Job Description
Salary : $76,119.48 - $92,523.84 Annually
Location : Novato, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-29
Department: Police
Opening Date: 10/01/2025
Closing Date: 11/2/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Description Come Join Our Team !
THE CITY OF NOVATO IS RECRUITING
FOR DISPATCHER Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 2, 2025 Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
DEFINITION Receives, screens, and responds to incoming emergencies and non-emergency calls for police assistance. Dispatches appropriate units and maintains necessary communication with units during their response to calls. Performs a variety of clerical, recordkeeping and general support duties related to communications activities.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED - Receives general supervision from the Technical Services Supervisor.
- When serving as a Communications Training Officer, may supervise dispatcher trainee.
Example of Duties ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS - Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential Functions: - Receive 9-1-1 emergency calls from the public requesting police or other emergency services; determine nature and location of emergencies, determine priority and dispatch emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures.
- Maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of police field units using the police radio and Computer Aided Dispatch system.
- Answer non-emergency calls for assistance, answer maintenance service emergencies on weekends and holidays.
- Coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement agencies.
- Enter, update and retrieve information from teletype networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information.
- Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work; maintain a variety of logs relating to public safety activities.
Marginal Functions: - Assist with matron duties including searching apprehended suspects; perform fingerprinting activities for the public.
- Test and inspect equipment as required.
- Appear in court to present evidence and testimony in connection with criminal prosecution.
- Trains new employees in dispatching procedures, techniques, and methods, as well as relevant department policies and regulations.
- Promotes community policing; attends community meetings; and participates in community-based events and programs.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
Typical Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge of : - Principles, practices, and procedures of emergency communications for police.
- Local geography, including street, highways, and public facilities.
- Standard radio broadcasting procedures and rules.
- Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
- Modern record-keeping techniques and office procedures, practices and equipment.
Ability to : - Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Operate dispatch, teletype and other office equipment.
- Interpret state and federal communications and department regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Exercise good judgment, remain calm, and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
- Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
- Learn to operate a computerized public safety communication system.
- Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
- Deal courteously and effectively with the public
- To organize, communicate, and work cooperatively with diverse communities.
- Comprehend and accurately give directions
- Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Work various shifts as assigned.
- Work effectively in high stress environments.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Experience and Training - Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
Experience: Although no law enforcement or public safety experience is necessary for this entry-level position, the candidate must demonstrate the life-experience and problem-solving skills necessary to achieve a satisfactory score from assessors on the initial interview panel.
Two years of responsible police support dispatch experience is highly desirable.
Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Though not required, completion of some college is desirable.
Proof of education is a copy of one of the following: A high school diploma, a college degree, a high school transcript, a college transcript or, if applicable, or GED certificate.
License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, P.O.S.T. Dispatcher Certification.
Additional Information Working Conditions Environmental Conditions: Dispatchers work within a communications center, with multiple consoles and monitoring equipment.
Dispatchers use various technologies including phone systems, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems, mapping systems, and radio communication equipment.
Dispatchers may handle a high volume of calls and must make quick decisions, often under pressure.
Dispatchers work around the clock, requiring them to work various shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays
Physical Conditions: Dispatcher's work involves extended periods of sitting or standing, often while wearing headsets.
Dispatchers need sufficient hearing and vision to use technical equipment and use of hands to handle, feel, operate office equipment.
Must have mental capability to interpret people and situations, perform multiple concurrent tasks, and work in highly emotional and emergency situations.
Exposed to computer screens, radios, and electrical energy.
SELECTION PROCESS It is important to complete all required application materials, including the supplemental questionnaire and any required additional documents. All applications will be screened for completeness and possession of minimum qualifications. Qualified applications will be reviewed in detail to identify the most qualified candidates to continue in the selection process which may consist solely of an application screening, or may include a written examination, skills assessment, oral appraisal interview, assessment center, or other activity selected by the Human Resources Department and the hiring department. As a result of the selection process an eligibility list of qualified candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies as long as the eligibility list remains active. Candidates who score the highest in the selection process will be required to pass a reference and background exam prior to receiving a conditional job offer. Candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to pass a pre-employment medical and drug screen examination prior to receiving a final job offer.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE Only Online Applications will be accepted. To be considered for this exciting opportunity, candidates must complete an online application and the required supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire is part of the application; please provide sufficient detail to enable your answers to be rated.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 2, 2025 Accommodation: Applicants who may require special assistance in any step of the selection process should advise Human Resources by emailing hr@novato.org upon submittal of application.
The City of Novato is an Equal Opportunity Employer Salary: Starting salary is generally the first step of the range listed; however, advanced step appointments may be approved based upon qualifications when warranted. Subsequent salary increases within the range are scheduled yearly and may be granted based upon satisfactory service.
Additional salary awarded for: Bilingual
POST Certificate
Uniform Allowance
Benefits: The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). In compliance with AB 340, CalPERS retirement formula is either 2% at 55; employee contributes 9.5% of salary, or 2% at 62; employee contributes 7.25% of salary, depending on eligibility.
The City provides a specific dollar amount to each employee based on the employee's benefit enrollment level to apply to medical, dental, life and disability insurance. The dental program and life insurance policy are mandatory. Health, vision and disability options are available. Employees who do NOT enroll in a healthcare plan through the City will receive up to $250 per month as an addition to their gross earnings.
Other Benefits Information: - Employee Assistance Program: A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their household.
- Long-term Disability Insurance is provided as an optional benefit. Employee pays $9.78 per month if opting in.
- State Disability Insurance (SDI) is provided. Employee pays 0.6% of salary (pre-tax).
- Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
- Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare. An equal amount is paid by the City.
- The City does not participate in Social Security.
Leaves: - The City offers 14 paid holidays;
- 80 hours of vacation after 1 year (graduates to 21 days for 20 years of service); Employees currently working for another agency (state, federal or local) will have their vacation rate adjusted to account for their years of service with that public agency.
- New employees will receive 40 hours of sick leave on their start date. (unused leave applied to service credit at retirement).
01
I understand that this position requires that I successfully complete and pass a background check, pre-employment physical, fingerprinting (LiveScan), drug screen, and Admin interview.
02
I certify that all information provided on my application and supplemental questionnaire is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge; and I understand that all information is subject to verification; and that false or incomplete information will result in disqualification from the selection process or dismissal, if hired.
Required Question
Job Tags
Full time, Traineeship, Work at office, Local area, Shift work, Night shift, Sunday,