Communications Manager

Salary : $144,393.81 - $175,465.06 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: View phone number on click.appcast.io
Department: Police
Opening Date: 05/18/2026
Closing Date: 6/8/2026 5:00 PM Pacific


BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR BERKELEY

is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.


As an employer, the City of Berkeley offers all the benefits of a career in the public sector while fostering diversity, creativity, and innovation. Join a team of high-caliber, experienced staff with a shared mission of serving the Berkeley community and promoting an accessible, safe, healthy, environmentally-sound and culturally-rich city.

See why staff stay at the City of Berkeley:

JOB OPPORTUNITY
The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Communications Manager in the Police Department! In this role, you will have the opportunity to manage all operations and activities of the Communications Center Bureau. Responsibilities include developing and implementing policies, procedures and operating standards, and the continuous evaluation of the efficiency and maintenance of all communication equipment and systems. The Communications Center processes approximately 5,000 calls for service monthly, including emergency and non-emergency calls for Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services.

The ideal candidate is a steady leader who can build trust with staff and communicate clearly in a fast-paced environment. They have experience managing or supervising a communications center and understand the challenges of staffing shortages, training, and employee wellness. They are proactive in finding solutions to staffing needs, supporting recruitment and retention efforts, and maintaining service levels during difficult conditions. The ideal candidate is also comfortable leading through change, including the implementation of new technologies and systems, and can help staff adapt through clear communication, training, and support. They are organized, approachable, and able to make sound decisions under pressure while keeping the team focused and supported.
See the full job description here:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:
Equivalent to graduation from high school and completion of 60 college semester or 90 quarter units in business administration, public administration, criminal justice or a related field; may substitute experience on a year-for-year basis for education; and five (5) years increasingly responsible experience in a public safety communications center, one of which must have been at the supervisory level or administrative capacity and two years of experience directly related to emergency dispatching.

Other requirements include:
Must be able to pass a psychiatric evaluation and P.O.S.T Dispatcher background investigation. Must be willing to work evening, night, weekend and holiday shifts. An Emergency Medical Dispatcher, P.O.S.T. Dispatcher, Civilian Supervisor, Instructor Certificate, or completion of training required for one or more of these certificates is desirable. ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 and 800 Incident Command system certification is desirable.

Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet the program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, the incumbent is required to maintain a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record.

APPLICATION PROCESS


Applications must be received by Monday, June 8, 2026, at 5:00 pm PT and must include a completed application. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc. upon request to . Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

EXAM PROCESS


The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the application period close date)
• Review of Supplemental Questionnaire
• Assessment Center - Tentatively scheduled for the week of July 20th or July 27th
  • Oral Interview Exam
  • Written Exercise

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral, or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing, and analytical skills; problem-solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability, or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews slated for a date to be determined.

Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to at the time of application.


PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background check that may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of employment history, educational credentials and degrees, certificates, registrations, and licenses including driver's license; credit check; criminal history check; and Live Scan fingerprinting.


EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER

The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.


DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.
Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.

Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.

Retirement
CalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).


Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.

Medical Plans
Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plan HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Dental Plan
The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $3,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $3,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Vision Plan
The City provides vision benefits through Vision Service Plan. The plan covers 100% for eye exams and lenses every 12 months with $25 copays. The plan also provides an allowance for frames every 24 months.

Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a $50,000 Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.

Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.


Vacation
New employees accrue 80 hours of vacation annually, with an increase to 120 hours annually after 3 or 4 years of service, depending on eligibility for Administrative Leave (see ).

Holidays
15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually
(PEU)
01


Describe your experience in a public safety communications center.
02


Please indicate highest level of education completed. Your highest level of education must also be listed in the education section of your application.

• High School or equivalent
• Some College
• Completed 60 semester or 90
• AA Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• PhD

03


I acknowledge that I have reviewed my application and my answers to all above supplemental questions for accuracy. I understand that an incomplete application, inconsistent or conflicting information, or incomplete answers to the supplemental questions may result in disqualification from the recruitment process.

• Yes
• No

Required Question