AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: YVETTE AGUILAR
DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
PATRICK MATSON
INTERIM HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
SUBJECT: RESOLUTIONS ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY’S CLASSIFICATION PLAN AND PART-TIME SALARY SCHEDULE TO INCLUDE/ADD THE CLASS SPECIFICATION OF POLICE DISPATCHER
Summary:
Staff recommends an amendment to the City’s Classification Plan to add a Police Dispatcher Classification to the part-time schedule. Staff proposes these amendments in response to the Police Department’s current operational needs and the immediate staffing demands of its dispatch operation. Creating a separate Police Dispatcher classification that could provide services on a part-time basis would provide greater flexibility in recruitment and reduce the lead time associated with filling dispatch vacancies. Unlike the existing full-time Dispatcher/Jailer classification, the proposed part-time Police Dispatcher position would require completion of California P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certified dispatch training but would not require completion of the Core Correctional Officers Course associated with the jail operations, allowing for the filling of emergent operation needs in the dispatch operations center. This distinction is intended to broaden the pool of qualified candidates and allow the City to respond more efficiently to immediate dispatch staffing needs.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
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Goal No. 2 |
Community Safety: Maintain community safety by supporting public safety services and increasing emergency preparedness. |
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Goal No. 5 |
Strengthen internal communication, recruitment, retention, systems, and processes to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of City services |
recommendation
Recommendation:
1. Adopt a Resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE CITY’S CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLAN TO INCLUDE/ADD THE CLASS SPECIFICATION OF POLICE DISPATCHER.
2. Adopt a Resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING SALARY RANGES FOR HOURLY, PART-TIME EMPLOYEES, AND REPEALING ALL PRIOR RESOLUTIONS
end
Fiscal Impact:
The proposed part-time Police Dispatcher classification would have an hourly wage range of $32.89 to $41.98. The part-time position is intended to support existing full-time vacancies and would not exceed the FY 2026-2027 budget allocation for Police Dispatch personnel.
Background:
The City maintains a Classification and Compensation Plan (Plan) that identifies City classifications and the duties and qualifications associated with each position. The Police Department relies on dispatch personnel to receive, and process calls for service, dispatch police and other emergency units, maintain communications with field personnel, and operate specialized dispatch and law enforcement information systems.
The existing full-time Dispatcher/Jailer classification encompasses dispatch responsibilities and correctional duties, with associated training and certification requirements. These requirements can lengthen the time necessary to recruit and place qualified personnel into dispatch assignments. In particular, requiring candidates to complete both California P.O.S.T.-certified dispatch training and the Core Correctional Officers Course can limit the pool of available candidates and create additional lead time in addressing immediate staffing needs.
On September 1, 2026, City and Police Department management met and conferred with the Signal Hill Employees’ Association (SHEA) to discuss strategic opportunities to address operational challenges resulting from Dispatcher/Jailer vacancies. SHEA representatives proposed the idea of exploring a part-time Police Dispatcher classification to allow candidates that are qualified for dispatcher duties to assist on a limited basis, while actively continuing to recruit for full-time Dispatcher/Jailers.
To address these operational challenges, staff proposes establishing a Police Dispatcher classification focused only on public safety communications. The proposed change would add a new classification alongside the current Dispatcher/ Jailer classification. The proposed classification would require California P.O.S.T.-certified dispatch training but would not require completion of the Core Correctional Officers Course. This distinction would allow the City to recruit candidates specifically for dispatch duties without requiring the additional correctional training associated with the Dispatcher/Jailer classification.
Analysis:
Proposed Police Dispatcher Classification
The Police Department has identified an operational need for a Police Dispatcher classification to support emergency communications and dispatch operations. The proposed classification is responsible for receiving and processing emergency and non-emergency calls, determining the nature and priority of calls, dispatching police and other emergency units, maintaining field unit status information, operating computer-aided dispatch systems, accessing authorized law enforcement databases, and coordinating with other public safety agencies.
The current Compensation Plan has a Dispatcher/Jailer classification, however, the operational needs of the Police Department, coupled with the lead time associated with recruiting and qualifying candidates for the existing classification, have highlighted the need for a separate part-time Police Dispatcher classification, allowing for a more expeditious process by eliminating the requirements associated with the jailer component of the job duties.
Unlike the Dispatcher/Jailer classification, the proposed Police Dispatcher classification would not require completion of the Core Correctional Officers Course. The Police Dispatcher classification would retain the requirement to successfully complete California P.O.S.T.-certified dispatch training within the initial 12 months, as required by the class specification. This distinction would allow the City to recruit candidates specifically for dispatch responsibilities without requiring additional correctional-related training that is not necessary for the proposed position.
Amendment to the Classification and Compensation Plan (Attachments A & B)
The first proposed resolution amends the City’s Classification and Compensation Plan to add the Police Dispatcher classification and adopt the corresponding class specification, attached as Exhibit A to the resolution. The classification establishes the position’s duties and responsibilities, minimum qualifications, required training, and other employment requirements. Adoption of the resolution would formally recognize Police Dispatcher as a classification within the City’s plan, effective October 27, 2026.
Amendment to the Part-Time Salary Schedule (Attachments C & D)
The second proposed resolution amends the City’s Part-Time Salary Schedule to establish a salary range for the Police Dispatcher position. The proposed hourly salary range is $32.89 to $41.98, with six salary steps ranging from approximately $32.89 per hour at Step A to $41.98 per hour at Step F.
Adding the position to the Part-Time Salary Schedule would establish the compensation range applicable to the classification and provide a framework for setting an employee’s specific hourly rate within the approved range, consistent with the City’s established procedures. The proposed salary schedule amendment is also effective October 27, 2026.
Requested City Council Action:
Approval of both resolutions is necessary to implement the proposed classification and compensation changes. The first resolution establishes the Police Dispatcher classification within the City’s Classification and Compensation Plan, while the second establishes the corresponding hourly wage range within the Part-Time Salary Schedule. The proposed addition of a part-time Dispatcher position does not increase the City’s number of full-time positions nor does it increase the police department budget for these services. Together, these proposed actions would provide the administrative and compensation framework needed for the City to recruit and fill Police Dispatcher staffing needs more efficiently.
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt both proposed resolutions to support the Police Department’s staffing needs and provide the necessary classification and compensation structure for the position.
Reviewed for Fiscal Impact:
Siamlu Cox
Attachments:
A. Resolution Amending the Classification and Compensation Plan to Add the Police Dispatcher Classification
B. Exhibit A - Police Dispatcher Class Specification
C. Resolution Amending the Part-Time Salary Schedule to Add the Police Dispatcher Classification
D. Exhibit A - Part-Time Salary Schedule