Salary : $62,189.00 - $75,592.00 Annually
Location : La Verne, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-22
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 07/15/2026
Closing Date: 8/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
The City of La Verne Police Department seeks motivated and well-qualified candidates for the position of Communications Officer to uphold our organizational values of professionalism, responsibility, innovation, dedication, and excellence. Communications Officers are required to work varying shifts including day, swing, or graveyard shift.
Applications and Selection Process
Applications are currently being accepted from June 14th - August 9th.
Applications will be reviewed and those selected will be invited to further assessment phases.
Applicants who do not include proof of qualifications with their application must undertake the City of La Verne's Communications Officer written exam which is the POST Public Safety Dispatcher Entry-Level Test Battery.
Communications Officers receive incoming emergency calls for police assistance and dispatch necessary units, operate a computer terminal and phone equipment, and perform a variety of general support duties related to communications and records activities.
STEP #1: APPLICATION
Applications must be completed and submitted online. Candidate notifications are sent via email. Please make sure your email address is correct and check your email periodically during the application process. Candidates who pass an initial application screening will be invited to continue in the selection process.
Candidates who have earned a POST Dispatcher exam T-score of
45.0 or higher within 1 year of their application date should attach a copy of their test results to their application. Results must be on the testing agency's letterhead. (This qualifying T-score has been recently revised.)
Candidates who have earned a POST Basic Dispatcher certificate should attach a copy of their certificate to their application. Please note that this certificate is issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training and is different from a completion certificate for a Dispatcher training course, which is issued by a school.
STEP #2: WRITTEN EXAMINATION
The written exam is the POST Public Safety Dispatcher Entry-Level Test Battery.
This written exam is required for applicants who do not provide a POST Basic Dispatcher certificate or a qualifying POST Dispatcher exam T-score with their application. The City of La Verne will waive the written test requirement for applicants who have attached a recent (within 12 months) T-score of at least
45.0 from a previous POST Dispatcher exam. Results must be on the testing agency's letterhead.(This qualifying T-score has been recently revised.)
The POST Dispatcher exam takes approximately 3 hours and will be held at La Verne City Hall (3660 D Street, La Verne) on the test date listed above. Qualifying applicants will receive emailed information about scheduling themselves for an upcoming session of this exam.
Further information about the POST Dispatcher exam is available at
STEP #3: ORAL BOARD
Candidates may advance to the oral board either by providing qualifications with their application or by meeting/exceeding a T-score of
45.0 during the City of La Verne's POST Dispatcher test administration. (This qualifying T-score has been recently revised).
- Applicants who were exempt from City of La Verne's written exam will be interviewed on the test date listed above. (A limited number of interview appointments are available. An additional interview date may be required for qualifying applicants.)
- Applicants who were not exempt from the City of La Verne's POST Dispatcher exam and who met or exceeded the 45.0 T-score standard on the City of La Verne's test date will be interviewed approximately 3 weeks after the POST Dispatcher test date. This qualifying T-score has been recently revised.
ELIGIBILITY LIST
Candidates must pass all three (3) of the steps listed above to be placed on the City's Eligibility List. The application screening and written examination are all qualifying steps (pass/fail). The oral interview evaluation is weighted 100% and determines a candidates' 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.
Definition
To receive incoming emergency calls for police assistance and dispatch necessary units; to assist with the dispatch of other City services; to operate a computer terminal and switchboard equipment; and to perform a variety of general support duties related to communications and records activities.
Supervision Received and Exercised
General supervision is provided by the Support Services Manager when necessary. Technical or functional supervision may be provided by other sworn or non-sworn personnel.
Examples of Duties
Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Receive emergency calls from the public requesting police and other emergency service; determine nature and location of emergency, determine priority, and dispatch police or other emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures.
- Maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of police field units and fire units.
- Answer non-emergency calls for assistance; order tow trucks and public works emergency service or contact appropriate agency.
- Coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other public safety agencies.
- Answer incoming phone calls; screen calls and route as appropriate; wait on public at the counter; accept bail money.
- Enter, update and retrieve information from teletype networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information.
- Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing, and other general clerical work, type reports and prepare packages for court filings.
- Test and inspect equipment as required.
- Assist in performing searches and booking arrested persons.
- Monitor various alarm systems and the activity of prisoners in City detention facilities.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
Typical Qualifications
Knowledge of:
- Standard radio or telephone communications receiving and transmitting equipment.
- Geographic features and streets of the City.
- Standard broadcasting procedures and rules.
- Department procedures and policies, and those of the other user agencies.
- Public safety classification codes and computer commands.
Ability to:
- Learn appropriate provisions of the California Vehicle and Penal Codes.
- Speak clearly and precisely.
- Apply standard broadcasting procedures and rules.
- Work under pressure, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
- Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
- Type at a speed necessary for adequate job performance.
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Spell accurately.
- Work various shifts as assigned.
Experience and Education
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience
One year of telephone or dispatch experience.
Education
Equivalent to the completion of twelfth grade.
Supplemental Information
THE CITY
The City of La Verne strives to maintain a full range of efficient municipal services to preserve our hometown charm and quality of life while being responsive to the community's current and emerging needs. La Verne is a city of more than 30,000 residents and a well-balanced community with a good mix of residential, commercial, and industrial features. La Verne maintains a council-manager form of government. Residents in five districts elect their district council member to represent them and oversee a total annual budget of over $71 million. The five council members select a mayor amongst themselves. La Verne is a close-knit community that is home to many fine institutions and facilities which include the University of La Verne (founded in 1891), Brackett Field Airport, and public and private schools. As one of the more desirable communities in metropolitan Southern California, La Verne is a progressive city that has retained much of its small town charm. The City is interested in hiring an individual who exemplifies the values that make La Verne a safe, desirable, and engaged place to live.
SELECTION PROCESS
The City reserves the right to select applicants for further consideration who demonstrate the best qualifications match for the position. Meeting the required minimum qualifications does not guarantee an applicant an invitation to the next step(s) in the selection process. Those candidates whose experience and training most closely match the City's needs may be invited to participate in the selection process, which may include a combination of written exercise, panel interview, or other testing deemed appropriate.
Prior to hire, successful candidates will also be required to undergo a medical examination (including drug screen), and credit and criminal reviews. Appointments are subject to a 12-month probationary period.
Primary communication regarding applicant status relative to this recruitment will be by e-mail; applicants are solely responsible for monitoring their e-mail communication messages and systems. Applicants are solely responsible for informing the City of changes in contact information, including but not limited to e-mail addresses, mailing addresses, post office boxes, and telephone numbers.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
As required by state law, the City provides consideration for veterans who served during military actions. Eligible veterans should notify Personnel in writing at the time of application.
Under Federal law, employees must contribute 1.45% of their gross monthly earnings for Medicare coverage. The City will match the employee's contribution.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if special assistance to participate in this recruitment is needed, contact the Personnel Office.
The City recruits and hires without regard to race, color, religion, physical ability or condition, sexual orientation, gender, age, or national origin, except in those specific instances whereby a bona fide occupational qualification demands otherwise.
The City of La Verne hires only United States citizens or lawfully authorized aliens.
The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without further notice.
- Up to $1,500 monthly toward family medical coverage
- Classic PERS members--CalPERS Formula 2.5% @ 55 (Employee contribution 8% annual salary - New CalPERS members: CalPERS Pension Reform Formula 2% @ 62 (Employee contribution 6.25% annual salary)
- Up to 10% in certification bonuses
- Up to 5% in education bonuses
- City-paid life insurance benefit
- 2.8 to 5.0 weeks of vacation per year depending on years of service
- Eleven (11) paid holidays per year
- Accrual of 8 hours of sick leave per month
- City-paid long term disability plan
- $1,500 tuition reimbursement for job-related courses
01
Have you earned a POST Dispatcher certificate?If yes, please attach your certificate.
02
Do you have a recent POST Dispatcher exam T-score of 45.0 or higher?If yes, please attach documentation.
03
Police Dispatch is a 7 day a week operation.You must be available to work assigned shifts, which includes nights, weekends, and holidays. You may be required to work all holidays in a given time period. For instance, your workdays may fall on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. While in training, you may not be given a choice about which shift you are assigned to work or which days you work.You may be required to change your work shift and/or days off, or cancel holiday plans with minimal notice.There may be times you will be mandated to work overtime, required to stay late, or come in on your time off.Are you willing and able to work this schedule?
04
Have you ever participated in a Communications Center "Sit-Along" with a Police Dispatcher to better understand a see firsthand the work environment and essential duties and responsibilities required of this multifaceted position?If no, please respond N/A.If yes, please provide the name of the agency where you completed your sit-along and the date of the event.
Required Question
