Communications Operator - Lateral

City of Burbank • Burbank, CA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Burbank is currently hiring for a Public Safety Dispatcher. This role involves answering emergency (911) and non-emergency phone lines, maintaining contact with law enforcement personnel and other City units in the field, and dispatching appropriate units or equipment in response to calls received through the Burbank Police Department (BPD) Communications Center. The position operates on a shift basis and requires maintaining a continuous record of the status of mobile units. Responsibilities include operating the emergency telephone system, sending and receiving computer messages, using a computer terminal for data entry and retrieval, maintaining logs, and preparing reports. The role may also involve composing and typing log sheets and driving on City business.

Requirements

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures involved in public safety communications work
• Knowledge of effective customer service techniques
• Knowledge of spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Skill in operating modern computers and related software
• Skill in exercising independent judgement and making decisions based on standard policy and procedures
• Ability to learn the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission covering the operation of radio receivers and transmitters
• Ability to learn the policies and procedures of the Communications Center, BPD General Orders, and City Administrative Procedures, California Penal and Vehicle Codes, the City’s Municipal Code, and BPD CAD system
• Ability to learn the proper use and care of radio communications equipment
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to think clearly and act quickly in emergencies
• Ability to maintain accurate records
• Ability to simultaneously receive, dispatch, and record information utilizing a database system
• Ability to work rotating shifts
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow employees, and the public
• High school graduation or equivalent
• One year of recent full-time experience in customer service, clerical work, or emergency services dispatch/radio communications work
• Ability to type 40 net words per minute

Nice To Haves

• Basic POST certificate must be attached to application prior to Friday, October 2, 2026
• Peace Officer Standards and Training-certified (POST-certified) Public Safety Dispatch Basic Course Certificate within one year of appointment
• A valid California Class “C” driver’s license or equivalent may be required at time of appointment

Responsibilities

• Serves as an Operator in the BPD Communications Center on a shift basis
• Receives calls, dispatches and records appropriate law enforcement and other equipment to respond to reported emergencies in the field
• Maintains contact with units at all times during shift assignment in order to send needed or requested assistance in event of emergency
• Maintains a continuous record of the status of mobile units indicating the disposition of each unit by mechanical or other means
• Operates emergency (911) telephone system
• Sends and receives computer messages and routes same to appropriate destination
• Operates a computer terminal to enter, modify, or retrieve data
• Maintains a current log of all information received and transmitted
• Prepares required reports and summaries of Communications Center activities
• Performs miscellaneous clerical work
• May compose and type log sheets as required
• May drive on City business

Benefits

• $10,000 Lateral Signing Bonus for qualified Communications Operator – Lateral hires ($5,000 paid upon hire, $5,000 paid upon successful completion of the probationary period)
• POST pay eligibility (Intermediate POST Certificate: 3%, Advanced POST Certificate: 4%, Supervisory POST Certificate: 5%, Up to 5% total)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED