Just a friendly reminder: the translation may not be perfectly accurate. We recommend giving it a quick review. Thank you!
NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS)

ZOHRAN KWAME MAMDANI
Mayor

      DEPARTMENT OF CITYWIDE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
BUREAU OF EXAMINATIONS

YUME KITASEI
Commissioner

NOTICE OF EXAMINATION

       Police Communications Technician
      Exam No. 7307

When To Apply:

From: 

September 2, 2026

To:

October 13, 2026

Application Fee: $68.00

Paying by credit, debit, or gift card incurs a nonrefundable 2.00% service fee. 

The application fee may be waived for: New York City high school students, first-time test takers, veterans, unemployed individuals, and those receiving public assistance or supplementary security income.

THE TEST DATE: Multiple-choice testing is expected to begin on Monday, November 16, 2026.

  YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR READING THIS ENTIRE NOTICE
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION.

 

WHAT THE JOB INVOLVES:

Police Communications Technicians, working under direct supervision in the Police Department Communications Section, serve as 911 call-takers; obtain necessary information from callers in order to initiate emergency assistance; serve as radio dispatchers of police resources; view pictures, videos and listen to audio attachments sent via "Text to 911"; and perform clerical, administrative and other duties related to the provision of emergency service. All Police Communications Technicians perform related work.

Special Working Conditions:

Police Communications Technicians will be required to work various tours around the clock, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Police Communications Technicians will be required on occasion to work overtime tours depending on the needs of the Department. Some of the physical activities performed by Police Communications Technicians and environmental conditions experienced are: sitting for extended periods of time with a headset on while monitoring a computer screen; typing information into the computer using a computer keyboard; coordinating eye/hand movements while handling emergency calls for the efficient use of console and computer; speaking calmly and clearly in order to elicit information and giving instructions to a continuous flow of callers under stress; listening carefully to clearly understand emergency information; making responsible judgments where timing is critical; and sitting within hearing distance of other call-takers working under similar conditions.
(This is a brief description of what you might do in this position and does not include all the duties of this position.)

THE SALARY:

The current minimum salary is $51,790 per annum. This rate is subject to change.

HOW TO QUALIFY:

You may be given the test before we verify your qualifications. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the education and experience requirements for the examination before submitting your application. If you are deemed "Not Qualified," your application fee will not be refunded and you will not receive an Admission Notice or score.

As per Section 54(2) of the Civil Service Law, the education requirement needed to qualify must be met by October 13, 2027. The experience requirement needed to qualify must be met by the last day of the Application Period (October 13, 2026).

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and

  1. one year of satisfactory full-time experience performing clerical, typing, or secretarial work; or
  2. one year of satisfactory full-time experience dealing with the public, including the obtaining of information from persons; or
  3. the successful completion of 30 college semester credits from an accredited college or university; or
  4. two years of active U.S. military duty with honorable discharge; or

2. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience that is equivalent to 1(a), 1(b), 1(c), or 1(d) above. However, all candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.

The high school diploma or its educational equivalent must be approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization. The college or university must be accredited by regional, national, professional, or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

If you were educated outside the United States, you must have your foreign education evaluated to determine its equivalence to education obtained in the United States. You will receive instructions from the Police Department during the pre-employment screening process regarding the approved evaluation services that you may use for foreign education.

 

Medical and Psychological Assessment: Medical and psychological guidelines have been established for the position of Police Communications Technician. You will be examined to determine whether you can perform the essential functions of a Police Communications Technician. Additionally, you will be expected to continue to perform the essential functions of a Police Communications Technician throughout your career, and may, therefore, be medically and psychologically tested periodically throughout your career. Where appropriate, a reasonable accommodation will be provided for a person with a disability to enable him or her to take these medical and psychological examinations, and/or to perform the essential functions of the job.

Drug Screening Requirement:

You must pass a drug screening in order to be appointed.

Residency:

City residency is not required for this position.

English Requirement:

You must be able to understand and be understood in English.

Proof of Identity:

Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, you must be able to prove your identity and your right to obtain employment in the United States prior to employment with an agency under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner, Department of Citywide Administrative Services.

HOW TO APPLY:

Apply through the Online Application System (OASys) at www.nyc.gov/examsforjobs. Follow the onscreen application instructions to submit your application and payment. A valid email address is required. Free email accounts are available from Google, Yahoo!, AOL, Outlook.com, or Mail.com.

New OASys accounts must be verified to confirm your email address is valid and that you have access to the email account. You will receive a confirmation email from OASys to confirm your account upon registering for your OASys account. If any issues arise, contact DCAS at nyc.gov/CivilServiceNowNYC and select the applicable subject. If you do not receive the confirmation email, check your spam or junk mail folder before contacting DCAS.

You can pay with major credit cards, bank cards, or prepaid debit cards with a credit card logo. Veterans and individuals receiving certain public assistance may qualify for a fee waiver. For more information on eligibility and required documentation, visit the Fee Waiver FAQs on OASys at https://a856-exams.nyc.gov/OASysWeb/faqs.

You may come to the DCAS Computer-based Testing & Application Centers to apply for this examination online.

The centers will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM:

Manhattan Brooklyn Queens
2 Lafayette Street 210 Joralemon Street 118-35 Queens Boulevard
17th Floor 4th Floor 5th Floor
New York, NY 10007 Brooklyn, NY 11201 Forest Hills, NY 11375
Staten Island Bronx
135 Canal Street 1932 Arthur Avenue
3rd Floor 2nd Floor
Staten Island, NY 10304 Bronx, NY 10457
 
The DCAS Computer-based Testing & Application Centers will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026 and Monday, October 12, 2026.
 
 

Application Receipt:

After applying for the examination through the Online Application System (OASys), expect an immediate receipt via email. If you don't see it, be sure to check your Junk, Trash, or Spam folders. Alternatively, you can view a summary of your application status on your OASys Dashboard under "Notifications."
 
If you still can't find the email, contact DCAS at nyc.gov/CivilServiceNowNYC and select the applicable subject. Include your exam number and profile number for easier identification. Also, verify that your email address in your profile is accurate and up to date. Finally, add OASys@dcas.nyc.gov to your known senders to ensure you receive all important communications.

Special Circumstances Guide:

This Guide provides instructions for requesting alternate test dates for religious observances, how to apply for disability accommodations, Legacy credit, and address changes. Following the relevant instructions in the guide is crucial when filling out the "Application for Examination." Guide Link: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/employment/nyc-dcas-special-circumstances-guide.pdf

Civil Service Guidance for Veterans:

There are a range of benefits available to eligible veterans in their civil service careers. Specifically, veterans and disabled veterans may be eligible for application fee waivers, preference credits, make-up exams, retroactive seniority, and age deduction where the exam has maximum age requirements. Review the Civil Service Guidance for Veterans at: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/employment/faqs-for-veterans.pdf

PENALTY FOR MISREPRESENTATION:

Any intentional misrepresentation on the application or examination may result in disqualification, even after appointment, and may result in criminal prosecution.

REQUIRED INFORMATION:


Application for Examination: Follow the online instructions, including those relating to the payment of fee and, if applicable, those found in the Special Circumstances Guide.



THE TEST:

The multiple-choice test for the Police Communications Technician position will be given at a computer terminal. Your score on this test will be used to determine your place on an eligible list. You must achieve a score of at least 70% to pass the test.

The multiple-choice test is designed to assess the extent to which candidates have certain abilities determined to be important to the performance of the tasks of a Police Communications Technician 

The test may also include questions requiring the use of any of the following abilities:

Deductive Reasoning: applying general rules to specific problems and coming up with logical answers. It involves deciding if an answer makes sense. Example: A Police Communications Technician might use this ability to determine what unit to dispatch when a caller reports hearing strange sounds coming from the apartment next door.
 
Inductive Reasoning: combining separate pieces of information, or specific answers to problems, to form general rules or conclusions. It involves the ability to think of possible reasons for why things go together. Example: A Police Communications Technician might use this ability to interpret departmental guidelines when inputting data into the computer-based emergency response system.
 
Information Ordering: correctly following a rule or set of rules or actions in a certain order. The rule or set of rules used must be given. The things or actions to be put in order can include numbers, letters, words, pictures, procedures, sentences, and mathematical or logical operations. Example: A Police Communications Technician might use this ability to follow protocol when reporting information about a specific emergency situation to related departments.
 
Memorization: remembering information, such as words, numbers, pictures and procedures. Pieces of information can be remembered by themselves or with other pieces of information. Example: A Police Communications Technician might use this ability when recalling the location of a robbery.
 
Problem Sensitivity: being able to tell when something is wrong or likely to go wrong. It includes being able to identify the whole problem as well as elements of the problem. Example: A Police Communications Technician might use this ability to determine the critical nature when a caller is having difficulty describing his/her emergency.
 
Written Comprehension: understanding written sentences and paragraphs. Example: A Police Communications Technician might use this ability to interpret departmental operations/regulations and carry out related procedures.
 
Written Expression: using English words or sentences in writing so that others will understand. Example: A Police Communications Technician might use this ability when recording pertinent information received from a caller.

Certain questions may need to be answered on the basis of documents or other information supplied to the candidates on the date of the multiple-choice exam.

EXAM SITE ADMISSION:

Your Admission Notice will be available on your Dashboard in OASys 14 days before the first date on which testing is expected to begin. Test site assignments will take your address into consideration, but nearness to your address cannot be guaranteed.

Warning: The use of electronic devices at the test site is strictly prohibited. This includes phones, smart watches, cameras, e-cigarettes, vape pens and/or other portable media or electronic devices. Any of these items brought to the test site will be placed in a Yondr pouch and sealed until after the exam event (Examination, Protest Review Session, TVB session). Headphones and earbuds are also not allowed. The use of calculators are not permitted on this exam. If you use any prohibited devices or remove them from your Yondr pouch without authorization-whether in the testing area, restroom, hallway, or any other location-you will have your test score nullified, be barred from taking civil service tests for up to five years and forfeit your application fee.

If you have a medical assistive device that sends alerts or vibrates, you must obtain written authorization from DCAS to use it during the test. To request authorization, contact DCAS at testingaccommodations@dcas.nyc.gov. Furthermore, you cannot bring anyone with you while being processed or taking the test, and no one is allowed to wait for you inside the Computer-based Testing & Application Center during the exam.

Required Identification: To enter the test site, you must bring one valid (non-expired) ID that includes both your signature and photo. The name on your ID must match the first and last name used in your exam application. If you fail to provide an acceptable form of identification, you may be denied entry to the test. Acceptable forms of identification (bring one) are as follows: State issued driver's license, City or State issued identification card, IDNYC, US Government issued Passport, US Government issued Military Identification Card, US Government issued Alien Registration Card, Employer ID with photo, or Student ID with photo.

Leaving: After completing your test, you must leave the test site immediately. If you exit the site after being fingerprinted but before finishing the test, you will not be allowed to re-enter. Ignoring this instruction and attempting to re-enter could result in not receiving your test results, nullification of your test score, and forfeiture of your application fee.

CHANGE OF MAILING ADDRESS, EMAIL ADDRESS, AND/OR TELEPHONE NUMBER:

It is essential to promptly notify DCAS of any changes to your mailing address, email address, or phone number. Without your correct contact information, you may miss important updates regarding your exam(s), appointment considerations, or critical information that requires a timely response. To update your contact information, follow these steps:
  • City Employees: update your information in NYCAPS Employee Self-Service (ESS) at www.nyc.gov/ess
  • All Others: Log into your OASys account at www.nyc.gov/examsforjobs, navigate to your Dashboard, and update your Profile page.

CHANGE OF NAME AND/OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

To change your name and/or social security number with DCAS, use the Data Correction Form and follow all instructions provided. You can access the DCAS Data Correction Form at the following link: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/employment/dp148a.pdf.

THE TEST RESULTS:


If you pass the multiple-choice test, your name will be placed on an eligible list in final score order. You will receive a list number and be notified of your test results via email. This eligible list determines the order of candidates considered for appointment, usually active for four years.

For more information about the civil service system, visit: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dcas/employment/more-about-civil-service.page.

If you believe your test was rated incorrectly, you can appeal your score to DCAS, Committee on Manifest Errors, using the Online Application System (OASys). Your appeal must clearly state the reasons for requesting a higher score and may result in a different rating.


SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS:

Late Filing:

If you are currently provisionally employed by the City of New York, consult your agency's Personnel Officer/Human Resources to determine the procedure for filing a late application if you meet one or more of the following conditions:

  • You are provisionally employed in the title for which the examination is administered and were absent from work for at least one-half of the application period and cannot apply for reasons such as vacation, sick leave, or military duty; or
  • You were appointed provisionally to the title for which the examination is administered after the application period closed but before the date on which testing is expected to begin.

Make-up Test:

You may apply for a make-up test if you cannot take the test on the regular test date(s) for any of the following reasons:

  1. being ordered to military duty; or
  2. compulsory attendance before a court or other public body or official having the power to compel attendance; or
  3. on-the-job injury or illness caused by municipal employment where you are an officer or employee of the City; or
  4. absence from the test within one week after the death of a spouse, domestic partner, parent, parent-in-law, sibling, child or child of a domestic partner where you are an officer or employee of the City; or
  5. a clear error for which the Department of Citywide Administrative Services or the examining agency is responsible; or
  6. a temporary disability; or
  7. pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition.

To request a make-up test, contact Administration, Customer, and Exam Support (ACES) by email at testingaccommodations@dcas.nyc.gov, as soon as possible, and include documentation of the special circumstances that caused you to miss your test.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Selective Certification for Spanish (SPA): If you can speak Spanish, you may be considered for appointment to positions requiring this ability through a process called Selective Certification. If you pass a qualifying test, you may be given preferred consideration for positions requiring this ability. Follow the instructions given to you on the day of the multiple-choice test to indicate your interest in such Selective Certification.
The above Selective Certification requirements may be met at anytime during the duration of the list. If you meet this requirement at some future date, please submit a request by contacting DCAS via the following link: nyc.gov/CivilServiceNowNYC using the "Selective Certification" subject. Please include the examination title and number, your full name, OASys Profile ID number, and the selective certification(s) you are requesting in your submission.

Investigation:

The position is subject to investigation before appointment. At the time of investigation, you will be required to pay a $75.00 fee for fingerprint screening. At the time of investigation and at the time of appointment, you must present originals or certified copies of all required documents and proof, including but not limited to proof of date and place of birth by transcript, or other satisfactory evidence, naturalization papers, if necessary, proof of any military service, and proof of meeting educational and experiential requirements, if applicable. You may be disqualified if your statements are found to be false, exaggerated, or misleading or if you fail to provide required documents. Investigation must be completed prior to appointment.

Probationary Period:

The probationary period for Police Communications Technician is 18 months. You will be required to pass a 911 emergency call-taker training course and a radio dispatcher training course. If you fail to successfully complete the training courses, you will be terminated.

Translation Notice:

This document is provided in English. Solely for convenience, Google Translate is offered to provide machine-generated translations to other languages. The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any machine-generated translation and shall not be liable for any errors or omissions arising from the use of such translations. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the translated version and the English version, the English version will control and prevail.

READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

The General Examination Regulations of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) apply to this examination and are part of this Notice of Examination. They are posted at nyc.gov/dcas and copies are available at the DCAS Computer-based Testing & Application Centers.

The City of New York is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Title Code No. 71012. Police Communications Technician Occupational Group.
For information about other exams, and your exam or list status, call 212-669-1357.
Internet: nyc.gov/dcas