Communications Officer

Description

***SIGNING BONUS FOR LATERAL AND NON-LATERAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS***

The City of Costa Mesa now offers a $15,000, one-time signing bonus for qualified Lateral Communications Officer applicants. This bonus will be paid out at $5,000 upon hire, $5,000 upon completion after one year of service, and $5,000 upon completion of probation.

To qualify for this signing bonus, candidates must meet all of the following requirements:

• Currently be employed with another public safety agency as a public safety dispatcher
• Successfully passed that agency’s probationary period
• Possess a current POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate (or equivalent)

The City of Costa Mesa also offers a $10,000, one time signing bonus for qualified Non-Lateral Communications Officer applicants. This bonus will be paid out at $5,000 upon hire and $5,000 upon completion of probation.

SALARY
Current: $72,480 - $97,128 annually

JOB SUMMARY:

Communications Officers are first responders who serve as the primary link between the public, police, and fire by receiving 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls. Under general supervision, to perform skilled work in receiving incoming calls at the City's Communications Operations Center, including requests for police/fire protection services or information, and dispatching of necessary units and equipment for emergency service through the use of telephone, radio, or other communications equipment; and performs related duties as required.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

Applications must be completed and submitted on-line. This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close without prior notice. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, therefore prompt application is encouraged.

STEP #1: Written Examination

Take the written exam with National Testing Network (NTN).

Interested candidates who meet the position qualifications must have completed the ECOMM (Emergency Communications) written exam within the last 12 months (based on application date). The exam is administered directly by the National Testing Network (NTN) and candidates pay a test fee for the service. There are multiple test sites in Southern California, as well as throughout the country.

• To schedule a test, visit the NTN website at www.nationaltestingnetwork.com . Go to "Exams", "Emergency Communications-ECOMM", and sign up for the "Costa Mesa Police Department".
• NTN will submit the scores to Costa Mesa Human Resources for review.
• Do NOT submit a test score if you do not meet the job qualifications.

Passing scores for Costa Mesa are as follows for the three sections:

• Call Taker - 53 or higher
  
• Recording (Notes) - 64 or higher
  
• Dispatch - 43 or higher
  

* Applicants are also required to complete the Simulations.

LATERAL applicants: Candidates who are currently employed as a full-time police dispatcher with a California POST agency (at least one year of experience) and possess a POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate will be waived from the written exam requirement. Lateral applicants proceed to Step #2.

STEP #2: Typing Certificate

Provide a typing certificate that meets the following criteria:

• Must be issued from a recognized employment or public agency.
  • Online/Internet issued certificates will NOT be accepted.
• Certificates must be on the agency's letterhead or formal certificate and include the agency's name and phone number.
• Must be issued within the last 12 months (based on application date).
• Certificates must indicate a NET (corrected) typing speed of 40 WPM or better .
• Failure to provide a typing certificate at time of application that meets the above requirements may result in disqualification.
• Typing certificates must be attached to application (application requirement in step #3)

Certificates from any agency meeting the above criteria will be accepted. The following agencies may also be used; the City of Costa Mesa neither endorses nor opposes any of these agencies.

Orange County Workforce Solutions Santa Ana Work Center 28202 Cabot Road, #140 801 West Civic Center Drive
Suite 200 Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 480-6500 (714) 848-6129


STEP #3: Submit Application

Applications must be completed and submitted online. Candidates are required to provide specific information on their education and experience as it relates to the position by completing all fields of the application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete (resumes are not accepted). Candidate notifications are sent via email. Please make sure your email address is correct and check your email periodically during the application process.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Please ensure you meet the position qualifications as stated under the "MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS" section below before submitting your application.

AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFIERS: Please be advised of the Costa Mesa Police Department automatic disqualifiers : click here for a list of background disqualifiers.

If you do not meet the minimum qualifications, or if any of the automatic disqualifiers pertain to you, it is recommended that you do not take the written exam or submit an application for this position as you will be disqualified from the selection process.

Required Attachment(s):

• All applicants - Typing Certificate meeting the requirements stated in Step #2.
  
• Applicants who have completed the POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course must attach a copy of their Certificate of Completion to their application.
• LATERAL applicants who are Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certified must attach a copy of their Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate.
  • ( Note: this Certificate differs from the one obtained from the POST Basic Course, rather it is awarded after completing probation as a full-time dispatcher at a POST participating agency. ) Lateral applicants may be eligible to have the written exam waived.

Do NOT attach any other documents other than what is listed above (i.e., resume, diplomas, IDs, etc.), as they will not be accepted or reviewed in the application process.

STEP #4: Oral Interview Evaluations

Based upon the information presented in the application, a limited number of applicants who possess qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. Candidates must complete the written exam and typing certificate requirements in order for their applications to be reviewed.

Please notify the Human Resources Division 72 hours in advance of the test date if you have a disability which requires accommodation for the testing process.

Eligibility List

Candidates must pass all four (4) steps listed above to be placed on the City's Eligibility List. The written exam, typing certificate, and application review are all qualifying steps (pass/fail). The oral interview evaluation is weighted 100% and determines a candidate's placement on the eligibility list. Eligibility lists are valid for one (1) year from the date they are established unless it is exhausted sooner or extended for an additional period of time.

Final Phases of the Selection Process:

Upon being placed on the eligibility list, appointment(s) will be made after successfully passing each of the following components: polygraph examination, a comprehensive background investigation (includes Live scan fingerprint check), interview with the Chief of Police, and the post-offer pre-employment psychological evaluation and medical examination (may include drug screen). All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States.

Note: The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained within may be modified or revoked without notice.

Essential Functions

Please click here to review the essential functions of the position on the job description link prior to applying for the position.

Qualification Guidelines

A typical way to obtain the requisite knowledge and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of this classification is as follows:

EDUCATION:

High school graduation or the equivalent.

TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Entry Level:
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed in the class specification. Completion of the POST Public Safety Dispatcher’s Basic Course within 12 months of appointment.

Lateral Dispatchers:
Candidates who are currently employed as a full-time police dispatcher with a California POST agency (with at least one year of experience) and possess a POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate.
Applicants who are Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certified must submit a copy of their Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate. ( Note: this Certificate differs from the one obtained from the POST Basic Course, rather it is awarded after completing probation as a full-time dispatcher at a POST participating agency. ) Lateral applicants may be eligible to have the written exam waived.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE:

Class C California Driver’s License. Revocation of license during employment may result in disciplinary action or reassignment.

Possession of, or eligible to apply for, the POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate within 18 months of appointment.

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, the Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certificate, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification within 18 months of appointment.

REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITIES:
Please click here to review detailed information on the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.

Supplemental Information

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISASTER SERVICE WORKER:

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100 - all City of Costa Mesa employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or disaster.

PHYSICAL TASKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Please contact Human Resources for a summary of the essential tasks and environmental factors for this classification.

Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

To view benefit information for all groups, Click Here

New employees contribute 9% of their salary on a pre-tax basis towards the 2%@60 or 2%@62 CalPERS retirement formula depending on eligibility.

Employees receive the following health insurance flexible benefits contribution:

• Current: $1,600monthly
• Effective January 2025: $1,650monthly

The City does not participate in the Social Security system; however, federal mandate requires new employees to contribute 1.45% of wages to Medicare. As a condition of employment, all new employees are required to enroll and participate in the direct deposit program.

• 

• City of Costa Mesa

Show more