Communications Dispatcher II

Communications Dispatcher II

The Sheriff's Office seeks experienced, emergency law enforcement dispatchers! Starting salary up to $52.00/hour ($108,530/year), and a competitive total compensation package!*

In the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, Communications Dispatcher IIs support both the public and law enforcement by receiving requests for information and providing pertinent data over the phone and radio. Responsibilities include:

• Monitoring radio frequencies
• Receiving and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls from the public
• Setting priorities among competing incoming events and dispatching appropriately
• Utilizing a computer-aided dispatch system

In our 24/7 environment, Dispatchers must have the flexibility to work all shifts, including days, holidays, weekends, swings, nights, and overtime as required.

This journey-level position in the Dispatcher job series is for individuals who have completed a year of law enforcement emergency dispatch experience with a city, county, state, or federal agency. Possession of a California Commission of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Public Safety Dispatcher's Certificate is highly desired.

Being a Dispatcher can be demanding, but for those who have the fortitude and passion for this work, you will be rewarded with camaraderie and the ability to help others during the times when they most need support. To learn more about this assignment and how we serve the community, please visit the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office website.

The most successful Dispatchers will possess many of the following:

• Significant experience working with the public and people in distress, as well as the ability to direct distressed callers through emergencies
• The ability to work swiftly, in stressful situations, to manage multiple things happening at once
• Capacity to remain calm, clear, and in control
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, as well as empathy and compassion
• The ability to read maps and provide clear directions
• Proficiency in basic computer programs, including Microsoft Office applications, Word, and Excel
• The ability to type quickly and accurately

What We Offer

• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, and 12 paid holidays per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness - Annual benefit allowances of up to $850
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Association Memorandum Of Understanding (SCLEA MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

The Sheriff's Office is currently recruiting to fill multiple Communications Dispatcher II positions. This Communications Dispatcher II employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, this would include graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D, and one year of dispatch experience in a law enforcement setting comparable to Communications Dispatcher I.

Special requirement: Within one year of employment, and as a condition of probation, employees in this classification must obtain a P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher's Certificate, as awarded by the State of California, Commission on Police Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.).

Special skill requirement: This classification requires the ability to type at a corrected speed of 45 words per minute.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position. The position advertised on this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of: streets, roads, major buildings, and geography of Sonoma County; functions of the Sheriff's Office and other public safety agencies; applicable rules, regulations, and procedures including those of the Federal Communications Commission and their application; communications equipment; data entry techniques and computer operations; techniques for effectively working with members of various ages, ethnicities, and socio-economic groups; standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.

Ability to: accurately dispatch, coordinate and direct public safety equipment and personnel; speak clearly and concisely in English; operate communications equipment; operate a keyboard; react quickly, efficiently and calmly in an emergency situation, and to adopt an effective course of action; handle inquiries from the public in a courteous and effective manner; interpret rules and regulations to others; understand and follow complex written and oral instructions; keep records; and work shift schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions will be used in assessing minimum qualifications. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.

Additional Information

Being part of the Sheriff's Office and being expected to keep the public safe requires a thorough background investigation process. This process includes an assessment of prior work history, verifying educational experiences, court reports, public records searches, and understanding past patterns relating to drug usage, financial patterns, etc. This entails gathering a significant amount of information from job candidates and speaking to former employers, friends, family members, etc. Polygraphs, drug tests, and medical and physical examinations are also part of this process. Candidates must be honest and forthcoming about information that may arise during the background process. Deception during any portion of this process is grounds for disqualification, even after employment. This process can take anywhere from 3-5 months. Many factors are taken into consideration and one should not assume a credit issue or prior