Emergency Communications Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $68,687.06 - $94,686.02 Annually
Location : Burbank, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 260209B3-1
Department: Police Department
Division: Communications
Opening Date: 07/10/2026
OPEN COMPETITIVE RECRUITMENT
Open to all qualified candidates.
The City of Burbank is currently hiring for Communications Operator.
PLEASE NOTE: Any candidate who withdraws, fails to appear or fails at any part of the testing process, will be subject to the 90-Day waiting period for re-application for this position.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All candidates must complete the department application as well as the Frontline National written exam through National Testing Network at www.NationalTestingNetwork.com before NOON Friday, August 07, 2026. For us to receive your results you MUST select the City of Burbank to share your results with our agency for us to receive your score. The City of Burbank requires the candidate PHQ as well. You can access the questionnaire through your candidate account. The PHQ must be completed by the closing date or you may not be considered further in the process.
The City of Burbank is also currently hiring for Lateral Communications Operator. Please see position titled "Communications Operator - Lateral" for details.
The City of Burbank will not release the written exam pass point until after all applicants have been notified of the written examination results.
Post Pay: Effective the beginning of the pay period immediately following Council adoption, Communications Operators in the Police Department are eligible to receive POST pay as follows: Intermediate POST Certificate: 3%, Advanced POST Certificate: 4%, Supervisory POST Certificate: 5%, Up to 5% total (percentage do not add together as employees obtain additional POST Certificates).
Under general supervision, to answer emergency (911) and non-emergency phone lines, to maintain contact with law enforcement personnel and other City units in the field, to dispatch appropriate units or equipment in response to emergency and other calls received through the Burbank Police Department (BPD) Communications Center; and perform related work as required.
Essential Functions
Serves as an Operator in the BPD Communications Center on a shift basis; receives calls, dispatches and records appropriate law enforcement and other equipment to respond to reported emergencies in the field; maintains contact with units at all times during shift assignment in order to send needed or requested assistance in event of emergency; maintains a continuous record of the status of mobile units indicating the disposition of each unit by mechanical or other means; operates emergency (911) telephone system; sends and receives computer messages and routes same to appropriate destination; operates a computer terminal to enter, modify, or retrieve data; maintains a current log of all information received and transmitted; prepares required reports and summaries of Communications Center activities; performs miscellaneous clerical work; may compose and type log sheets as required; may drive on City business.
Minimum Qualifications
Employment Standards: Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures involved in public safety communications work; effective customer service techniques; spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Skill in operating modern computers and related software; exercising independent judgement and making decisions based on standard policy and procedures. Ability to learn the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission covering the operation of radio receivers and transmitters, the policies and procedures of the Communications Center, BPD General Orders, and City Administrative Procedures, California Penal and Vehicle Codes, the City's Municipal Code, and BPD CAD system; learn the proper use and care of radio communications equipment; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; think clearly and act quickly in emergencies; maintain accurate records; simultaneously receive, dispatch, and record information utilizing a database system; work rotating shifts; establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow employees, and the public.
Education/Training: High school graduation or equivalent, and 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.
License & Certificates: Peace Officer Standards and Training-certified (POST-certified) Public Safety Dispatch Basic Course Certificate within one year of appointment. All required licenses and certificates must be maintained throughout employment in this classification.
Supplemental Information
A valid California Class "C" driver's license or equivalent may be required at time of appointment.
This job title is represented by the Burbank City Employees' Association (BCEA)
The City of Burbank offers excellent employee benefits, please click on the following link for additional information regarding employee benefits: https://www.burbankca.gov/web/management-services/employee-benefits
Additionally, there are Benefit Summary Sheets for each represented and unrepresented employee group that provide a more detailed summary of benefits. There are also some Benefit Summary Sheets for specific job titles. To access the Benefit Summary Sheets, please click here: https://www.burbankca.gov/web/management-services/benefits-summary-sheets
Please note, employee benefits vary based on employment status - full-time or part-time; regular or temporary, and many benefits are not applicable to temporary employees.
01
You must answer the following question in order to be considered for the position. The purpose of this Supplemental Questionnaire is to give you an opportunity to provide additional information regarding your specific qualifications for the position of Communications Operator - Lateral. This Supplemental Questionnaire is considered part of your application process and will be evaluated along with your application on a competitive basis to determine which applicants will proceed to the next step in the selection process.INSTRUCTIONSAnswer should be complete, specific, and precise. Incomplete, illegible, vague, or excessively long responses to any question may disqualify you from being considered further for the position. Please be specific in answering the Supplemental Questions, as they will be used to evaluate which applicants will be given further consideration in the process. DO NOT answer, "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Click "Yes" to reflect that you have read and understand this statement.

• Yes

02
A certified typing certificate showing the ability to type 40 net words per minute must accompany application to be considered. By clicking "Yes" I am aware that I must have a typing certificate submitted prior to the closing date. If typing certificate is not submitted prior to the closing date, I will be disqualified from the process. TYPING CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS. TYPING CERTIFICATES MUST BE CERTIFIED FROM A GOVERNMENT AGENCY, BUSINESS COLLEGE, TEMPORARY AGENCY, PUBLIC SCHOOL, OR OTHER VERIFIABLE AGENCY AND DATED WITHIN ONE YEAR FROM THE LAST DAY TO APPLY. NET WORDS PER MINUTE MUST BE STATED ON THE CERTIFICATE. ONLINE TYPING CERTIFICATES ARE NOT ACCEPTED.PLEASE NOTE: Any certificate you have submitted with a previous application is not kept on file. Please ensure that your typing certificate is attached to your application to be considered in the recruitment process.

• Yes

03
What is your highest level of completed education?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree or higher
• None of the above

04
How many of recent full-time experience in customer service, clerical work, or emergency services dispatch/radio communications work do you have?

• 0-11 months
• 1 year of experience
• 2+ years of experience

05
I understand that all requested information must be furnished on the application itself. Resumes and/or attachments may be included, but CANNOT BE SUBSTITUTED for a completed application form. A resume submitted in lieu of an application will not be sufficient. Furthermore, "See resume" is not an acceptable response under Duties. An application containing this response may be deemed incomplete. If I do not provide information on my application under Education, Experience, and/or License and Certificates sections that I meet the minimum qualifications for the position I am applying for, I will be deemed "not qualified" and may not proceed in the recruitment.

• YES

Required Question