PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER (LATERAL)

PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER (LATERAL)

Salary

$5,938.40 - $7,962.93 Monthly

Location

Torrance, CA

Job Type

Permanent Full-time

Job Number

26087305PSDL

Department

POLICE

Opening Date

08/10/2026

Closing Date

8/17/2026 2:44 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

DESCRIPTION

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.

____

The City of Torrance is recruiting for Public Safety Dispatchers!

The Department

The Torrance Police Department has been proudly serving the community of Torrance for over 100 years, and currently employs 227 sworn police officers and 128 civilian staff. The Torrance Police Department Public Safety Dispatchers serve as the primary link between the public, and the Police and Fire personnel.

The Division

The City of Torrance operates a Public Safety Communication Center under the Support Services Division, and is responsible for providing communications services to the Police and Fire Departments, including answering 911 and non-emergency telephone calls, dispatching public safety resources, and providing emergency medical dispatch services and 911 education to the public. The Communication Center is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment in order to provide the highest level of public safety service to the Torrance community.

The Position

Our Public Safety Dispatchers are an essential component to our overall mission of serving the citizens of our community. Dispatchers operate communication systems utilizing radio, telephone and computer equipment to receive emergency and non-emergency calls requesting Police and Fire services. They make critical decisions during urgent incidents in order to provide First Responders with real-time information to help them solve a variety of situations.

For a detailed job description, click here.

HOURS: Public Safety Dispatchers currently work three 12-hour shifts per week. Work shifts may be extended as needed. You must be available to work rotating shifts, including day, evening, graveyard, weekends and holidays.

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LATERAL INCENTIVE PROGRAM

The Public Safety Dispatch Lateral Transfer Program includes a transfer incentive in the amount of $1,500. Upon successful completion of the probationary period (12 months), employees will be credited with 72 hours of sick leave and 111.96 hours of vacation leave. A lateral-entry Public Safety Dispatcher is distinguished from entry-level Public Safety Dispatcher in that the lateral-entry Public Safety Dispatcher is required to have two (2) years of continuous employment as a Dispatcher or Communications Operator (in Police or Fire) within the last three (3) years.

QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

Education and Experience

Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge and skills required is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate. One year of experience in voice communications equipment or public contact work involving the use of communication equipment.

License and/or Certificates

Must obtain and maintain a valid California POST Public Safety Dispatch Certificate and Emergency Medical Dispatch Certificate within one (1) year of hire.

Ideal Candidate

In addition to the minimum requirements, a desirable candidate will possess:

• A customer service mindset with excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to remain calm, have a clear and controlled voice, think quickly and logically while working under pressure and exercise good judgment in potential emergency situations;
• Strong multitasking skills and the ability to learn quickly;
• Skill to operate a computer and keyboard to enter data provided verbally and in writing; and
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience as a Police, Fire or other emergency dispatcher involving computer-aided dispatching is desirable.

HOW TO APPLY & EXAM PROCESS

Interested candidates must submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire at www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs. Application submission will be accepted on a continuous basis until the positions are filled.

Only those candidates who best meet the City and Departments needs will be invited to participate in the examination process, which will consist of the following components:

California POST Entry Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery Written*: 40%

Panel Interview: 60%

Please note: Exam components will be scheduled on an as needed basis.

• SUBMITTING POST T-SCORES:
• The City of Torrance uses the California Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Entry Level Law Dispatcher Battery Written Test and will accept scores from other agencies within one year of the written test date. The passing T-score for the City of Torrance is 50. Candidates who have taken the POST Entry Level Law Dispatcher Battery examination at another agency and have received a T-score of 50 or higher within the last 12 months must attach a copy of their T-score to their employment application.
• POST allows candidates to test only once in a 30 day period. Applicants may not take the POST written test if taken with another agency within the last 30 days of the City of Torrance scheduled written test.

SPECIAL NOTES

Names of candidates will be retained on the eligible list for a period of three (3) months. Applicants may test for Public Safety Dispatcher only once in a six (6) month period.

Visit www.TorranceCA.Gov to find out more information about our community.

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (310) 618-2915 no later than five (5) business days before the test date. For further information, click here.

Candidates must pass each component of the exam process, as well as a thorough background investigation to be considered for hire. The background investigation will include job and personal references, arrest records, credit history, use of controlled substances, medical evaluations, and a polygraph.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

The City of Torrance offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. Benefits may 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 for Torrance Municipal Employees (AFSCME Local 1117) bargaining unit, visit: MOUs/Salary Resolutions - City of Torrance (torranceca.gov)

For additional information about the Citys benefits, visit: Employee Services - City of Torrance (torranceca.gov)

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.

01

The following supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes are encouraged but will NOT be used in lieu of the application or supplemental questions. Please read each question carefully and provide a thorough and complete response. Do NOT state "see resume" or "see application" to respond to any of the following questions. Failure to respond to all questions will be considered an incomplete application and may not be considered for further processing. Do you understand the foregoing?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03

Indicate the amount of full-time experience you possess in operating voice communication equipment or performing public contact work which involved the use of communication equipment (i.e. telephones, two-way radio, etc.).

• None
• Less than one year
• More than one year, but less than two years
• More than two years, but less than three years
• More than three years

04

Are you willing and available to work all rotating shifts, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you willing and available to work 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Day Shift)?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you willing and available to work 12 p.m. (Noon) to 10 p.m. (Swing Shift)?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you willing and available to work 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. (Graveyard Shift)?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you possess and maintain a POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate?

• Yes
• No

09

Do you possess and maintain an Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Certificate?

• Yes
• No

10

Indicate your years of work experience as a public safety dispatcher.

• None
• Less than one year
• More than one year, but less than two years
• More than two years, but less than three years
• More than three years

11

Indicate your years of full-time work experience dispatching other types of emergency units.

• None
• Less than one year
• More than one year but less than two years
• More than two years but less than three years
• More than three years

12

Briefly describe your dispatching experience. In your response, include the type of equipment used (i.e. telephones, two-way radio, etc.). If no experience, type "N/A".

13

Did your dispatching experience include the use of a computer-aided system?

• Yes
• No
• Not Applicable

14

Can you operate a computer keyboard by touch?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Torrance

Address 3231 Torrance Blvd.

Torrance, California, 90503

Phone 310-618-2915

Website http://www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs