Dispatcher I vacancies. The Part Time position is designated to average 30 hours per week with no minimum number of hours guaranteed. Please state which type of position you are interested in.

• Full Time Only
• Part Time Only
• Both Part Time and Full Time

03

Do you have knowledge or entry level experience operating a computer terminal and office equipment?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) Certification? If yes, you must attach a copy of your certificate of completion to your application.

• Yes
• No

05

Have you attended and/or completed a California P.O.S.T.-certified Public Safety Dispatchers Basic Course? If yes, you must attach a copy of your certificate of completion to your application.

• Yes
• No

06

Do you possess a valid Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED Certificate? If yes, you must attach a copy of your certificate of completion to your application.

• Yes
• No

07

Do you possess any public safety dispatching work experience?

• Yes
• No

08

If yes, what type of public safety dispatching experience do you possess?

• None
• Fire Agency
• Ambulance Company
• Police Agency
• Other

09

Describe in detail any public safety dispatching experience. Please include in your response the employer name, years of experience and duties you performed. If none, type N/A.

10

Along with excellent English communications skills, please list any other language(s) which you are fluent in. If none, type N/A.

11

Are you willing and able to work this schedule? a) You will be required to work shifts, weekends, and/or holidays regularly. b) You may be required to work all holidays in a given time period. For instance, your workdays may fall on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. c) Your shifts may be assigned as needed and while in training your shifts and hours will be assigned. d) You may be required to change your work shift and/your days off, or cancel holiday plans with minimal notice. e) There may be times you will be mandated to work overtime, required to stay late, or come in on your time off.

• Yes
• No

12

Are you willing and able to work in all of these conditions? a) Depending on the workload, there will be times when you will be unable to leave your work site during your shift. b) You may be unable to schedule your own lunch and you may be required to eat at your workstation. c) You will be unable to smoke inside the building. d) This position, located in the Fire Department, has a para-military work environment. You may be required to wear standardized apparel and work through a structured "chain of command." e) Employees may experience periods of very slow activity followed by periods of very intense activity. You must be able to fully concentrate and focus your attention no matter what is happening at the time. f) There is little control over the workload or space. g) You must be able to accept a daily critique of your job performance and modify your actions accordingly. h) You must be able to work in a small, confined work area for your entire shift.

• Yes
• No

13

Are you willing and able to work in all of these additional conditions? a) You must efficiently handle multiple tasks at one time. b) One or more persons safety may depend on your ability to make quick, logical, accurate decisions. c) You must answer and respond to telephone calls in which the caller is difficult to understand. d) You will be required to wear a headset for your entire shift. e) You must keep calm during critical incidents. This means that you must also keep your voice well modulated and somewhat monotone to convey a sense of calm. f) You must attend mandated training classes, even if they are on your normal days off.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Anaheim

Address 201 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 501

Anaheim, California, 92805

Phone 714-765-5111

Website http://www.anaheim.net/jobs