Emergency Communications Dispatcher - Trainee

Emergency Communications Dispatcher Trainee

The Emergency Communications Department is responsible for the operation of a countywide, consolidated Emergency Communications Center providing 9-1-1 and non-emergency call answering and law enforcement, fire protection and emergency medical dispatch services for over 30 local, regional, county and state public safety agencies.

The Emergency Communications Dispatcher Trainee receives on-the-job training in basic 9-1-1 call answering and radio dispatching methods and techniques. This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to the higher level of the career series subject to their meeting the employment standards for the higher class and a recommendation for their promotion by the appointing authority. The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

Hire dates for 2026 coincide with the In-House Dispatch Academy start dates:

• January 12, 2026
• April 6, 2026
• July 13, 2026
• October 5, 2026

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans' preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier.

Examples of Duties:

• Learns to dispatch police and fire personnel and equipment on both routine and emergency calls utilizing the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, radio dispatching consoles, and related communications equipment; learns to monitor and maintain the status of assigned public safety personnel and public safety frequencies and equipment; learns to analyze situations accurately and take effective action in accordance with policies and procedures to help assure officer and citizen safety
• Receives 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls for service; utilizes interrogation techniques/protocols to evaluate what type of help is needed
• Enters information by typing while having a live conversation into a CAD system
• Determines scene and responder safety; transfers calls to the proper emergency service provider, or provides information to the field units and/or public
• Manages callers who may be in distress and highly emotional
• Inquiries, interprets, verifies, receives, and disseminates information from law enforcement computer networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, and related matters
• Analyzes situations accurately and takes effective action to help assure officer and public safety
• Utilizes map and GIS software programs to identify the location of an incident and monitor units
• Records the nature and source of all incoming and outgoing phone and radio messages, as required
• Relays critical information as quickly as possible
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker as required

The successful candidate will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively
• Empathize with members of the public in sensitive and/or distressful situations
• Document information in English in a clear, organized, concise, and understandable manner
• Accurately type a keyboard terminal minimum of 30 wpm (net on a computer)

Examples of Experience/Education/Training:

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

• Education: Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent. AND
• Experience: One (1) year of experience involving substantial public contact.

Conditions of Employment:

1. Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority
2. Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency; travel out of County to attend meetings
3. Work mandatory overtime as assigned
4. Must be able to pass a thorough law enforcement background investigation
5. Pursuant to Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Program Regulations Section 1018, successfully complete the POST-certified Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course within one (1) year of appointment.
6. Per Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Program Regulation 1018, every Public Safety Dispatcher shall satisfactorily complete the Continuing Professional Training (CPT) requirement of twenty-four (24) or more hours of POST qualifying training during every two-year CPT cycle, based on the statewide CPT Anniversary Date as specified in subsection 1018(d)(2)

Benefits:

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Unit J Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

Notes:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.
• Veterans and their widows/ers who within the past five years have served on active duty for 30 or more days in a 1) national or State military emergency or 2) military expedition for which a medal was authorized, may be eligible for Veterans' Preference Points. To apply, veterans must submit an "Application for Veterans' Preference" with their application materials by the final filing date.

Application and Selection Procedures:

Apply On-Line at or Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting: Attn: Human Resources 168 W. Alisal Street 3rd Floor Salinas, CA 93901 Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses:

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans' preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Click Here to View the Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application

To apply for veterans' preference points, veterans or eligible military spouses must complete and email a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application with supporting documentation of their eligibility within 5 business days of submitting your job application to View email address on click.appcast.io.

Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation:

Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity.