Entry Level Public Safety Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $5,938.40 - $7,962.93 Monthly
Location : Torrance, CA
Job Type: Permanent Full-time
Job Number: 26027305
Department: POLICE
Opening Date: 02/24/2026
DESCRIPTION
The City of Torrance is recruiting for Public Safety Dispatchers to be part of the Torrance Police Department Team!
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.
NEW HIRE PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER INCENTIVE PAY
RECEIVE A SIGNING BONUS OF $10,000 DOLLARS!!!
NEW HIRE PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER LATERAL INCENTIVE PAY
RECEIVE A SIGNING BONUS OF $15,000 DOLLARS!!!
RECEIVE UP TO ADDITIONAL $25,000 FOR SPECIALIZED DETAIL
For more information go to: https://www.jointorrancepd.com
The City of Torrance recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to the City of Torrance today.
The Department
The Torrance Police Department has been proudly serving the community of Torrance for over 100 years, and currently employs 227 sworn police officers and 128 civilian staff. The Torrance Police Department Public Safety Dispatchers serve as the primary link between the public, and the Police and Fire personnel.
The Division
The City of Torrance operates a Public Safety Communication Center under the Support Services Division, and is responsible for providing communications services to the Police and Fire Departments, including answering 911 and non-emergency telephone calls, dispatching public safety resources, and providing emergency medical dispatch services and 911 education to the public. The Communication Center is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment in order to provide the highest level of public safety service to the Torrance community.
The Position
Our Public Safety Dispatchers are an essential component to our overall mission of serving the citizens of our community. Dispatchers operate communication systems utilizing radio, telephone and computer equipment to receive emergency and non-emergency calls requesting Police and Fire services. They make critical decisions during urgent incidents in order to provide First Responders with real-time information to help them solve a variety of situations.
For a detailed job description, click
HOURS: Public Safety Dispatchers currently work three 12-hour shifts per week. Work shifts may be extended as needed. You must be available to work rotating shifts, including day, evening, graveyard, weekends and holidays.
QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES
Education and Experience
Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge and skills required is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:
Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate. One year of experience in voice communications equipment or public contact work involving the use of communication equipment.
License and/or Certificates
Must obtain and maintain a valid California POST Public Safety Dispatch Certificate and Emergency Medical Dispatch Certificate within one (1) year of hire.
Successful candidates will possess:

• A customer service mindset with excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to remain calm, have a clear and controlled voice, think quickly and logically while working under pressure and exercise good judgment in potential emergency situations;
• Strong multitasking skills and the ability to learn quickly;
• Skill to operate a computer and keyboard to enter data provided verbally and in writing; and
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience as a Police, Fire or other emergency dispatcher involving computer-aided dispatching is desirable.
HOW TO APPLY & EXAM PROCESS
Interested candidates must submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire at . Application submission will be accepted on a continuous basis until the position(s) is/are filled. First review of applications will be those received by Monday, March 16, 2026, at 11:59pm. If a sufficient number of qualified applications are received by the first review date, there is the possibility that the recruitment may close at that time.
Only those candidates who best meet the City and Department's needs will be invited to participate in the examination process, which will consist of the following components:
California POST Entry Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery Written*: Weighted 60% ( Wednesday, March 25, 2026)
Panel Interview: Weighted 40% (Thursday, April 16, 2026)
Please note: Exam components will be scheduled on an as needed basis.
*SUBMITTING POST T-SCORES:

• The City of Torrance uses the California Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Entry Level Law Dispatcher Battery Written Test and will accept scores from other agencies within one year of the written test date. The passing T-score for the City of Torrance is 50. Candidates who have taken the POST Entry Level Law Dispatcher Battery examination at another agency and have received a T-score of 50 or higher within the last 12 months must attach a copy of their T-score to their employment application.
• POST allows candidates to test only once in a 30 day period. Applicants may not take the POST written test if taken with another agency within the last 30 days of the City of Torrance scheduled written test.

SPECIAL NOTES
Names of candidates will be retained on the eligible list for a period of six (6) months. Applicants may test for Public Safety Dispatcher only once in a six (6) month period.
In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between TME-AFSCME and the City of Torrance, new employees covered under that memorandum shall become members in good standing and pay the required service fee to said Local.
Visit www.TorranceCA.Gov to find out more information about our community.
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources prior to the examination date(s). If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (310) 618-2915 prior to the test date. For further information, click here
Candidates must pass each component of the exam process, as well as a thorough background investigation to be considered for hire. The background investigation will include job and personal references, arrest records, credit history, use of controlled substances, medical evaluations, and a polygraph.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
City of Torrance Inclusion Statement
The City of Torrance is a welcoming and culturally-rich community. As a pillar of public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a talented workforce where people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, religions, and lifestyles are valued. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and contribute towards making a positive impact.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and works towards building collaborative teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. Come join us to help cultivate a workplace that welcomes and celebrates the diversity of our employees!
The City of Torrance offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. Benefits may include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefits amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.
To view the current benefits for Torrance Municipal Employees (AFSCME Local 1117) bargaining unit, visit:
For additional information about the City's benefits, visit:
RETIREMENT BENEFITS - The City contracts with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) to provide retirement benefits. Retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS.
01
The following supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes are encouraged but will NOT be used in lieu of the application or supplemental questions. Please read each question carefully and provide a thorough and complete response. Do NOT state "see resume" or "see application" to respond to any of the following questions. Failure to respond to all questions will be considered an incomplete application and may not be considered for further processing. Do you understand the foregoing?

• Yes
• No

02
I UNDERSTAND that I am required to describe IN DETAIL my qualifying experience in the Work Experience Section of my application. In addition to including my qualifying experience, I UNDERSTAND that I should list ALL JOBS, regardless of duration, including part-time jobs, military service and any volunteer experience during my entire work history.I UNDERSTAND that when providing my work history, ALL DATES should be UPDATED, starting with my most recent job.I UNDERSTAND that answers that I provide to the supplemental questions should be reflected in the Work Experience Section of my application.I UNDERSTAND that if I am currently employed by the City of Torrance, I MUST provide my appropriate job classification/title and provide a description of my duties in the Work Experience Section of my application.I have read these statements in their entirety and understand them completely and to their fullest.

• Yes
• No

03
Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

04
Indicate the amount of full-time experience you possess in operating voice communication equipment or performing public contact work which involved the use of communication equipment (i.e. telephones, two-way radio, etc.).

• None
• Less than one year
• More than one year, but less than two years
• More than two years, but less than three years
• More than three years

05
Are you willing and available to work all rotating shifts, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays?

• Yes
• No

06
Are you willing and available to work 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Day Shift)?

• Yes
• No

07
Are you willing and available to work 12 p.m. (Noon) to 10 p.m. (Swing Shift)?

• Yes
• No

08
Are you willing and available to work 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. (Graveyard Shift)?

• Yes
• No

09
Do you possess and maintain a POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate?

• Yes
• No

10
Do you possess and maintain an Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Certificate?

• Yes
• No

11
The City of Torrance administers the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery and accepts T-Scores from other agencies within a one-year period from the time of our Written Test date (see test schedule). (Note: Please attach your T-score on agency letterhead (letter or email) at time of application. If you have difficulty attaching this document to your application, email to JobInfo@TorranceCA.Gov.) Are you submitting a T-score received from another agency?

• Yes
• No
• I am scheduled to take the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Batteryexam with another agency within thirty (30) days of the City of Torrance's scheduled Written Test date.

12
The passing T-score for the City of Torrance is 50. Have you taken the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery with another agency within the last twelve (12) months and obtained a T-score of 50 or higher?

• Yes
• No

13
Indicate your years of full-time work experience dispatching other types of emergency units.

• None
• Less than one year
• More than one year but less than two years
• More than two years but less than three years
• More than three years

14
Indicate your years of work experience as a public safety dispatcher.

• None
• Less than one year
• More than one year, but less than two years
• More than two years, but less than three years
• More than three years

Required Question