Public Safety Dispatcher

How to become a UCSF public safety dispatcher

  1. Review the POST Public Safety Dispatcher Candidate Selection Standards.
  2. Apply to an open Public Safety Dispatcher job posting in UCSF Brass Ring with a cover letter and resume.
  3. Submit a completed UCSF Police Department Employment Application form.
  4. Take the written POST Public Safety Dispatcher Entry-level Test Battery (entry-level dispatchers only).
  5. Applicants are encouraged to take part in a ride-along. These can be scheduled by contacting the Watch Commander at 415-476-1414.
  6. Qualified applicants will be scheduled to take part in an oral board interview conducted by at least two members of the UCSF Police Department dispatch staff. The interview will be one hour long and is pass or fail.
  7. Applicants passing the oral board interview will be fingerprinted and given a Personal History Statement form and Background Questionnaire to complete and submit to the Professional Standards Division (PSD).
  8. The PSD will review the Personal History Statement and Background Questionnaire and pass/fail candidates based on whether they meet the hiring requirements.
  9. Passing candidates will be scheduled for a one-hour, pass/fail interview with the Technical Services Director.
  10. Candidates passing the interview with the Technical Services Director will be asked to sign a waiver authorizing a background investigation. The background investigation will focus on the POST Public Safety Dispatcher areas of investigation and can take from 30 to 45 days.
  11. The Chief of Police will pass/fail candidates based the results of the background investigation.
  12. Passing candidates will be scheduled for a medical evaluation and psychological assessment. Examination results are normally received within seven business days of the exam date.
  13. Candidates passing the medical and psychological examinations will be sent a conditional offer of employment, to be signed and returned to the PSD.
  14. When the signed conditional offer of employment is received, the candidate is hired.

Additional candidate information

  • Entry-level applicants must take the POST Public Safety Dispatcher Entry-level Test Battery. They will be notified if UCSF Police Department has an exam scheduled. If no exam is scheduled, applicants may take the exam at another agency and forward the test scores to UCSF Police Department. A passing score is 42. 
  • Newly hired, entry-level dispatchers will be sent to take the POST Public Safety Dispatchers’ Basic Course. 
  • Candidates who are not passed at any point in the recruitment process will be notified in writing and may reapply to an open position after six months.