Communications Operator - Lateral

City of Burbank • Burbank, CA

9d

About The Position

The City of Burbank is recruiting for a Communications Operator – Lateral in the Police Department. Under general supervision, the position answers emergency (911) and non-emergency phone lines, maintains contact with law enforcement personnel and other City units in the field, and dispatches appropriate units or equipment in response to emergency and other calls received through the Burbank Police Department (BPD) Communications Center. The employee performs related work as required.

The Communications Operator serves in the BPD Communications Center on a shift basis. Duties include receiving calls; dispatching and recording law enforcement and other equipment responding to reported emergencies; maintaining contact with field units and sending assistance when needed; tracking mobile-unit status; operating the emergency telephone system and computer systems; maintaining logs and records; preparing reports and summaries; and performing miscellaneous clerical work. The employee may compose and type log sheets and may drive on City business.

This is an open competitive recruitment. Qualified lateral hires may receive a $10,000 signing bonus: $5,000 upon hire and $5,000 after successful completion of the probationary period. Eligible Communications Operators may receive POST pay for Intermediate, Advanced, or Supervisory POST certificates, up to 5% total; the percentages do not add together. A Basic POST certificate must be attached to the application before Friday, December 18, 2026. Candidates who withdraw, fail to appear, or fail any part of testing are subject to a 90-day waiting period before reapplying.

Requirements

• 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.
• POST-certified Public Safety Dispatch Basic Course Certificate within one year of appointment; a Basic POST certificate must be attached to the application before Friday, December 18, 2026.
• Maintain all required licenses and certificates throughout employment in this classification.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures involved in public safety communications work; effective customer service techniques; and spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Skill in operating modern computers and related software, exercising independent judgment, and making decisions based on standard policy and procedures.
• Ability to learn applicable FCC radio-operation rules, Communications Center policies and procedures, BPD General Orders, City Administrative Procedures, California Penal and Vehicle Codes, the City Municipal Code, and the BPD CAD system.
• Ability to learn the proper use and care of radio communications equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; think clearly and act quickly in emergencies; maintain accurate records; and simultaneously receive, dispatch, and record information using a database system.
• Ability to work rotating shifts and establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow employees, and the public.
• A valid California Class C driver’s license or equivalent may be required at time of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an operator in the BPD Communications Center on a shift basis.
• Receive emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch and record appropriate law enforcement units or other equipment to respond to reported emergencies.
• Maintain contact with field units during the shift and send needed or requested assistance in an emergency.
• Maintain a continuous record of mobile-unit status and the disposition of each unit.
• Operate the emergency (911) telephone system.
• Send and receive computer messages and route them to the appropriate destination.
• Use a computer terminal to enter, modify, or retrieve data.
• Maintain a current log of information received and transmitted.
• Prepare required reports and summaries of Communications Center activities.
• Perform miscellaneous clerical work and, as required, compose and type log sheets.
• May drive on City business.

Benefits

• $10,000 lateral signing bonus for qualified hires: $5,000 upon hire and $5,000 upon successful completion of the probationary period.
• POST pay for eligible Communications Operators: 3% for an Intermediate POST Certificate, 4% for an Advanced POST Certificate, or 5% for a Supervisory POST Certificate, up to 5% total.

What This Job Offers

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