Communications Operator

City of Burbank•Burbank, CA

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Burbank is currently hiring for a Public Safety Dispatcher. Any candidate who withdraws, fails to appear or fails at any part of the testing process, will be subject to the 90-Day waiting period for re-application for this position. All candidates must complete the department application as well as the Frontline National written exam through National Testing Network at www.NationalTestingNetwork.com before NOON Friday, October 02, 2026. For us to receive your results you MUST select the City of Burbank to share your results with our agency for us to receive your score. The City of Burbank requires the candidate PHQ as well. You can access the questionnaire through your candidate account. The PHQ must be completed by the closing date or you may not be considered further in the process. The City of Burbank is also currently hiring for Lateral Communications Operator. Please see position titled "Communications Operator - Lateral" for details. The City of Burbank will not release the written exam pass point until after all applicants have been notified of the written examination results. Post Pay: Effective the beginning of the pay period immediately following Council adoption, Communications Operators in the Police Department are eligible to receive POST pay as follows: Intermediate POST Certificate: 3%, Advanced POST Certificate: 4%, Supervisory POST Certificate: 5%, Up to 5% total (percentage do not add together as employees obtain additional POST Certificates). Under general supervision, to answer emergency (911) and non-emergency phone lines, to maintain contact with law enforcement personnel and other City units in the field, to dispatch appropriate units or equipment in response to emergency and other calls received through the Burbank Police Department (BPD) Communications Center; and perform related work as required.

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

Peace Officer Standards and Training-certified (POST-certified) Public Safety Dispatch Basic Course Certificate within one year 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