City of La Palma, CA
Police Dispatcher/Clerk (Experienced)
City of La Palma, CA, La Palma, California, United States, 90623
Salary :
$65,319.07 - $83,365.53 Annually Location :
La Palma, CA Job Type:
Full time Job Number:
2025-0017 Department:
Police Department Opening Date:
09/25/2025 Closing Date:
10/12/2025 12:00 AM Pacific
Description
This recruitment is to fill (1) one current vacancy. Effective July 1, 2024, new hires will receive a hiring bonus of $10,000.00. This bonus will be paid in three installments:
1. $4,000.00 will be paid on the first paycheck following the Employee's hire.
2. $3,000.00 will be paid on the first paycheck after successfully completing the Employee's probationary period.
3. $3,000.00 will be paid the first paycheck after forty-two (42) months of continued employment as a Police Dispatcher/Clerk. The incumbent will enjoy a family environment and be a part of an enthusiastic work force that has its own spirit committee that facilitates monthly employee events. The incumbent will thrive working in this small culture environment allowing them to grow their knowledge, experience, resume, and prepare them for advancement by introducing them to a variety of law enforcement related projects and responsibilities. If you want to join a hard-working team that shares a commitment to keep the City of La Palma safe, clean, and efficiently run, consider a career with the City of La Palma. Come be a part of our family and see what makes La Palma a nice place to live and work! Click here: Performs a variety of routine clerical, administrative and technical work in receiving and dispatching routine and emergency information; keeps official records and assists in the administration of the standard operating policies and procedures of the dispatch center; performs related duties as required.
This class is distinguished from the Police Records Clerk by its primary responsibility for receiving and dispatching emergency calls.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: City of La Palma applications are required and can be obtained online at www.cityoflapalma.org. The Human Resources Office must receive completed applications, resumes, and supplemental questionnaires (if required) by the final filing date and time listed to be eligible for consideration. Facsimiles will not be accepted. Resumes will not, nor will references to a resume, be accepted in lieu of a completed City application. References to a resume on the application form may disqualify the application.
SELECTION PROCESS: All applications will be screened and those candidates who present the most relevant qualifications and possess the required licenses and certificates for the position will be invited to continue in the selection process. The selection process may include testing and oral interviews.
A Background Investigation, including a criminal record check may be required prior to any offer of employment. All appointments are subject to the successful completion of a post-offer medical exam (including a drug and alcohol screen).
Should a qualified individual with disabilities need reasonable accommodations in order to participate in the examination process, the City of La Palma must be notified no later than five working days prior to the scheduled examination date.
The City of La Palma does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, marital status, or disability. Equal employment opportunity will apply to all personnel actions, including but not limited to, recruitment, selection, training, transfers, promotions, evaluation, compensation, discipline, layoffs, terminations, and rehires.
NOTE: All employees of the City of La Palma are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health, and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours, and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.
The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contributions toward benefit costs, are subject to change. Scope of Work and Examples of Duties
Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Monitors telephones, CCTV and radio in the dispatch center, answers all incoming calls and ascertains nature of call, gathers all necessary information to transmit or relay; greets and directs public at counter; accepts bail and prepares documents for release of stored and impounded vehicles.
Dispatches police and other response vehicles for emergency responses; broadcasts nature, location and time of incident; contacts all required personnel and other local concerns such as the fire department in the event of an emergency situation.
Conducts record checks; sends, receives and decodes teletype information; monitors jail calls for emergencies or security problems; monitors, receives and sends information via the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System.
Maintains records of radio and telephone communications, location of personnel and equipment; in the event of an emergency situation, maintains on going contact with the responding personnel and keeps them informed of all incoming pertinent information; keeps track of various information such as traffic lights out and streets closed and keeps emergency personnel informed.
Maintains dispatch center work area and equipment in clean and orderly condition; operates radios as needed and assists in radio communications; operates base radio as required; operates office machines as required
Composes, types, and edits correspondence, reports, memoranda, and other material requiring judgment as to content, accuracy, and completeness; inputs data to standard office and department forms, both manual and automated; makes simple postings to various reports; compiles and tabulates data; maintains dispatch documents and records including entering and retrieving data from CAD system and other records systems.
Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: proper operation of telephone, standard voice radio receiving and transmitting equipment and burglar alarm reception equipment; correct English usage, spelling, punctuation and grammar; modern office practices, procedures, methods and equipment; techniques to elicit information from upset citizens.
Ability to: communicate clearly, concisely orally and in writing; learn standard broadcasting procedures and rules associated with the operation of a law enforcement communications network; learn to operate computer-aided dispatch and records management systems quickly and accurately; understand and follow oral and written instructions; perform a variety of routine clerical tasks efficiently and with little supervision; operate computerized dispatch equipment quickly and accurately; learn public safety classification codes and computer commands; handle irate and upset citizens effectively; think and act quickly and calmly in emergency situations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, staff, the public and those contacted in the course of the work; provide a high level of customer service.
Education and/or Experience
Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Example combinations include equivalent to graduation from high school and one year of public customer service contact and / or radio dispatch work. Physical Demands & Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment described here 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 functions.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The noise level in the work environment ranges from quiet to moderately noisy. The City offers a highly competitive compensation package which is dependent upon qualifications. The City's attractive benefits package includes the following: Retirement
- The City offers the CalPERS 2% at 62 formula for new CalPERS members.; OR 2% at 60 formula for existing CalPERS members with less than a six-month break in service from another CalPERS or CalPERS reciprocal agency. Employees are responsible for paying the full Employee contribution through payroll deduction. Additional details on the City's retirement plan will be provided to candidates during the job offer process. For further information about CalPERS, please contact CalPERS directly. The City does not participate in Social Security except for the mandatory Medicare Program. Medical Insurance
- The City contracts with CalPERS to offer medical insurance to employees and their eligible dependents. The City provides a monthly health benefit allowance to be used toward monthly health insurance premiums are currently $922.49 Employee Only, $1,411.49 Employee + 1, $1,670.49 Employee + 2. Wellness Program
- All employees and their dependents are enrolled in a confidential Employee Assistance Program. Dental Insurance
- The City provides dental coverage for employees and their eligible dependents. The City pays 100% of the premium and has a reimbursement program (up to 30%) for crowns. Vision Insurance
- The City has a vision care reimbursement program (up to $400) per employee and their eligible dependents per fiscal year. Life Insurance
- The City provides $100,000 in basic group term life insurance for employees with additional coverage for eligible dependents. Employees may purchase additional coverage by participating in AFLAC plans. Disability Insurance
- The City provides short and long term disability insurance coverage with the City paying 100% of the premium. Flexible Spending Accounts
- The City currently offers a flexible spending account plan through which employees may set aside pre-tax dollars for a wide variety of eligible non-reimbursable medical expenses for themselves or their eligible dependents and/or eligible dependent care expenses. Additional Insurance Opportunities
- The City contracts with AFLAC to provide additional health, dental, and life insurance coverage, as well as many other reimbursable plans. Employees may set up these accounts as pre-tax dollars. Deferred Compensation Accounts
- The City offers employees the option to defer pre-tax earnings through the ICMA-RC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan; contributions are at the employee's discretion. Retiree Health Benefits
- The City contributes the minimum Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA) contribution, currently $416 per month, toward retiree medical insurance for retirees who elect to continue their CalPERS medical coverage into retirement. The City does not offer retiree dental or vision coverage. Holidays
- Ten (10) paid fixed holidays and 32 hours of paid floating holiday time annually are provided. Employees are required to use either floating holiday time, vacation time, or compensatory time to facilitate a holiday closure between Christmas and New Years. Vacation
- Full-time employees entering service after July 1, 2011, earn 80 hours of annual vacation leave per year and can accrue a total balance of 120 hours, increasing incrementally after 5 years of service. Sick Leave
- 96 hours per year and can accrue a total balance of 760 hours. Professional Achievement Program
- Police Dispatchers are eligible to receive a 2.5% of base salary for an Associate of Arts Degree; and 5% of base salary for a Bachelors Degree.
Special Assignment Pay
- Communications Training Officer receives $150 per month. Bilingual Pay - The City offers employees the opportunity to test once per year for bilingual accuracy. After successfully passing an interactive test, the employee will receive $150/month. Testing is renewed biannually in order to continue receiving the stipend.
Work Hours - Non-Safety Dispatchers full-time employees work a four day work week/10 hour work days; Non-Safety full-time employees work a four day work week/10 hour work days, a 40 hour work week, Monday - Thursday. 01
Have you ever been convicted of any crime other than minor traffic violations?
Yes No
02
If you answered yes, please describe the crime(s) for which you were convicted the date(s) upon which you were convicted, and each jurisdiction in which you were convicted. The specific statue(s) or ordinance(s) must be listed. (Please note: You may exclude any convictions which have been legally expunged or sealed. Conviction is not an automatic bar to employment, each case is considered on its own merits). 03
Are you currently released on bail or on your own recognizance for any crime other than minor traffic violations?
Yes No
04
If you answered yes,, please describe the crime(s) for which you were charged, the date(s) upon which you were charged, and each jurisdiction in which you were charged. 05
Have you ever been arrested or detained by a Law Enforcement agency where charges were not filed?
Yes No
06
If you answered yes, please describe the crime(s) for which you were detained or arrested for, the date(s) upon which the incident occurred, and each jurisdiction you were detained or arrested by. 07
How many years of emergency Dispatch experience do you have?
less than 1 year 1 - 3 years 4 - 6 years 7 or more years
08
Do you have Spillman CAD System experience? If so, please indicate how many years you have been using this system.
Yes No
09
Have you ever been enrolled in a California public retirement system?
Yes No
10
If yes, please list the name(S) of the California public retirement system(S) (e.g. CalPERS, PARS, CalSTRS, etc.) 11
If you are no longer contributing toward a California public retirement system, please indicate when you separated membership. Required Question
$65,319.07 - $83,365.53 Annually Location :
La Palma, CA Job Type:
Full time Job Number:
2025-0017 Department:
Police Department Opening Date:
09/25/2025 Closing Date:
10/12/2025 12:00 AM Pacific
Description
This recruitment is to fill (1) one current vacancy. Effective July 1, 2024, new hires will receive a hiring bonus of $10,000.00. This bonus will be paid in three installments:
1. $4,000.00 will be paid on the first paycheck following the Employee's hire.
2. $3,000.00 will be paid on the first paycheck after successfully completing the Employee's probationary period.
3. $3,000.00 will be paid the first paycheck after forty-two (42) months of continued employment as a Police Dispatcher/Clerk. The incumbent will enjoy a family environment and be a part of an enthusiastic work force that has its own spirit committee that facilitates monthly employee events. The incumbent will thrive working in this small culture environment allowing them to grow their knowledge, experience, resume, and prepare them for advancement by introducing them to a variety of law enforcement related projects and responsibilities. If you want to join a hard-working team that shares a commitment to keep the City of La Palma safe, clean, and efficiently run, consider a career with the City of La Palma. Come be a part of our family and see what makes La Palma a nice place to live and work! Click here: Performs a variety of routine clerical, administrative and technical work in receiving and dispatching routine and emergency information; keeps official records and assists in the administration of the standard operating policies and procedures of the dispatch center; performs related duties as required.
This class is distinguished from the Police Records Clerk by its primary responsibility for receiving and dispatching emergency calls.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: City of La Palma applications are required and can be obtained online at www.cityoflapalma.org. The Human Resources Office must receive completed applications, resumes, and supplemental questionnaires (if required) by the final filing date and time listed to be eligible for consideration. Facsimiles will not be accepted. Resumes will not, nor will references to a resume, be accepted in lieu of a completed City application. References to a resume on the application form may disqualify the application.
SELECTION PROCESS: All applications will be screened and those candidates who present the most relevant qualifications and possess the required licenses and certificates for the position will be invited to continue in the selection process. The selection process may include testing and oral interviews.
A Background Investigation, including a criminal record check may be required prior to any offer of employment. All appointments are subject to the successful completion of a post-offer medical exam (including a drug and alcohol screen).
Should a qualified individual with disabilities need reasonable accommodations in order to participate in the examination process, the City of La Palma must be notified no later than five working days prior to the scheduled examination date.
The City of La Palma does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, marital status, or disability. Equal employment opportunity will apply to all personnel actions, including but not limited to, recruitment, selection, training, transfers, promotions, evaluation, compensation, discipline, layoffs, terminations, and rehires.
NOTE: All employees of the City of La Palma are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health, and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours, and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.
The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contributions toward benefit costs, are subject to change. Scope of Work and Examples of Duties
Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Monitors telephones, CCTV and radio in the dispatch center, answers all incoming calls and ascertains nature of call, gathers all necessary information to transmit or relay; greets and directs public at counter; accepts bail and prepares documents for release of stored and impounded vehicles.
Dispatches police and other response vehicles for emergency responses; broadcasts nature, location and time of incident; contacts all required personnel and other local concerns such as the fire department in the event of an emergency situation.
Conducts record checks; sends, receives and decodes teletype information; monitors jail calls for emergencies or security problems; monitors, receives and sends information via the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System.
Maintains records of radio and telephone communications, location of personnel and equipment; in the event of an emergency situation, maintains on going contact with the responding personnel and keeps them informed of all incoming pertinent information; keeps track of various information such as traffic lights out and streets closed and keeps emergency personnel informed.
Maintains dispatch center work area and equipment in clean and orderly condition; operates radios as needed and assists in radio communications; operates base radio as required; operates office machines as required
Composes, types, and edits correspondence, reports, memoranda, and other material requiring judgment as to content, accuracy, and completeness; inputs data to standard office and department forms, both manual and automated; makes simple postings to various reports; compiles and tabulates data; maintains dispatch documents and records including entering and retrieving data from CAD system and other records systems.
Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: proper operation of telephone, standard voice radio receiving and transmitting equipment and burglar alarm reception equipment; correct English usage, spelling, punctuation and grammar; modern office practices, procedures, methods and equipment; techniques to elicit information from upset citizens.
Ability to: communicate clearly, concisely orally and in writing; learn standard broadcasting procedures and rules associated with the operation of a law enforcement communications network; learn to operate computer-aided dispatch and records management systems quickly and accurately; understand and follow oral and written instructions; perform a variety of routine clerical tasks efficiently and with little supervision; operate computerized dispatch equipment quickly and accurately; learn public safety classification codes and computer commands; handle irate and upset citizens effectively; think and act quickly and calmly in emergency situations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, staff, the public and those contacted in the course of the work; provide a high level of customer service.
Education and/or Experience
Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Example combinations include equivalent to graduation from high school and one year of public customer service contact and / or radio dispatch work. Physical Demands & Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment described here 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 functions.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The noise level in the work environment ranges from quiet to moderately noisy. The City offers a highly competitive compensation package which is dependent upon qualifications. The City's attractive benefits package includes the following: Retirement
- The City offers the CalPERS 2% at 62 formula for new CalPERS members.; OR 2% at 60 formula for existing CalPERS members with less than a six-month break in service from another CalPERS or CalPERS reciprocal agency. Employees are responsible for paying the full Employee contribution through payroll deduction. Additional details on the City's retirement plan will be provided to candidates during the job offer process. For further information about CalPERS, please contact CalPERS directly. The City does not participate in Social Security except for the mandatory Medicare Program. Medical Insurance
- The City contracts with CalPERS to offer medical insurance to employees and their eligible dependents. The City provides a monthly health benefit allowance to be used toward monthly health insurance premiums are currently $922.49 Employee Only, $1,411.49 Employee + 1, $1,670.49 Employee + 2. Wellness Program
- All employees and their dependents are enrolled in a confidential Employee Assistance Program. Dental Insurance
- The City provides dental coverage for employees and their eligible dependents. The City pays 100% of the premium and has a reimbursement program (up to 30%) for crowns. Vision Insurance
- The City has a vision care reimbursement program (up to $400) per employee and their eligible dependents per fiscal year. Life Insurance
- The City provides $100,000 in basic group term life insurance for employees with additional coverage for eligible dependents. Employees may purchase additional coverage by participating in AFLAC plans. Disability Insurance
- The City provides short and long term disability insurance coverage with the City paying 100% of the premium. Flexible Spending Accounts
- The City currently offers a flexible spending account plan through which employees may set aside pre-tax dollars for a wide variety of eligible non-reimbursable medical expenses for themselves or their eligible dependents and/or eligible dependent care expenses. Additional Insurance Opportunities
- The City contracts with AFLAC to provide additional health, dental, and life insurance coverage, as well as many other reimbursable plans. Employees may set up these accounts as pre-tax dollars. Deferred Compensation Accounts
- The City offers employees the option to defer pre-tax earnings through the ICMA-RC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan; contributions are at the employee's discretion. Retiree Health Benefits
- The City contributes the minimum Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA) contribution, currently $416 per month, toward retiree medical insurance for retirees who elect to continue their CalPERS medical coverage into retirement. The City does not offer retiree dental or vision coverage. Holidays
- Ten (10) paid fixed holidays and 32 hours of paid floating holiday time annually are provided. Employees are required to use either floating holiday time, vacation time, or compensatory time to facilitate a holiday closure between Christmas and New Years. Vacation
- Full-time employees entering service after July 1, 2011, earn 80 hours of annual vacation leave per year and can accrue a total balance of 120 hours, increasing incrementally after 5 years of service. Sick Leave
- 96 hours per year and can accrue a total balance of 760 hours. Professional Achievement Program
- Police Dispatchers are eligible to receive a 2.5% of base salary for an Associate of Arts Degree; and 5% of base salary for a Bachelors Degree.
Special Assignment Pay
- Communications Training Officer receives $150 per month. Bilingual Pay - The City offers employees the opportunity to test once per year for bilingual accuracy. After successfully passing an interactive test, the employee will receive $150/month. Testing is renewed biannually in order to continue receiving the stipend.
Work Hours - Non-Safety Dispatchers full-time employees work a four day work week/10 hour work days; Non-Safety full-time employees work a four day work week/10 hour work days, a 40 hour work week, Monday - Thursday. 01
Have you ever been convicted of any crime other than minor traffic violations?
Yes No
02
If you answered yes, please describe the crime(s) for which you were convicted the date(s) upon which you were convicted, and each jurisdiction in which you were convicted. The specific statue(s) or ordinance(s) must be listed. (Please note: You may exclude any convictions which have been legally expunged or sealed. Conviction is not an automatic bar to employment, each case is considered on its own merits). 03
Are you currently released on bail or on your own recognizance for any crime other than minor traffic violations?
Yes No
04
If you answered yes,, please describe the crime(s) for which you were charged, the date(s) upon which you were charged, and each jurisdiction in which you were charged. 05
Have you ever been arrested or detained by a Law Enforcement agency where charges were not filed?
Yes No
06
If you answered yes, please describe the crime(s) for which you were detained or arrested for, the date(s) upon which the incident occurred, and each jurisdiction you were detained or arrested by. 07
How many years of emergency Dispatch experience do you have?
less than 1 year 1 - 3 years 4 - 6 years 7 or more years
08
Do you have Spillman CAD System experience? If so, please indicate how many years you have been using this system.
Yes No
09
Have you ever been enrolled in a California public retirement system?
Yes No
10
If yes, please list the name(S) of the California public retirement system(S) (e.g. CalPERS, PARS, CalSTRS, etc.) 11
If you are no longer contributing toward a California public retirement system, please indicate when you separated membership. Required Question