Lateral Police Dispatcher (20771818)

Job Description

The Foster City Police Department is seeking a dedicated and highly skilled individual to join our team as a Lateral Police Dispatcher. This position receives police and emergency calls and dispatches police units following prescribed procedures; answers non-emergency calls for public safety and other City departments; performs a variety of general administrative support duties including record keeping, typing, and filing; and performs related work as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education : Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Experience : One (1) year of experience working with radio and computer equipment in the field of law enforcement, fire, or medical dispatching.

It is desirable, but not a requirement, that the applicant for this position have the ability to type no less than 40 net words per minute. The typing certificate must but be certified and dated within the last 12 months of application.

This recruitment is seeking experienced individuals who possess a Basic POST Dispatcher Certificate.

Physical Demands
Must possess mobility to work in a centralized communication operations environment, using public safety emergency services equipment including computer-aided dispatch systems, telephones, radios, and other communication devices, as well as standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone and radio. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Performance of the work frequently requires positions to remain at a workstation for extended periods of time. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

To review the full job announcement click on the "Foster City Lateral Police Dispatcher Flyer" below.

Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed for relevant education, experience, training and other job related qualifications. Based upon a review of employment applications received, a limited number of the qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the examination process.

The process will consist of an Oral Panel Interview. An eligibility list will be established from those who pass the examination process with a score of 70% or higher. Current and future vacancies may be filled from this list. The list will remain in effect for at least one year unless exhausted sooner.

The department will invite the most qualified candidates from the eligibility list to a final department interview. The Police department will make the hiring decision.

Expected Dates for Examinations (subject to change):
Oral Panel Interview: TBD
Department Interview: TBD

Note: Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee that a candidate will be invited to participate in the selection process. The City of Foster City reserves the right, at its discretion, to limit the number of qualified candidates invited to the selection process.

Application Filing Period: Closes at 5:00pm on the date stated in the job announcement; however, it may close prior to the filing end date if sufficient applications have been received. If sufficient applications have not been received, then the filing period end date may be extended.

Job PDF:

https://www.calopps.org/sites/default/files/Foster%20City%20Lateral%20Police%20Dispatcher%20Flyer.pdf

Closing Date/Time: 10/9/2026 at 5pm or until 40 applicants