What are the responsibilities and job description for the Police Dispatcher II position at City of San Bernardino, CA?
Why Join Team SB
Join the City of San Bernardino Police Department as a Police Dispatcher II and make a difference in the community!
About the City:
As a future member of our team, you’ll be joining a city with deep roots, cultural diversity, and exciting momentum. Located in the heart of Southern California’s Inland Empire, San Bernardino is the county seat and largest city in San Bernardino County, home to more than 222,000 residents. Its rich history — shaped by Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences — continues to inspire the city’s evolving identity.
San Bernardino offers access to major transit corridors, natural beauty, and a wide range of housing and lifestyle options. It’s a place where public service careers are supported by a strong sense of community and purpose — and where motivated professionals can grow, contribute, and be part of something meaningful.
About the Position:
Police Dispatcher II is the full journey-level class in the class series. The work requires independence, rapid responses and ability to handle the most difficult and demanding calls. This position will require working a varied work shift that includes evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Qualified candidates must successfully complete a police background investigation as part of the pre-employment exams.
What You'll Be Doing Here
The Ideal Candidate:
- Remains calm, composed, and focused under pressure while handling multiple emergency calls and rapidly changing situations.
- Communicates clearly, professionally, and with empathy to gather accurate information from callers and relay critical details to field units.
- Demonstrates strong multitasking skills and the ability to prioritize effectively in fast-paced, high-stress environments.
- Exercises sound judgment and quick decision-making when evaluating situations and determining the appropriate response.
- Provides excellent customer service, showing patience and understanding when assisting distressed or upset individuals.
- Works collaboratively as part of a dedicated team, supporting fellow dispatchers and law enforcement personnel to ensure efficient operations.
- Pays close attention to detail and maintains accuracy when entering and managing information in dispatch and computer systems.
- Is proficient with computers, radio systems, and other dispatch technology, adapting quickly to new software and procedures.
- Shows a strong sense of responsibility, integrity, and commitment to public safety and serving the community with professionalism.
A Day in the Life:
As a Police Dispatcher II, your day is fast-paced and filled with purpose. Throughout the day, dispatchers handle a steady flow of 911 calls—listening carefully, gathering key details, and coordinating police responses. They stay calm under pressure, provide reassurance to callers, and relay critical information to officers in the field. Between emergencies, they monitor radio traffic, update reports, and assist teammates. Each shift ends with the satisfaction of knowing their quick thinking and communication helped keep the community safe.
What You Need to Qualify
Education, Training and Experience:
High School diploma or G.E.D.
AND
At least one (1) year of customer service experience working with the public in person, by telephone or in radio communications; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Police Dispatcher I may be considered for advancement to Police Dispatcher II after demonstrating proficiency to perform the full range of duties of the latter class as described in established performance criteria. Typically, a Police Dispatcher I is expected to be capable of meeting the proficiency criteria within a 12-month period, depending on an individual's prior experience and progression in performing the full range of Police Dispatcher II duties.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
Successful completion of P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher course is required within 12 months of date of employment. Peace Officers currently employed at the San Bernardino Police Department who have satisfactorily completed a one-year probation may submit a copy of the P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate in lieu of completing the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Course.
Knowledge of:
Operations, services and activities of a public safety dispatch program.Rules, regulations and procedures relating to Police communications and dispatch, including FCC requirements.
Methods and techniques of evaluating situations to dispatch appropriate units.
Proper operation and care of radio and telephone equipment.
Customer service practices and telephone and radio courtesy.
Geography and street layout of City and surrounding area.
Modern office procedures, methods and equipment, including computers and related software;
Ability to:
Elicit information to assess situations from callers, many of whom are upset and distressed and not communicating clearly.Determine dispatch priorities during peak workloads and dispatch appropriate personnel and equipment using mature judgment in the application of policies, rules, regulations and standard operating procedures.
Broadcast clear, concise and specific instructions over the radio in a distinct, well-modulated voice.
Work rapidly under stress and exercise good judgment in emergency situations.
Use a typewriter and computer keyboard with accuracy.
Read and apply mapping information for effective call and unit management.
Listen to and record, or key in, information clearly and accurately.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Perform routine maintenance of computer systems and accessories.
Operate a variety of office equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
Understand and carry out detailed oral and written instructions.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with dispatch co-workers, department and City officials, sworn officers, the public and others encountered in the course of work.
Recruitment Timeline
This recruitment will close on Sunday, November 30, 2025, or until a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Applications Review: Week of Monday, December 1st, 2025
**All dates are subject to change at the discretion of the personnel officer**
How to Apply and What to Expect Next
All applicants are required to submit an online application through the City’s official website at www.sbcity.org. This recruitment will remain open until November 30, 2025 or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.
Applications must be fully completed and clearly demonstrate that the minimum qualifications for the position are met. All information provided is subject to review, investigation, and verification. While resumes may be uploaded as supplemental documentation, they will not be accepted in place of a fully completed City application.
Following the initial screening, the most qualified candidates whose backgrounds best match the needs of the City will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement. Candidates will remain under consideration until a final selection is made, and an offer is accepted. The City of San Bernardino reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time and may determine that none of the applicants, including those who meet the minimum qualifications, are suitable for the position.
Pre-Employment Process may include, but is not limited to:
- Application Review
- Written Exam
- Personal History Statement and Pre-Background Interview Questionnaire Packets
- Oral Exam
- Background Investigation with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Background Investigation with Investigator
- Pre-employment Medical Exam, including drug test
- Psychological Evaluation
- Employment/Professional Reference Check
E-Verify Participation
The City of San Bernardino participates in the E-Verify program. In compliance with federal law, all employers are required to verify the identity and employment eligibility of individuals hired to work in the United States.
Accordingly, the City will provide information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm authorization to work in the United States.
For more information about E-Verify, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website at www.uscis.gov
DisclaimersIn compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Each request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department directly at 909-998-2060.
This bulletin is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract, expressed or implied. Its contents may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice.
The San Bernardino Police Department is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is free of all forms of discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment and retaliation (Government Code §12940(k); 2 CCR 11023).
For questions regarding this recruitment, contact Stephanie Rivera at rivera_es@sbcity.org. Additional information is available at www.sbcity.org.