The History Exists: How & When Do We Teach Queer Narratives?
"What do I know? Who needs to know? Have I told them?” - Jim Mattis
Some stories are like scaffolding. They are not the whole building, but without them, nothing sturdy ever gets off the ground. The art of teaching LGBTQ+ history to children is less about “all the facts now” and more about building that scaffolding in age-appropriate layers that can hold more truth every year a student grows. When we do this well, we are not just filling in historical gaps; we are showing every student that people like them have always existed, contributed, and mattered, which quietly rewires what they believe is possible for their own lives. By threading Queer stories into the larger human story, we are not only giving LGBTQ+ students a mirror, we are teaching all students that dignity, courage, and complexity are not “special topics,” but the basic materials of history itself.
If we treat Queer history the way we already treat topics like war, slavery, or colonialism, the path becomes clearer. You start with names, faces, courage, creativity, and service. Later you add the complexities of identity, discrimination, resistance, and joy. The destination is honesty. The journey is carefully staged.
Teaching the person first, the identity later
Think about how we already talk to elementary students about George Washington. They meet the general, the first president, the leader who helped create a country. Only later do they discover that the cherry-tree story is made up and that his world was soaked in slavery and conflict. The early version is not a lie in itself. It is a simplified slice of the truth, meant to be expanded, corrected, and complicated over time.
You can use this same pattern to teach Queer history. For younger students, you spotlight the achievement, the courage, the service to others, the doors opened. In middle and high school, you begin to layer in how gender identity, sexuality, and social prejudice shaped those same lives. The key is intentional omission at first, followed by intentional addition later. You are not hiding the full story. You are staging it.
A practical rule of thumb for K–5 classrooms is this: if you can explain why a person matters without referencing romantic or sexual relationships at all, you can introduce that person to young students right away. For later grades, you revisit those same figures and add the missing pieces around gender and sexuality, discrimination and resilience, community and culture. By the time students graduate, they have heard the same names multiple times, each time with more context, nuance, and honesty.
Dr. Margaret “Mom” Chung: building from “first doctor” to Queer trailblazer
In the early grades, Dr Margaret “Mom” Chung can be introduced in simple, vivid terms. She was the first known American-born Chinese woman physician, growing up in California at a time when it was extremely hard for Chinese Americans and women to become doctors at all. She opened one of the first Western-style clinics in San Francisco’s Chinatown and treated families who often had nowhere else to go for medical care.
You can tell younger children that she became “Mom” to thousands of American servicemen during World War II, many of whom she informally “adopted” as her sons. She helped them feel cared for, wrote to them, fed them, and celebrated them when they came home. She also helped support efforts like Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services, which opened more space for women to participate in the Navy and paved the way for women’s broader integration into the armed forces.
In middle and high school, you circle back. Now students are ready for questions like: What did it mean to be a Chinese American woman in medicine when racism and sexism were embedded in law and daily life. How did Dr Chung’s gender expression and close relationships with women and men challenge norms of her day. Older students can examine how later historians and community members have read her life through Queer lenses, including how her presentation blended masculine and feminine traits and how she moved through social spaces that were often hostile to both Asian Americans and LGBTQ+ people.
The person you first met in elementary school as a caring doctor becomes, in later grades, a case study in intersectionality, identity, and resistance. The name stays the same. The story deepens.
Baron von Steuben: from “military coach” to Queer icon
For younger learners, Baron Friedrich von Steuben can be presented as the brilliant military trainer who helped turn a struggling group of Revolutionary War soldiers at Valley Forge into a disciplined army. You can describe him as the person who wrote one of the first drill manuals for the United States and helped shape what eventually became the modern American military.
This version emphasizes leadership, teaching, and problem-solving. He arrives in a desperate situation, studies what is not working, and designs clear training that everyone can follow. He becomes a model for “the coach who changed the game.” There is no need to mention sexual orientation to a seven-year-old in order for this to be meaningful.
In high school, the story grows up alongside the students. Now you can invite them to consider his life as a Queer man in the eighteenth century. Modern historians widely accept that von Steuben would be understood as a gay man today, pointing to accusations about his relationships with men and his close male companions who lived and worked with him. You can connect this to questions of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the ongoing debates about LGBTQ+ people serving openly in the military.
When students have already met von Steuben as a key architect of the American armed forces, learning that he was likely Queer reframes everything. Instead of “an extra controversial detail,” his sexuality becomes part of a bigger conversation about who has always been defending and building the country, even when the country refused to fully accept them. Once again, the same name reappears across the years. The story starts as courage and ends as complexity.
One-Eyed Charley: from daring driver to trans possibility
Charley Parkhurst, known as “One-Eyed Charley,” fits perfectly into the pantheon of adventurous Old West figures that elementary students already love. You can tell younger grades that Charley was a legendary stagecoach driver in the 1800s, famous for bravery, skill, and the ability to navigate dangerous routes full of robbers, wild terrain, and harsh weather.
Children can picture a one-eyed driver racing across dusty roads, handling horses in storms, and delivering mail and passengers safely through real danger. That image alone invites discussions about grit, responsibility, and what it means to be trusted with other people’s lives.
Later, in high school, students can learn that when Charley died in 1879, people discovered Charley had been assigned female at birth and had likely given birth to a child. Newspapers were shocked. Friends refused to believe what the coroner reported. Now Charley’s life can be examined in the context of trans and gender-nonconforming history, where living and working as a man created opportunities and safety that would not have been possible for a woman in that time and place. Students can wrestle with questions about whether Charley should be understood as a trans man, how we speak about people who did not have modern language for their identities, and how Queer people have always been present in the “myths” that define national imagination.
The same story that thrills a ten-year-old becomes, later, a serious conversation about gender, survival, and historical erasure.
How to build this scaffold in real classrooms
All of this can be more than theory. Teachers and school leaders can create a practical ladder for Queer history that respects both developmental readiness and the right to truth. Here is one workable structure.
In early elementary, focus on contribution and humanity. Introduce Dr Chung as a caring doctor and community leader, von Steuben as a brilliant teacher-soldier, Hall as someone caught in strange clothing rules, Parkhurst as a daring driver, and Wakeman as a determined young soldier. Let students see that history includes Chinese American women, immigrants, people of many backgrounds, and lives that do not all look the same. Keep the emphasis on bravery, problem-solving, and service.
In upper elementary and middle school, begin to name unfairness and difference more clearly. Talk about racism, sexism, and the way people who “broke the rules” about gender or behavior were often punished. With careful language, you can start to hint at the fact that some people’s families, friendships, or ways of being in their bodies did not match what society expected. You can use words like “different,” “not accepted,” “treated unfairly,” and “living in a way that felt true to them.”
By high school, bring the full vocabulary. Talk explicitly about gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and gender-expansive identities. Invite primary sources, letters, court records, and modern scholarship into the conversation. Ask students to analyze how historians make sense of limited or biased records, especially for people whose identities were misunderstood or criminalized in their own time. At this stage, Queer history is no longer an optional sidebar. It is part of how you teach about war, medicine, migration, law, and culture.
Throughout, involve parents and caregivers transparently. Share with them that the early-years focus is on diverse heroes and human dignity, not on explicit sexual content, and that the more detailed conversations in later grades are age-appropriate, evidence-based, and rooted in respect. Invite their questions. Let them see the scaffolding, not just the final floor.
When we do this well, we are not just filling in historical gaps; we are showing every student that people like them have always existed, contributed, and mattered, which quietly rewires what they believe is possible for their own lives. By threading Queer stories into the larger human story, we teach that dignity, courage, and complexity are not “special topics,” but the basic materials of history itself.
Coming Out of the Footnotes
In the end, the question is not whether education is “ready” to include Queer history. The history is already here, written into every era by people who loved, led, and risked everything while remaining invisible in the official story. The real question is whether we are willing to stop handing the next generation a half-empty past and start giving them the whole, complicated, beautiful truth.
So let this be a turning point, not a footnote. Choose one figure you already know and reintroduce them with a Queer lens to your students, your colleagues, your community, or your own kids this year. Do not wait for perfect conditions. Take one bold, specific step that makes the past more honest and the future more possible, and let that be the moment when the story they inherit finally starts to match the world they deserve to build.
References
National Park Service. “Dr. Margaret ‘Mom’ Chung.” U.S. National Park Service, updated February 19, 2025.
Wikipedia. “Margaret Chung.”
Columbus Medical Association. “Women’s History Month: Margaret Chung.” March 10, 2021.
Addus HomeCare. “Dr. Margaret Chung: The First American-Born Chinese Woman Physician.” April 30, 2024.
Museum of Flight. “Doctor Mom Chung.” Flight Deck blog, October 30, 2023.
Windy City Times. “Baron von Steuben, ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Franklin to Washington.” September 30, 2013.
YouTube. “The Untold Story of General Baron von Steuben – New Day NW.” September 24, 2023.
EqualityMaine. “Trans History.”
EqualityMaine. “Thomas/Thomasine Hall – 1600s Gender Fluidity in Colonial America.”
OutHistory. “The Fearless Character of One Eyed Charley.”
Reddit. “4 Interesting Trans Men from Throughout History.” r/ftm, September 15, 2021.
History of American Women. “Sarah Rosetta Wakeman.”
More from 3 Topics
Explore related articles on similar topics
Top Paying Jobs in Education, Communication and Speech, and Underserved Populations
Highest paying opportunities related to this article
ABOUT THE ROLE Hutchings Psychiatric Center (HPC), an Office of Mental Health (OMH) Joint Commission accredited hospital in Syracuse, NY, is recruiting an Assistant Director of Nursing 1, Psychiatric (ADON) to serve as the Inpatient Assistant Director of Nursing. This role provides nursing leadership to all nursing staff assigned to HPC's Inpatient units, reporting to the Director of Nursing 3, Psychiatry. HPC is committed to supporting underserved individuals and reducing disparities in access, quality, and treatment for underserved populations. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Assist with the development and implementation of nursing policies and procedures - Monitor the nursing coverage plan for inpatient services - Assist with the recruitment and retention of nursing staff - Contribute to the interpretation of rules, laws, regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures - Monitor and review unit clinical and administrative needs through scheduling - Review and complete performance evaluations and probation reports, and monitor attendance of subordinate staff - Monitor and ensure compliance with various accreditation standards for nursing services, including Joint Commission and CMS Standards - Ensure active treatment and nursing documentation is complete and recorded for each patient - Ensure safe staffing levels related to unit acuity during off tours, weekends, and holidays MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - License and current registration as a registered professional nurse in New York State - 3 years of post-licensure clinical nursing experience working with individuals diagnosed with mental illness, addiction, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities, or individuals in a medical-surgical or long-term care setting - 1 year of this experience must have been at a supervisory level - Substitution: A master's degree in nursing may substitute for one year of post-licensure clinical nursing experience; a doctorate in nursing may substitute for two years - OR for internal State service candidates: 1 year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in a title eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law - OR for non-competitive promotion: 1 year of permanent service as a Registered Nurse Supervisor 1 Psychiatric SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must maintain nursing license and/or registration; failure to do so will result in removal from the position - Cannot be listed as an excluded individual or entity on any Federal and/or State Medicaid and Medicare exclusion lists - May be required to become an enrolled Medicare provider, obtain a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number, and actively participate to allow services to be billed through Medicare and Medicaid - Background checks will be required SELECTION PROCESS - Candidates from outside and within State Service may be considered under the Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement - Statewide (NY HELPS) program - Internal candidates may be considered for transfer or non-competitive promotion if Civil Service Law requirements are met HOW TO APPLY 1. Complete the Office of Mental Health Employment Application (available at https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/employment/docs/employment-application.pdf) 2. Submit the application and other materials by fax or mail 3. Indicate the Title and Location of the position being applied for Contact: Thomas Umina Fax: 315-426-3605 Email: thomas.umina@omh.ny.gov Applications Due: 08/14/2026 EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent - Bargaining Unit: M/C - Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented) - Jurisdictional Class: Competitive Class - Workweek: 40 hours per week, Tuesday - Saturday or Sunday - Thursday with scheduled evening and weekend hours - Location: Hutchings Psychiatric Center, 620 Madison Street, Syracuse, NY 13210 (Onondaga County) - Benefits: NYS medical, dental, and vision insurance, tuition assistance, paid time off (13 vacation days, 5 personal days, 13 holidays, paid sick leave), and NYS Retirement programs - Equal Opportunity Employer: OMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer encouraging applicants with lived mental health experience and diverse backgrounds to apply.
ABOUT THE ROLE The City of Oakland Police Department is seeking a Police Communications Dispatcher for its Communications Division. This full-time civil service role involves receiving approximately one year of on-the-job training and attending a POST-certified basic dispatcher course. Dispatchers work rotating shifts in a 24-hour period, including weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed. The position requires acting promptly, communicating clearly, multi-tasking, and maintaining a calm, professional demeanor under stressful conditions. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Receive and screen telephone calls and record data. - Analyze calls for priority level. - Use computer-aided keyboard and data entry equipment to relay emergency information to appropriate units. - Receive, transmit, and record data. - Run queries in automated warrant information systems. - Answer questions from the public. - Dispatch from a mobile command center as requested. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Education equivalent to graduation from high school. - Two years of recent full-time equivalent responsible work experience (college education may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis). - Minimum typing speed of 35 words per minute. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must be 18 years of age or older. - Must pass a thorough background investigation, including a polygraph, criminal, drug, and credit history checks, and a driving record check. - Must pass the POST Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course within one year of appointment. - Must pass post-offer medical and psychological assessments, including a drug screening. - Select positions may require bilingual skills in Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish, which will be tested prior to a final offer. SELECTION PROCESS 1. Application filing and review against minimum qualifications. 2. Virtual typing assessment (three 5-minute tests, average 35 WPM required). 3. In-person CritiCall Performance Assessment (measures data entry, call summarization, memory recall, map reading, etc.). 4. Placement on an eligible list (active for up to 2 years). 5. Completion of a Personal History Statement and background investigation. 6. Post-offer medical and psychological evaluation. HOW TO APPLY - Apply online only at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oaklandca. - Allow 2-3 hours to submit the application. - Computer stations are available at any City of Oakland Public Library or the Human Resources Management Department (150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612). - For recruitment-specific questions, contact Sherry Chhom at SChhom@oaklandca.gov. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Location: Oakland, CA - Department: Police Department - Job Type: Full Time Civil Service, Non-Exempt - Bargaining Unit: SC1 - Closing Date: Continuous (candidates may apply once every 3 months) - Benefits: CalPERS retirement, full premium health, dental, and vision coverage, 12 days sick leave per year, deferred compensation (457(b) and Roth 401(k)), flexible spending account, wellness program, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, and life insurance up to $200,000.
ABOUT THE ROLE The City of Oakland is seeking experienced Police Dispatchers to join the Oakland Police Department Communications Division. This continuous recruitment targets professionals who can act promptly, logically, and decisively while maintaining a calm demeanor under stress. Dispatchers play a critical role in public safety, directly impacting the community by analyzing needs, making decisions, and addressing issues efficiently and effectively. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Receive and screen telephone calls and record data - Analyze calls for priority level - Use computer-aided keyboard and data entry equipment to relay emergency information to appropriate units - Receive, transmit, and record data - Run queries in automated warrant information systems - Answer questions from the public - Dispatch from a mobile command center, as requested MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Education: Equivalent to graduation from high school - Experience: Three (3) years of full-time responsible work experience as a Dispatcher in a law enforcement environment, with no break in service greater than 36 months prior to application - Age: Must be 18 years of age or older SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - California POST Certification: Applicants working in California must possess a valid Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course Certificate issued by California P.O.S.T. Out-of-state applicants must pass the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course within one year of appointment. - Background Investigation: Must pass a thorough background investigation, polygraph, criminal and drug history checks, credit history check, and medical/psychological assessment. - Bilingual Skills: A select number of positions require bilingual skills in Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish, which will be tested prior to a final offer. SELECTION PROCESS 1. Application Filing: Online application review against minimum qualifications. 2. Eligible List: Qualified candidates are placed on an unranked eligible list, active for up to two years. 3. Department Interview: Candidates on the eligible list are referred to the department for an interview, weighted at 100% of the selection score. 4. Background and Medical: Final candidates undergo a comprehensive background investigation, polygraph, and post-conditional offer medical and psychological assessments. HOW TO APPLY - Applications are accepted online only at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oaklandca. - Candidates may only apply once every three months. - For technical support, contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627. - For recruitment-specific questions, contact Sherry Chhom at SChhom@oaklandca.gov. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Position Type: Full Time Civil Service - FLSA: Non-Exempt - Bargaining Unit: SC1 - Department: Police Department - Location: Oakland, CA - Opening Date: 04/11/2023 - Closing Date: Continuous - Benefits: CalPERS retirement, full premium health, dental, and vision coverage, 12 days sick leave per year, deferred compensation (457(b) and Roth 401(k)), flexible spending account, wellness program, Employee Assistance Program, tuition reimbursement, and life insurance up to $200,000. - Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Oakland values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity.
ABOUT THE ROLE The Englewood Police Department is seeking P.O.S.T. certified or lateral police officers to patrol assigned areas, deter illegal activities, and protect the safety and security of the community. Officers will respond to calls for service, conduct preliminary investigations, enforce traffic laws, and build positive relationships within the community while maintaining high standards of customer service. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Patrol assigned areas to deter illegal activities and preserve safety and security - Respond to calls for service and investigate citizen complaints, including crimes, disturbances, domestic disputes, and accidents - Perform preliminary investigations, interview witnesses and suspects, and collect and preserve physical evidence - Perform traffic enforcement activities and prepare citations or summons for violations - Make arrests, search, book, and transport suspects to holding - Provide sworn testimony in criminal and civil trials and hearings - Prepare routine and non-routine reports and records for daily activities and incidents - Offer assistance, directions, and information to citizens and visitors - Perform other duties as assigned and required MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - High school diploma or GED - Completion of 60 semester hours of college credit from an accredited institution (or obtain within 1 year of appointment), OR a minimum of 4 years of active military service with an Honorable Discharge - Colorado P.O.S.T. certification, currently enrolled in a Colorado P.O.S.T. approved academy, or fully certified in another state with a minimum of 1 year of service within the last 3 years (qualifies for provisional Colorado POST certificate) - Valid Colorado driver's license (or obtain within 30 days of residing in Colorado) with a clear or acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) - At least 21 years of age SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must pass pre-offer and post-offer/hire processes: interviews, reference checks, background checks (local police, DMV, sex-offender registry), polygraph or CVSA, pre- and post-psychological exams, drug screen, peer sit-along, and CBI/FBI fingerprint checks - Cannot have been convicted of a felony or disqualifying misdemeanor per NCIC/CCIC policy - Physical ability to protect oneself and others in threatening and stressful situations, including pursuing, subduing, and controlling resisting individuals - Ability to work in an environment of emotional and mental stress due to emergency situations SELECTION PROCESS 1. Online application and National Testing Network (NTN) Police Officer Written Exam 2. Placement on an eligibility list for candidates attaining a passing score and meeting agency requirements 3. Further hiring steps including in-person or virtual interviews, reference checks, comprehensive background checks, polygraph/CVSA, psychological exams, drug screening, and medical evaluation HOW TO APPLY - Complete an online application - Complete the Police Officer Written Exam via the National Testing Network (NTN) at www.nationaltestingnetwork.com (select 'Find Jobs', then 'Law Enforcement Jobs', then Englewood Police Department) - If a passing NTN test was completed within 1 year, email policerecruiting@englewoodco.gov to arrange score transfer (applicant is responsible for transfer fees, though assistance may be available upon request) EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Position Type: Full-Time - Location: Englewood, CO 80110, USA - Job Category: Police - Application Deadline: Ongoing basis
ABOUT THE ROLE Under general supervision, the Lateral Police Officer patrols an assigned beat to prevent crime and enforce law and order. Reporting to a Police Sergeant, Lieutenant, or Watch Commander, this entering-level law enforcement class responds to emergencies, investigates incidents, and may be assigned to specialized units such as detective work, field training, or task forces. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Patrol assigned areas by automobile, motorcycle, or foot to enforce laws and regulations. - Respond to radio dispatches and telephone instructions, appearing at scenes of disorder or crime. - Investigate and prepare reports on accidents, offenses, property damage, and suspicious activities. - Make arrests, issue citations, give verbal warnings, and direct traffic. - Intervene in private and public disputes to protect the public and maintain order. - Appear in court and transport prisoners. - Participate in training conferences, public service presentations, and community relations programs. - Accept special assignments in police detective work, field training, dispatching, photo lab, evidence room, or other duties as directed by supervising personnel. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Graduation from High School or G.E.D. - Currently enrolled in, or holding a certificate of completion from, a POST-certified Basic Academy, OR currently employed as a Police Officer with a California law enforcement agency and possessing a California POST Basic Certificate. - Knowledge of good English usage, vocabulary, written communications, report-writing, and record-keeping. - Ability to learn laws of arrest, use and care of firearms and vehicles, investigative techniques, and meet California Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) minimum standards. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Possession of a valid California driver's license and proof of insurability. - Ability to lift, pull, and drag heavy objects up to 165 pounds. - Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, including cold, wet, hot, and extreme sun exposure. SELECTION PROCESS 1. Application screening, which requires uploading a POST or Academy Certificate. 2. POST Physical Agility test (exempt if currently enrolled in a POST academy or graduated within six months; required if currently employed with a police agency or graduated over six months ago). 3. Oral Interview (standard in-person panel interview). 4. Placement on an eligibility list for Police Officer upon successful completion of prior steps. HOW TO APPLY - Complete the online application and upload a copy of your POST or Academy Certificate to the application attachments. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Location: 5111 Benito Street, Montclair, CA - Department: Police Department - Job Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt - Bargaining Unit: MPOA - Closing Date: Continuous - The City of Montclair is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
ABOUT THE ROLE The City of Montclair Fire Department is seeking a Lateral Firefighter (Paramedic) to respond to fire alarms, rescue, and emergency calls. This role protects life and property, assists in fire prevention inspections, participates in training, and maintains fire stations and equipment. The position reports to a Company Fire Captain or Battalion Chief and involves working 24-hour rotating shifts, with readiness for emergency recall and advancement through special training. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Respond to alarms, lay hose, fight fires, ventilate buildings, and direct streams of water - Perform cleanup and salvage work after fires or emergencies - Rescue endangered persons and administer first aid - Operate fire trucks, resuscitators, and other apparatus - Assist in maintenance, upkeep, and repairs to fire department apparatus and equipment - Inspect commercial and residential structures for compliance with fire prevention laws and codes - Maintain fire stations and grounds - Attend drills, classes, and study applicable technical publications - Make necessary written and oral reports and maintain records - Periodically perform in acting positions above classification on a short-term basis - Assist in higher-level collateral responsibilities such as recording, research, and development - Assist in administering public school specialized educational programs and public relations activities MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - High school diploma or G.E.D. (preferably supplemented by course work in Fire Science) - Graduation from a California State Fire Marshal Accredited Fire Academy OR possess a California State Fire Marshal Accredited Firefighter I certificate (IFSAC or Pro-Board seals accepted for out-of-state/DoD) - Currently, or within the past 12 months, employed as a Firefighter/Paramedic with a state, county, special district, or municipal fire agency for a minimum of 12 consecutive months - Knowledge of elementary mathematics, physics, chemistry, mechanics, first aid techniques, fire fighting codes, city and departmental policies, and equipment operation - Ability to read technical manuals, learn fire fighting principles, follow directions under stress, work effectively as a team, and communicate courteously SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Valid Class C California driver's license and proof of insurability (Class A or B supersedes) - Current and valid Paramedic license - ACLS certification - Current and valid Basic Life Support (CPR) for Healthcare Provider card - Physical demands: ability to sit, stand, and walk for up to two hours; reach, grasp, twist, turn, bend, climb, stoop, kneel, squat, run, and jump; lift, drag, and pull heavy objects up to 150 pounds; work outdoors in all weather conditions SELECTION PROCESS 1. Application screening based on required licenses, certificates, experience, training, and education. 2. Written examination (multiple choice, pass/fail, 70% required, sourced from IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting 7th Edition). 3. Structured oral interview and paramedic assessment (weighted 50% each, 70% or higher required on each section). 4. Placement on an eligibility list. 5. Fire Chief's oral interview. 6. Final appointment by City Manager upon Fire Chief's recommendation. 7. Thorough background investigation and pre-employment physical (including drug screening). HOW TO APPLY Complete an online application and respond to supplemental questions. Upload proof of all required licenses and certificates under the Attachments section: 1. High school diploma/GED or college degree (transcripts showing equivalency accepted) 2. Firefighter I certification (California Office of the Fire Marshal State Fire Training, IFSAC, or Pro Board) 3. Current and Valid Paramedic License 4. Valid Class C Driver's license (or Class A/B) 5. ACLS Certification 6. Basic Life Support (CPR) for Healthcare Provider card Note: Failure to provide proof of required documents may lead to disqualification. Station visits or contacting employees during recruitment is not permitted. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Position Type: Full-Time - FLSA: Non-Exempt - Bargaining Unit: MFFA - Department: Fire Department - Location: 5111 Benito Street, Montclair, CA - Employer: City of Montclair - Work Schedule: Stated number of 24-hour rotating shifts per year, may be assigned a special 40-hour work week. Subject to recall at any time. - Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Montclair is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
ABOUT THE ROLE The Glendora Police Department seeks enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join the first responder team as a 911 Police Dispatcher. The ideal candidate has strong multi-tasking skills, remains calm during stressful situations, and possesses outstanding customer service, communication, and data entry skills. Under general supervision, the role involves receiving requests for law enforcement services, dispatching units via radio, maintaining contact with field personnel, and completing related forms and data entry. This is a continuous recruitment, and applications are accepted on an ongoing basis as vacancies arise. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Receive requests for police or emergency services over the phone and other technology, including answering 911 calls - Screen incoming calls to determine necessity, priority, and type of response required - Monitor other radio frequencies and building cameras to be aware of incidents affecting City police operations - Dispatch police and animal control units in response to calls or requests from field officers - Use law enforcement terminology and cite Code sections by number - Call public and private agencies (allied law enforcement, hospitals, towing services, utilities) for mutual assistance when necessary - Act as a liaison to other City Departments - Keep track of police unit locations and status; maintain constant radio communication with personnel in the field MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Graduation from high school or equivalent (or any combination of education and experience providing the required knowledge and abilities) - Considerable knowledge of office procedures, record-keeping systems, forms, correspondence, and reports common to police department operations - Knowledge of police dispatching procedures and laws/regulations governing dispatching equipment - Knowledge of agencies involved with police activities, Penal Code, Vehicle Code, and local municipal code - Knowledge of 911 systems, TDD Deaf Translation System, Text to 911, and computerized systems used in municipal law enforcement SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Completion of a P.O.S.T. approved entry-level Police Dispatcher basic training course prior to completion of the probationary period - Possession and maintenance of a valid Class C California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record - Ability to type 45 net WPM. A typing certificate indicating 45 WPM and dated within the last 12 months from the application date is required. Internet typing certificates are not accepted. - Willingness and availability to work weekends, holidays, and nights on a routine scheduled basis - Applicants may not apply for this position more than once in a six-month period - Must pass an extensive law enforcement background check - Must pass a urinalysis drug test (positive results are grounds for disqualification) SELECTION PROCESS - Review and evaluation of all applications - Best-qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process, which includes a qualifying written exam and an interview weighted 100 percent - Written exam is waived for candidates who currently possess one of the following (documentation must be submitted with application): 1. A POST Certified Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate or CA POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certification 2. A POST Dispatcher T score of 48 or higher dated within the last 12 months 3. A passing score from the National Testing Network (transferred) - Candidates given a Conditional Offer of Employment must pass the background check and drug test HOW TO APPLY - Submit an application along with the required typing certificate and any POST certification documents (if claiming a waiver) - For questions on acceptable typing certificates, contact Human Resources at (626) 852-4821 - Candidates with questions on the background check should contact the Police Department prior to applying EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Job Type: Full-Time - Department: Police Department - Location: Glendora Police Department, 150 South Glendora Avenue, Glendora, CA - Opening Date: 08/22/2023 - Closing Date: Continuous (Open until the needs of the city are met) - Note: This is a continuous recruitment. Submitting an application does not guarantee a position will become available, and there is no set timeline for hiring.
ABOUT THE ROLE The Office of Mental Health is seeking a Safety and Security Officer to maintain safety, security, environmental health, and protection in the buildings and grounds at the Capital District Psychiatric Center in Albany, NY. This full-time, permanent position offers excellent opportunities for growth and advancement under the Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (NY HELPS) program. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Patrol and inspect assigned areas to ensure they are properly locked and secured. - Conduct safety inspections of assigned areas and equipment for compliance with safety codes and regulations. - Screen visitors and vehicles, and issue temporary parking permits and badges. - Transport or escort individuals, visitors, and employees on and off facility grounds. - Respond to incidents and emergencies as they arise. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Candidates can be considered under one of the following criteria: - High school or equivalent diploma or higher degree (for NY HELPS Trainee 1 consideration). - Reachable on the current Safety and Security Officer Trainee 1 eligible list (for competitive class appointment). - One year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in a title eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law (for candidates within State Service). SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must successfully complete a 1-year traineeship and Academy Training mandated by the Municipal Police Training Council to advance to the full performance level (SG-12). - Must possess a valid New York State driver's license at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter (conditional licenses are not acceptable). - Must be a resident of New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter to accept and continue employment. - Must be at least 18 years old. - Must be a US citizen at the time of appointment. - Must meet and maintain requirements for peace officer status in accordance with State law. - Must pass a physical and medical evaluation to ensure the ability to perform duties (standards include height, weight, speech, vision, hearing, cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological health). - Background checks will be required. SELECTION PROCESS Candidates will be evaluated based on their submitted application materials. Final selection is contingent upon passing required background checks and physical/medical evaluations. HOW TO APPLY Applicants must submit the following: 1. Completed Office of Mental Health Employment Application (available at https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/employment/docs/employment-application.pdf) 2. Any other supporting application materials Submission methods: - Email: cdpcpersonnel@omh.ny.gov - Fax: 518-549-6616 Important: Applicants must clearly indicate the Title and Location of the position they are applying for in their submission. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Agency: Office of Mental Health - Location: Capital District Psychiatric Center, 75 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208 - Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent, Non-competitive Class - Bargaining Unit: SSU - Security Services Unit (NYSCOPBA) - Schedule: 40 hours per week. Night shift weekdays with scheduled weekend hours (10 PM to 10 AM). No flextime, compressed workweek, or telecommuting allowed. - Date Posted: 05/05/2026 - Applications Due: 08/07/2026 - Benefits: NYS medical, dental, and vision insurance, access to tuition assistance programs, paid time off (13 vacation days, 5 personal days, 13 holidays, and paid sick leave in the first year), and NYS Retirement programs. - Equal Opportunity Employer: OMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals and communities. OMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that values a diverse and inclusive workplace. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply.