Job Description

Posting number: 284L-2026

Department: Police

Job classification: Police Radio Dispatcher II - Lateral

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Safety, Miscellaneous, Dispatch

Summary

Do you have one year of continuous experience (full-time or equivalent) as a Police Radio Dispatcher? Have you been employed in the last 18 months as a law enforcement radio dispatcher utilizing a Computer Aided Dispatch System? If so, coming to work for the City of Spokane could be your next great career move!

SPD offers a generous compensation package that includes a pension plan and annual pay increases! Cannabis use prior to application is no longer disqualifying for this position. Once hired, employees of the Spokane Police Department may not use cannabis or any illegal drugs at any time.

For more detailed information about working for the Spokane Police Department, visit our recruitment website.

Why choose the Spokane region:

Why do locals love Spokane? It may depend on whom you ask but most will tell you it is because of the abundance of outdoor recreation, numerous waterways within a close driving distance, arts and culture, a plethora of breweries and wineries, and a rich food scene in the vibrant downtown core. With its natural beauty, entertainment, award winning K-12 schools and excellent colleges and universities it's no wonder why Spokane continues to grow! Learn more about our city here.

Examples of duties

• Receives operational calls and messages by police radio, telephone and computer.
• Provides requested information or transmits messages and information to mobile units.
• Dispatches additional police units on trouble calls, as directed.
• Relays messages between mobile units, portable units and other City departments
• Operates an electronic message recorder.
• Maintains an operational log, monitors other City department radio frequencies, and takes indicated action in an emergency.
• Prepares and maintains necessary reports, records and files.
• Performs extensive operation at computer terminals.
• Receives emergency calls, transferred through 911 operators.
• Dispatches emergency personnel and equipment, in accordance with departmental policy or as directed.
• Enters, updates and receives information, emergency and non-emergency, using the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) computer.
• Assists in maintaining appropriate radio files.
• Maintains radio, telephone and computer contact with other agencies and public safety support organizations.
• Assists in preparation and maintenance of records and reports.
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications

Open Entry Requirements:

(Open-entry applicants must meet all requirements when they apply.)

• Experience: One year of continuous experience (full-time or equivalent hours) and employed within the last eighteen months as a law enforcement radio dispatcher utilizing a Computer Aided Dispatch System.
• Equivalency: We may accept different combinations of education and experience. We welcome job seekers with relevant backgrounds to apply.

Pre-employment Requirements:

• All applicants are subject to a thorough police background investigation, including but not limited to criminal history, fingerprinting, and polygraph.
• To facilitate the background investigation, applicants must submit a Personal History Statement (PHS) form. Completion of this form is MANDATORY for employment consideration.

Notes:

• Within one year of appointment, employees in this classification must have the ability to type a minimum of 200 keystrokes (40 words) per minute.
• Employees must obtain ACCESS II certification during the probationary period

Supplemental information

For information on what to expect with the hiring process, a test information guide, and frequently asked questions, please visit our website.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications and pass the examination for this position to be eligible for hire. The examination will consist of a training and experience evaluation (T&E) with scoring weight assigned as follows:

• T&E: 100%

T&E EVALUATION DETAILS

The T&E examination consists of a Supplemental Questionnaire. The questions may be viewed online under the tab marked "QUESTIONS" on the job announcement page. The T&E must be submitted online at the time of application. All applicants must complete and submit a City of Spokane employment application online in order to be considered.

• Responses to your T&E questions should be consistent with the information given in your application details. Answers are subject to verification.
• Failure to complete all of the questions or incomplete responses will result in a lower score; therefore, it is advantageous for you to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question.
• Resumes or questionnaires uploaded as attachments to the application will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question online.
• "See Resume" or "See above," etc., are not qualifying responses and will not be considered.
• Changes or corrections to your responses cannot be made once your application packet has been submitted.
• TIP: It may be more efficient to develop your responses in a word processing document and then paste them into the online questionnaire to be submitted.

Upon request, at time of application, the City will provide alternative accessible tests to individuals with disabilities that impair manual, sensory or speaking skills needed to take the test, unless the test is intended to measure those skills.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status or disability status. As a Fair Chance employer, City of Spokane does not conduct initial background screening for non-public safety positions.