FIRE DISPATCHER I

Job Description:

FIRE DISPATCHER I

Description

Position/Program Information

FIRE DEPARTMENT

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT

We welcome applications from anyone.

EXAM NUMBER

32432M

FILING PERIOD

We will be accepting online applications from Monday, July 27, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) until Friday, August 7, 2026, 5:00 PM (PT). All applications must be received before 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Friday, August 7, 2026, to be accepted.

THIS EXAMINATION MAY REOPEN AT ANY TIME TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Why work for us?

With almost 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation! As the largest employer in Southern California with over 100,000 employees in 39 departments, we provide vital and diverse public services like law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, and cultural activities.

The County has more than 2,100 different job types, offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers! We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. Join us and discover one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the county with a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential. For more information about our amazing benefits, please visit us here: https://hr.lacounty.gov/benefits/ .

Essential Job Functions

• Receives and responds to requests for emergency services from the public via the 911, electronically relayed from the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) centers, standard telephone system, and from other safety agencies.
• Interviews callers to obtain preliminary report of incident, criminal activity, or other emergencies and gains sufficient information to properly respond and dispatch appropriate assistance in accordance with operational guidelines, and advises responding units of any unusual circumstances or potential problems associated with the emergency.
• Differentiates between routine, priority, and emergency messages and initiates or follows through on responses or advises supervisory personnel as required.
• Provides pre-arrival emergency instructions in accordance with the Department's Emergency Medical Dispatch.
• Operates keyboard-controlled telephone equipment that enables dispatchers to maintain cold line communications with public safety agencies, private safety agencies, and non-emergent agencies.

Under the direction of an experienced Fire Dispatcher II, receives instruction and practical experience in the following activities:

• Uses the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to determine the identity and availability of the nearest firefighting, rescue, or paramedic unit.
• Transmits and receives coded and conventional messages to and from Fire stations and administrative, investigative, and field units via voice, digital, and video communication links.
• Evaluates multiple messages received from field units, selects and acts upon the most urgent message and re-establishes contact with bypassed units in order of apparent urgency.
• Expedites emergency radio traffic between stations by coordinating assistance responses of personnel and equipment through the selection and utilization of communications channels that best meet the needs of the specific situation.
• Enters unit responses and clearances into the Fire Command and Control System.
• Broadcasts information over radio or telephone lines using the proper dispatcher terminology.
• Analyzes the response for compatibility with the request and relays it to the requesting field unit.
• Maintains and updates dispatching resource material and computer data; maintains records of and prepares reports on emergency calls received and dispatches initiated.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY :

Graduation from high school, its equivalent, or higher.*

*Includes: a recognized high school equivalency credential, such as GED, or an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

TYPEWRITING SKILL REQUIREMENT :

Ability to type at the rate of 30 net words per minute.

PHYSICAL CLASS :

Physical Class II - Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

LICENSE :

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS INFORMATION:
To receive credit for your education, include a legible copy of all relevant official documents, including your diploma, transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution or email it to Fire-Examination @fire.lacounty.gov within five (5) calendar days after the close of the filing period. The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English. If not in English, then translation is required. International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards if not listed in the International Handbook of Universities or World Higher Education Database. Documents marked as unofficial will not be accepted. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf

We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS :

After appointment, employee must successfully complete the Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Certification training program as scheduled by the County of Los Angeles Fire Department.

Additional Information

REALISTIC JOB PREVIEW :

The Los Angeles County Fire Department operates seven days a week, 24-hours a day.

Appointees must be willing to and/or be able to:

• Work in a paramilitary environment and carry out orders.
• Work in a high stress environment common to an emergency communications center.
• Work any shift, day or night, possibly on a rotating basis.
• Work weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• Perform housekeeping duties by cleaning and maintaining working area and common area in order to maintain the hygiene and professional appearance of the dispatch center.
• Accept that you may not be permitted to leave the communications facility during your shift except in an emergency.
• Accept recalls (an order to report for duty on an unscheduled shift) which may require being on duty for up to thirty-six (36) continuous hours (with sleep breaks).
• Respond to other employees, agencies and citizens in a courteous, helpful, and business-like manner in all radio, telephone, and personal contact.
• Manage telephone calls regarding severely ill or injured people, sometimes involving death, while still performing the functions of the job.
• Remain focused and perform several tasks at one time.
• Multi-task and coordinate your movements (I.e., operating the phone, radio, and computer equipment simultaneously, or typing information into a computer while speaking on the phone or radio, etc.).
• Hear and understand multiple sources of sound coming through a communications headset, radio, telephone receiver, and/or in person simultaneously.
• Participate in training lasting approximately ten (10) months in order to learn and develop the techniques and skills required of a Fire Dispatcher.
• Accept constructive criticisms without reacting defensively, rationalizing mistakes, or blaming others.

EXAMINATION CONTENT :

This examination will consist of THREE (3) parts:

PART I: A qualifying typing performance test. Fire Dispatcher I requires typing proficiency at 30 words per minute.

The following applicants are NOT required to take the typing test:

• Current or former County employees who have held a typing position that required the necessary wpm.
• Applicants who have already taken and passed the County's typing performance test (administered by the Department of Human Resources) at the required wpm. If your passing score is already on file, it will be transferred automatically - no need to retest.
• Applicants who passed the “Typing Test - Score-Banking Only” with the required net wpm. Your score will also transfer automatically.
• Applicants who have met the typing requirement in another Los Angeles County department must attach a copy of their typing certificate to their application at the time of filing. If you are unable to attach the certificate at the time of filing, please email it within five (5) calendar days after the close of the filing period to [email protected] .

CANDIDATES MUST PASS THE TYPING PERFORMANCE TEST TO PARTICIPATE IN PART II.

PART II: A multiple-choice test weighted 30% that will assess Customer Focus, Learning Potential, and Responsibility.

CANDIDATES MUST ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER IN PART II TO PARTICIPATE IN PART III.

MULTIPLE CHOICE AND/OR SIMULATION ASSESSMENT(S) ARE NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19.

PART III: A performance test weighted 70% that will assess Decision Making, Data Entry, Multitasking, Listening, Call Summarization, Cross Referencing, Prioritization, Memory Recall, Map Reading, Spelling, and Reading Comprehension.

CANDIDATES MUST ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON PART III IN ORDER TO BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST.

PASSING THIS EXAMINATION AND BEING PLACED ON THE LIST DOES NOT GUARANTEE AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT.

TRANSFER OF TEST RESPONSES :

If you have taken identical components recently for other exams, your responses may be automatically transferred to this examination. This exam contains test components that might be used on future exams, and your responses could be transferred to that exam.

TEST PREPARATION :

We provide study guides and other test preparation resources to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While the guides may help in preparing for the test, we recommend reviewing all related materials that seem necessary.

• Various information can be found on our website at https://hr.lacounty.gov/job-search-toolkit/ . The section dedicated to test preparation is "Employment Test Assistance."
• Online practice tests are available at https://www.shldirect.com/en-us/practice-tests .
• You can also visit our Los Angeles County Online Assessment Preparation Series webpage at https://lacounty.attract.neogov.com/la-county-online-assessments-prep-series for information about common online assessment types, sample questions, and test-taking tips.

SPECIAL INFORMATION

BACKGROUND CHECK AND MEDICAL EXAMINATION :

Candidates who are extended a conditional offer of employment will be required to complete a criminal background check, including a fingerprint scan, followed by a medical examination. A candidate with a conviction history which has a direct and adverse relationship with the duties of the Fire Dispatcher I position may have their conditional offer of employment rescinded and be removed from the certification list pursuant to Civil Service Rule 6.04.

In addition, candidates must successfully complete a medical examination and be able to perform all of the essential functions of the Fire Dispatcher I classification. A candidate who does not successfully complete a medical examination or is unable to perform all of the essential functions of the Fire Dispatcher I classification may have their conditional offer of employment rescinded and be removed from the certification list pursuant to Civil Service Rule 6.04.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION AND VACANCY INFORMATION :

Applicants who passed the assessment(s) are placed on a list for a period of 12 months. We will use this list to fill vacancies in the Fire Department as they occur.

AVAILABLE SHIFT :

Any shift - Appointees must be willing to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION :

We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates.

Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employer's name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed.

We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information could result in refusal of application or rescission of appointment. Copying verbiage from the Requirements or class specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and may lead to disqualification.

We will send notifications to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. If you choose to unsubscribe or opt out from receiving our emails, it is possible to view notices by logging into governmentjobs.com and checking the profile inbox. It is every applicant's responsibility to take steps to view correspondence, and we will not consider claims of missing notices to be a valid reason for re-scheduling an exam part. Register the below domains as approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk mail.

• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• fire.lacounty.gov
• hr.lacounty.gov

New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address and can be done at any time by logging in to www.governmentjobs.com and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses.

Notice of Non-acceptance and Final Result letters will be sent via email. Test scores cannot be given over the phone.

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS :

If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, contact the Testing Accommodations Coordinator at

[email protected] . Please note that you may be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation.

Department Contact Name: Fire Examination Section
Department Contact Phone: (213) 466-5500
Department Contact Email: [email protected]
Teletype Phone: (800) 735-2929
Alternate Teletype Phone: (800) 897-0077
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922

For detailed information, please click here

Closing Date/Time: 8/7/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$54,648.00 - $73,644.00 Annually