City And Job Overview
The City of Garden Grove is now accepting applications for:
Public Safety Dispatcher
Deadline to apply for this recruitment is
Friday, February 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST
Click here to apply online: Join Our Team
Under general supervision, Public Safety Dispatchers send out personnel and equipment for both routine and emergency service based on information secured from incoming calls and according to established procedures. The ideal candidate for this position will be alert, highly responsible and able to make sound judgments quickly while working under high-pressure circumstances.
Dispatchers work a 3/12 shift. Employees are assigned to work the day or night shift and may be required to work on weekends and holidays, if staffing or workload dictates. Overtime or working through lunch may also be required if the work is urgent or the workload cannot be covered.
We anticipate creating an eligibility list from this recruitment that may be used to fill current and future vacancies. Apply now!
Essential Duties
Receive and process requests for police, fire and/or emergency medical service utilizing a computerized dispatch system
Operate a multi-line computerized telephone system which includes 911 emergency phone lines, non-emergency phone lines, text to 911, and a TDD system
Dispatch personnel and equipment for both routine and emergency service utilizing phone location mapping according to established procedures or as directed
Maintain computer terminal and radio contact with field personnel
Relay messages and keep command personnel informed of the status of emergency situations
Maintain records and logs of communications activities, including activity logs, special files, lists and maps
Perform related duties as assigned
Requirements
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Graduation from an accredited high school or successful completion of the G.E.D. (General Educational Development) exam and one (1) year of clerical or other related experience involving contact with the public and some use of independent judgment.
Completion of POST Public Safety Dispatcher Training is highly desirable.
Knowledge Of
Customer service techniques and principles; computerized record systems, and use of personal computers.
Ability To
Learn the practices and procedures involved in public safety communications work; receive and transmit information, relay messages, keep command personnel informed of the status of emergency situations; maintain confidentiality of information that is inherently part of the position; apply predetermined plans; learn the operations of radio/telephone receiving and transmitting equipment; learn the geography of the City and maintain familiarity with the locations of streets, specified buildings and facilities to coordinate activity with field personnel on assignment; accurately read and interpret maps; work in a demanding, regimented environment and exercise good judgment in all situations; provide quality customer service and maintain a courteous, patient, and professional attitude on all radio and phone contacts; keep detailed and accurate records and logs of communication activities, special files, lists and maps; prepare reports; hear accurately and speak clearly and distinctly; type a minimum of 30 net words per minute and learn to use the computer-aided dispatch system; learn to use the computer-aided dispatch system, text-to-911 software and computerized phone equipment.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification walk; sit; stand; use fingers/hands repetitively; stoop, bend and lean; twist and turn; reach above and below shoulder level; speak clearly; hear normal voice conversation; distinguish shades or colors; see small details; use a telephone; use a radio and/or Computer-Aided Dispatch system; use a personal computer; and type or use a 10-key type keypad.
Work Environment
Work is performed in a fast-paced office environment utilizing modern office equipment and technology and may require sitting for prolonged periods of time using a computer. The incumbent stands, walks, and may twist, reach, bend, crouch and kneel. An incumbent must be able to meet the requirements of the classification and have mobility, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed. Exposure to high frequency noise, low lighting, multiple conversations, interruptions and highly-agitated callers are typical occurrences in this environment.
Other Requirements
Applicants must not have any felony convictions.
The ability to speak Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean is highly desirable.
Other Important Information
How To Apply
Applications may be completed online by visiting www.ggcity.org/hr. Questions regarding this recruitment should be sent to ggjobs@ggcity.org. Operating hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and every other Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Online Application Packets Must Include
- a completed online employment application;
- a completed supplemental questionnaire;
- a completion certificate for the POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course, if applicable;
- a valid POST Basic (or higher) Dispatcher certificate, if applicable;
- a valid typing certificate, if applicable
The job application must be completely filled out. A resume may be submitted but cannot substitute for some of the information. Be sure to detail any education, training, or other relevant course work that would make you a particularly strong candidate.
Your application will be reviewed very carefully, and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to further testing.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
The Selection Process May Include
- APPLICATION SCREENING
- WRITTEN EXAMINATION - Test scores must be received by the deadline of February 23, 2026 from one of the two test options below. Failure to complete one of the options below may result in disqualification from the recruitment process. Candidates may submit existing test scores that were taken within the prior year but still valid on February 23, 2026. Test scores must meet the minimum passing score(s) to be accepted.
National Testing Network (NTN) Emergency Communications Exam
- Minimum passing score: CallTaker 40%, Dispatcher 25%, Notes 50%, Data Entry – Plates 32%, Data Entry – Names 10%, Cross-Search 27%, Listening and Understanding 30%, and Self-Assessment 60%. Failure to complete all exam components may result in disqualification.
- This exam is administered directly by the NTN and candidates pay a test fee for the service. Please visit the NTN website for more information on testing locations and pricing.
- To schedule a test, visit the National Testing Network website by clicking here. Select the Garden Grove Police Department and the specific position you are applying to.
- NTN will submit your scores to Garden Grove Human Resources for review. Candidates should plan accordingly to allow adequate time for exam scoring and delivery by the deadline.
- OR -
P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Entry-Level Test Battery
- Passing score: Total T-Score - 53 or higher
- Garden Grove Human Resources does not have any P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Entry-Level Test Battery test dates scheduled. However, if you have taken the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Entry-Level Test Battery test with another agency within the last year, you may submit a copy of your test results to meet the written exam requirement. Results must be on the testing agency's letterhead.
- P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Entry-Level Test Battery score may be attached to your online application or emailed to ggjobs@ggcity.org.
- TYPING TEST - see "Typing Certificate Information" below
- ORAL INTERVIEW - tentatively scheduled for in-person on March 12, 2026
WRITTEN EXAM CAN BE WAIVED FOR LATERAL CANDIDATES THAT CAN PROVIDE:
- Proof of possession of a valid California POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate; or
- Proof of possession of the POST-Certified Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course (80 hours minimum) and completion of probation as a Public Safety Dispatcher during previous employment.
Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must contact the Human Resources Department at ggjobs@ggcity.org at least one week prior to any test dates.
CANDIDATES WILL ONLY RECEIVE COMMUNICATION THROUGH EMAIL. Candidates should check their email and spam mail for any notices regarding their status. Candidates considered for appointment to a position must pass a thorough background investigation, Computer Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) Examination, psychological evaluation, and pre-placement medical examination.
TYPING CERTIFICATE INFORMATION ***IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ***
Applicants must submit a typing certificate by March 12, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST.
Typing Certificates Must Meet The Following Criteria
- Must document your typing speed for a 5-minute timed test
- The minimum required speed is 30 net words per minute
- Must be from an agency that regularly certifies typing speed, such as temporary agencies, workforce service centers, adult schools or other similar agencies. Certificate must include an agency name, proctor name, and phone number for possible verification
- Certificate must be issued within the past 12 months (March 2025 - March 2026)
- Internet or online certificates will not be accepted
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Ashleigh Anderson Camba, Human Resources Analyst at ggjobs@ggcity.org.
NEPOTISM POLICY
The City has adopted a Nepotism Policy that may affect the status of a candidate’s application. Please refer to the Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.44.440 Nepotism Policy for more information.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Garden Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, religion, ancestry, national origin, medical condition, non-disqualifying disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or other protected class covered by appropriate law.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
Per Government Code 3100, in the event of a disaster, employees of the City of Garden Grove are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
VACATION
Accrues At The Following Rates
- 80 hours upon completion of one (1) year
- 120 hours after one (1) year - 10 hours per month
- 132 hours after four (4) years - 11 hours per month
- 144 hours after nine (9) years - 12 hours per month
- 156 hours after eleven (11) years - 13 hours per month
- 168 hours after fourteen (14) years - 14 hours per month
- 186 hours after sixteen (16) years - 15.5 hours per month
- 207 hours after nineteen (19) years - 17.25 hours per month
- 246 hours after twenty-four (24) years - 20.6 hours per month
HOLIDAYS: 14 paid holidays a year (up to 125 hours)
SICK LEAVE: Accrues at 8 hours for each full calendar month of service.
CAFETERIA PLAN HEALTH INSURANCE: The City provides each eligible employee a fringe benefit allocation to purchase benefits for themselves and their dependents. Any unused portion of the allowance may be put into a deferred compensation plan, or taken as cash at the end of the year, or invested into a Flexible Reimbursement Account in which employees may tax-defer funds to use to pay for childcare or to cover those health and dental care expenses (deductibles, etc.) that are not reimbursed by an insurance carrier.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM: Employees may contribute to a 457(b) account up to the maximum as determined by the IRS annually. There is no City contribution.
Retirement
Tier I - Employees hired prior to January 1, 2013, are covered by the "2.5% at 55" single highest year option of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) plan. Employees contribute eight percent (8%) of salary to PERS on a tax-deferred basis. Employees hired after January 1, 2013 that have already been enrolled in CalPERS or another reciprocal retirement system and do not have a break in service of more than six (6) months may be hired into Tier I. The plan also includes the 1959 Survivor Benefit (Indexed Level), and $5,000 death benefit.
Tier II - Employees hired after January 1, 2013, are covered by the "2% at 62" three highest year average option of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) plan. Employees contribute half of the normal cost to PERS on a tax-deferred basis. The plan also includes the 1959 Survivor Benefit (Indexed Level), and $5,000 death benefit.
BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Employees may receive $85 per pay period if designated by the department head and certified by Human Resources to use bilingual verbal and translation abilities for languages such as Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, or other designated languages. A designated and certified bilingual employee required to utilize his/her verbal-only bilingual abilities (Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish and/or any other language designated by the City Manager) on City business will be paid $65 each pay period.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Employees who successfully pass probation may receive up to $3,000 per year for pre-approved completed coursework toward a college degree.
RIDESHARE PROGRAM: Incentives in the form of various gift certificates and transportation subsidies are provided to encourage ride sharing and other types of alternate commuting modes.
Please visit the City's website for more information: https://ggcity.org/hr/salary-and-benefits
THE BENEFITS LISTED ABOVE ARE ONLY RELEVANT TO FULL TIME EMPLOYEES. BENEFITS FOR PART-TIME BENEFITED AND NON-BENEFITED EMPLOYEES WILL DIFFER FROM THOSE OF A FULL TIME EMPLOYEE.
01
Please carefully read these instructions: Your responses to the supplemental questions below will be used to determine your qualifications for the position.
You are required to answer ALL of the supplemental questions as truthfully and accurately as possible. Your responses to these questions are subject to verification and may be assessed in subsequent examination parts. Any sign of deliberate misinformation or intentional exaggeration may result in disqualification from this examination process.
- Yes – I have read, understood, and agree to these terms.
- No – I have read, understood, and do not agree to these terms. I wish to withdraw my application from this process.
02
Do you possess at least a high school diploma or equivalent, or higher? (You may be asked to provide documentation to verify this educational requirement.)
03
How many years of experience do you have working with the public?
- I do not have experience in this area.
- Less than 1 year.
- 1 year but less than 2 years.
- 2 years but less than 3 years.
- 3 years but less than 4 years.
- 4 years but less than 5 years.
- 5 years or more
04
Do you possess a valid California POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate?
05
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Work a "3/12 schedule" (three 12-hour shifts) per week? Assigned shift times are: day shift (6am-6pm), or night shift (6pm-6am).
06
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Change to a different work shift, depending on departmental staffing needs, approximately every six weeks during training and every six months thereafter? (Individual preferences MAY be accommodated, but there are no guarantees.)
07
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Work weekends and holidays, depending on your assigned work schedule? (If you are assigned to work on a holiday, you will receive either compensatory time off or appropriate pay.)
08
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Stay physically at your work station except for two, 10-minute breaks and lunch, depending upon the workload (i.e., you will not be able to walk around, use the restroom, or get coffee)?
09
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Have your lunch and rest breaks scheduled for you, as opposed to being able to schedule your own lunch and rest breaks?
10
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Work in an organization that is structured on a "military" model, where you may be required to wear a uniform, under-go regular uniform inspections and where everyone maintains a highly structured "chain of command"?
11
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Have limited opportunities to socialize with co-workers during your shift due to a heavy workload?
12
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Receive rigorous training to ensure your work contains only minimal errors because accuracy is a must?
13
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Work at a rapid pace for extended periods of time, performing repetitious tasks that require careful attention to detail?
14
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Receive daily ratings of your job performance during your six months of training, which includes both positive feedback and discussion of those areas where your performance needs improvement?
15
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Work at a computer terminal for extended periods of time while maintaining intense concentration?
16
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Learn complex computer and phone systems?
17
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Respond pleasantly and quickly to multiple interruptions and requests where urgency is a factor?
18
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Sit for extended periods of time at a small, confined work area in a room with low lighting?
19
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Strictly maintain the confidentiality of all of the information to which you are exposed?
20
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Provide courteous customer service, over the telephone or in-person, to all people you come into contact with, including Police Department and court personnel, those who may have poor English comprehension or difficulty communicating in English, those who are upset or irrational, or those who may be discourteous towards you?
21
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Answer and respond to calls where a violent crime is in progress, and make quick decisions on which one or more person's safety is at stake?
22
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Diffuse problem situations effectively, even when confronted with abusive language or angry behavior?
23
ARE YOU WILLING AND ABLE TO: Undergo a thorough background investigation which includes, but is not limited to, the review of: legal documents; police and driving records; your credit profile; your motor vehicle insurance; and questions made to, and comments received from, family members, spouses, ex-spouses, neighbors, professional references, etc.?
24
The ability to read, write or speak Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean is highly desirable, but not necessary to be successful in this position.
Of the following languages, please check all of the languages in which you are fluent. (Being fluent is defined as having the ability to read, speak or write a foreign language effectively and with relative ease).
Check all that apply.
25
As an adult, have you ever been convicted (or are currently out on bail or out on your own recognizance pending trial) of a felony?
26
If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please give the date(s) and provide relevant details, such as the offense, where the violation occurred, sentence, status, etc.
If you answered "No" to the question above, please write "N/A" in the space provided.
27
As an adult, have you ever been convicted (or are currently out on bail or out on your own recognizance pending trial) of a misdemeanor (including DUI, street racing, driving with a suspended license, etc.) other than a minor traffic violation(s)?
28
If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please give the date(s) and provide relevant details, such as the offense, where the violation occurred, sentence, status, etc.
If you answered "No" to the question above, please write "N/A" in the space provided.
