The Communications Dispatcher Trainee is an entry level position. The recruitment process for this position may take approximately 3 months, requiring commitment and follow through of the applicant. 

The following is an overview of the hiring process:

Application: Apply on-line - Entry-level position – no experience necessary.  No typing certificate required. All applicants will be tested for typing skills. 

CritiCall Test: Applicants who apply will be invited to participate in this computer-based test. CritiCall is an online test that will evaluate your skills and abilities in an emergency environment. Must be able to type 30 WPM.  

Orientation: Upon successful completion of the CritiCall Test, applicants will be invited to participate in this orientation. Attending orientation is mandatory to continue in the selection process.  This orientation is designed to provide you with important information about the job.

Selection Interviews: Upon successful completion of the CritiCall Test and the Orientation, applicants are placed on the eligible list.  All candidates on the eligible list will be invited to take part in the selection interviews. 

• Sit- Along:  All candidates that are selected to move forward in the hiring process are required to complete 4 hour sit-along. We generally schedule the candidate to come in on the weekends from 10:00pm-0200 am, so the candidate can evaluate if this a career they’d like to pursue. 

• Background: All candidates are subjected to complete a thorough law enforcement background check as required by the California Commission of Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T).  You will be given instruction to complete your Personal History Statement (PHS), otherwise known as your background packet. 

• Psychological Evaluation: All candidates in the background process will be subjected to a psychological evaluation and interview. This process is conducted to measure an applicant’s suitability for the position as a Communications Dispatcher Trainee.

• Medical Evaluation: All candidates will be subjected to a basic medical examination to measure the candidate’s readiness for the position.
  
  
• Final Job Offer: Upon successful completion of all the components, a firm job offer will be extended. 

What To Expect Upon Hire

Monterey County Emergency Communications Department is responsible for the operation of a countywide, consolidated Emergency Communications Center providing 9-1-1 and non-emergency call answering and law enforcement, fire protection and emergency medical dispatch services for over 30 local, Regional, County and State Public Safety agencies.

The Communications Dispatcher I position is an entry level position and focuses on Law Enforcement Dispatching and 9-1-1 call taking.  Trainees receive on-the-job training in basic 9-1-1 call answering and radio dispatching methods and techniques.  Upon successful completion of the call taking training, incumbents are expected to promote to Communications Dispatcher II classification, typically within four to 6 months and receive pay increase.

Below, please find a general overview of the Dispatcher training process breakdown: 

• Basic Dispatch Academy: Monterey County Emergency Communications offers its Trainees an in-house classroom training academy experience. The purpose of the Academy is to teach Trainees the basic fundamentals of law enforcement dispatching and call-taking. The academy is 4 to 5 weeks in length. Trainees are quizzed daily and expected to maintain a minimum passing score of 80% 

• On-the-Job Phone Training (OTJ) Phase: Upon successful completion of the In-house Dispatch Academy, Trainees are assigned a Communications Training Officer (CTO) either on day or night shift for a total of 12 weeks and will be moved to a new CTO on the opposite shift at the end of the first 6 weeks.  The training is focused on answering 911, emergency, and non-emergency calls.  During the 12-week OTJ training, the CTO monitors, instructs and evaluates the Trainees progress providing Daily Observation Reports (DORs) throughout this phase. 

• Independent Phase: Once signed-off, Trainees will work independently on phones to strengthen their skills and build their confidence.  
  
  
• On-the-Job Radio Training Phase: After the phone training and solo periods, the trainee will begin an in-house radio academy to learn radio etiquette, dispatching techniques, radio codes, and radio commands to prepare the trainee for dispatching.

   After successful completion of the required radio channels, the Trainee is expected to be promoted to a Communications Dispatcher II and will be moved to a higher salary range. 

• P.O.S.T Academy: The P.O.S.T. Academy is an offsite course providing basic standard dispatch training for dispatchers to become P.O.S.T. certified.  This is a requirement and a condition of employment.  Trainees will be scheduled within the first year of employment based on the class availability.