COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

Job Description and Duties

COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR – LAW ENFORCEMENT & EMERGENCY SERVICES DIVISION / TELECOMMUNICATIONS / SOUTHERN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

The reporting location for this position is the Southern Communication Center (SURCOM), located in Perris, CA. This position will work under the general supervision of the SURCOM Communications Supervisor.

SURCOM is a 24-hour public safety dispatch and communications center with a service area covering Southern California. The incumbent will dispatch State Park Peace Officers (Rangers and Lifeguards), National Park Service Rangers, Department of Fish and Game Wardens, and other emergency services personnel in the SURCOM service area to emergency and non-emergency events. Duties will include operation of a radio console system, VESTA telephone system, CLETS and computer aided dispatch (CAD). Other  duties will include dispatching Department of Fish and Wildlife CalTIP calls, and receiving and processing Office of Emergency Service Hazmat report.

Multiple positions are available.

Training and Development Assignments may be considered.

This recruitment until filled and applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis. The cutoff date(s) will be:
August 1, 2026                  
September 1, 2026         
October 1, 2026         
November 1, 2026     
December 1, 2026 

Possession of a valid Class C driver’s license is required. You must answer the questions addressing your driver’s license on your application. Ensure you provide your driver’s license number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions on your application.

State housing is not required. For further information regarding this position, please contact  Natasha Gilchrist at Show phone number o r View email address on calcareers.ca.gov

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025).  PLP 2025 directs that each employee receives a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The percentage of the temporary salary reduction and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are determined by the position’s assigned bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not reflect the temporary salary reduction. For additional information regarding PLP 2025, please click

Per California Code of Regulations (CCR) , this is a sensitive position, and therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing. It should be noted that testing is not mandatory, but is allowed to be conducted only if and when there is a determination of reasonable suspicion as defined in CCR

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.

Existing law requires that a thorough background investigation shall be conducted to verify the absence of past behavior indicative of unsuitability to perform public safety dispatcher duties. The background investigation shall include a check of Department of Motor Vehicles' records, and a search of local, State, and national criminal history files to disclose any criminal record. Persons unsuccessful in the investigation cannot be appointed to the Communications Operator series.

Existing law requires that a medical examination shall be conducted to verify the absence of any medical condition which would preclude the safe and efficient performance of dispatcher duties. Persons unsuccessful in the medical exam cannot be appointed to the Communications Operator series.

Penal Code Section 13510(c) requires that State agencies participating in the P.O.S.T. program shall evaluate oral communication skills to ensure skill levels commensurate with the satisfactory performance of dispatch duties.

Penal Code Section 13510(c) requires that State agencies participating in the P.O.S.T. program shall require that the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course be the minimum basic training for all public safety dispatchers in the program. The course shall be completed within 12 months of hire or assignment to dispatcher duties. Failure to successfully complete the course shall be cause for termination based on failure to meet the required conditions of employment.

DO NOT include any confidential information to your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.)   SROA/SURPLUS Applicants: You must check the SROA/Surplus as your claimed method of eligibility and attach your SROA/Surplus letter as an additional document.

Employment History on the STD 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in you being screened out. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the and websites.

Additional Instructions

If submitting your completed Application Package by mail or hand delivery, you must include the Position #549-809-1670-XXX and the Job Control # JC-524118 in the “Examination or Job Title for which you are applying” section on the STD. 678.

Note: If you are applying for multiple positions, you must complete a STD. 678 for each position separately. Incomplete applications or applications received with multiple positions listed on one application will not be considered.

Employment History on the STD 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in you being screened out. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.