Dispatcher II - Police Department

Closing Date: Monday, June 15th, 2026, at 9:00 PM [PST] OR When 200 Applications Are Received

Position: Dispatcher II

Department: Lancaster Police Department

Hourly Range: $37.75 - $48.17

FLSA : Non-Exempt

This position is pending City Council Adoption

The City of Lancaster Police Department is seeking a dedicated and skilled Police Dispatcher II to join our team. As a Police Dispatcher II, you will play a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our community by effectively dispatching various services, including police, fire, and medical personnel, and providing crucial support in emergency and non-emergency situations. We are seeking an experienced Police Dispatcher with a minimum of four (4) years of continuous dispatcher experience with a POST-Certified law enforcement agency.

Selected candidates will be required to successfully complete the following:

• LPD Dispatcher Test
• Oral Panel Interview
• Comprehensive and thorough background investigation conducted by a background investigator, including but not limited to: Live Scan fingerprinting, submission of a Personal History Statement, background interview, and related components
• Psychological evaluation and assessment
• Polygraph examination (if applicable)
• Medical evaluation

We are seeking an individual with a passion for public safety and effective communication skills to join our fast-paced Police Department to provide essential and impactful service to our community. The ideal candidate should be able to work independently, handle full dispatch responsibilities with minimal supervision. They should be committed, conscientious, and motivated to help people and provide excellent customer service to both external and internal customers. Some duties include, but are not limited to:

• Acting lead dispatcher on a shift.
• Training Dispatcher I employees.
• Operate radio, automated telephone and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems to receive and transmit non-emergency and emergency calls from the public.
• Evaluate, prioritize and sequence incoming information and determine number and type of units to send to an incident; determine nature and priority of calls and/or transfers calls to the appropriate agency.
• Dispatch police personnel and equipment to incidents according to established procedures.
• Maintain radio contact with police units on assignments; notifies other departments of needed support services.
• Monitor the status of police units and their locations.
• Monitor radio frequencies for mutual aid.
• Keep appropriate supervisory personnel informed of the situation and dispatches additional personnel and equipment as directed.
• Notify other jurisdictions when necessary.
• Respond to field unit requests via radio or telephone for information, tow truck, paramedic/fire department, animal control and notification of hospitals or other law enforcement agencies.
• Perform inquiries via CLETS, DOJ, National Crime Information Center, FBI, Stolen Vehicle Systems.
• Receive, enter and relay situational information such as suspect descriptions, location updates and other responders in the area to field units.
• Notify other agencies and departments by telephone or radio in order to coordinate activities.
• Testify in court as necessary.
• Enter, maintain, retrieve, and interpret data in police department computer systems (e.g., Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System).
• May perform emergency call out dispatch duties for several municipal entities, such as Public Works, Code Enforcement, Parking Enforcement, etc .
• Collaborate with other emergency service agencies, such as Sheriffs Department, fire and medical personnel, to facilitate efficient emergency response operations.
• Perform related administrative /clerical work as needed.
• May work on a rotating schedule, which may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed to ensure 24/7 coverage.

The duties listed above are not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may also perform other related duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor. This position is considered non-exempt.

• Not a supervisor but may oversee Dispatch I employees.

• High school diploma or equivalent (Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred).
• Possession of a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Basic Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate.
• Possession of a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Trainer Certificate.
• Minimum of four (4) years of continuous dispatcher experience with a POST-certified law enforcement agency.
• JDIC experience preferred.
• CAD experience preferred.
• Records experience desired.
• Completion of CTO/Dispatch Trainer Course- Preferred.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to handle high-stress situations calmly and efficiently.
• Proficient computer skills and the ability to learn and use specialized dispatch software.
• Ability to operate radio equipment and speak English in a clear and understandable manner.
• Knowledge of law enforcement procedures and protocols (training will be provided).
• Excellent multitasking and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and follow departmental policies and procedures.
• Must pass the LPD Dispatcher Test.
• Must pass a comprehensive background check and drug screening.
• Must pass a psych evaluation and/or polygraph.
• Must pass a medical evaluation.

Successful completion of the state-mandated CLETS training program as required by the California State Department of Justice within six months of date of employment and ongoing maintenance of CLETS certification.

Must have a California POST Basic Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate.

Available to work a flexible schedule, which may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime if needed.

Public Safety Dispatchers are required to satisfactorily complete a minimum of 24 hours of POST-qualifying Continuing Professional Training (CPT) every two years, based on the statewide CPT anniversary date.

Completion of equivalent in-service training may be accepted to satisfy this requirement, when applicable.

• Understanding and practicing confidentiality.
• Exhibiting sound critical thinking and decision-making capabilities, even in time sensitive situations.
• Professional, Integrity, and ethics displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
• Adaptability in a fast-paced and, at times, stressful environment.
• Customer-focused attitude with the ability to engage internal and external customers effectively.
• Ability to multi-task while maintaining detailed and accurate work products.
• Strong technical capabilities including use of electronic hardware and computer software.
• Collaborative and team-oriented attitude including willingness to be flexible with scheduling, training, and assisting where needed to achieve departmental goals.
• Value diversity appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in and outside of the workplace.

Guiding Principles

1. Put people first.
2. Be visionary.
3. Be an ambassador for Lancaster.
4. Be Fiscally Responsible.
5. Be Creative.
6. Always Improving.
7. Be Adaptable and Resilient.

Essential Physical Requirements:

• Ascend/Descend stairs/ladders/balance (moderate)
• Position self to bend or twist (frequent)
• To move, transport, position items up to 15 lbs. (frequent)
• Exposed to outdoor weather conditions (infrequent)
• Operate Equipment (none)
• Stationary or squatting position (frequent)

Environmental Factors:

• Work under time pressure (moderate to frequent)
• Interruptions (frequent)

Essential Cognitive Functions:

• Analyze (continuous)
• Computations (frequent)
• Generate Written Work Product (moderate)
• Independent Problem Solving (continuous)
• Interruptions (frequent)
• Maintain Positive Public Relations (continuous)
• Organize (frequent)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Nothing in this job description restricts managements right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time;

The City of Lancaster will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the City of Lancaster is concerned about the conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting www.dfeh.ca.gov/fair-chance-act/ .

The City of Lancaster is an Equal Opportunity Employer.