Dispatch Supervisor

Application Deadline: Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 10:00AM. Tentative Interview Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026. If you are a public safety communications professional with leadership experience and a passion for service, we invite you to apply for our Dispatch Supervisor position. We are seeking a skilled and motivated Dispatch Supervisor to lead daily dispatch operations and support the delivery of critical emergency and non-emergency public safety services. Responsibilities Plan, organize, coordinate, supervise, and participate in the daily operations of the communications center; ensure efficient, effective, and responsive delivery of emergency and non-emergency communications services. Collaborate with watch commanders, battalion chiefs, and other public safety personnel to address operational priorities, coordinate resources, and support field operations and emergency response activities. Assign, direct, monitor, and evaluate the work of communications personnel; establish performance expectations and provide coaching, mentoring, training, and professional development. Conduct performance evaluations; address performance deficiencies; recommend corrective and disciplinary actions; and recognize employee achievements and contributions. Oversee staffing, scheduling, shift coverage, and deployment of communications personnel to ensure operational readiness and continuity of service. Provide technical guidance and operational support to dispatch personnel during complex, critical, high-risk, or unusual incidents. Conduct training, onboarding, and ongoing professional development of staff; ensure compliance with departmental standards and regulatory requirements. Assist in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of policies, procedures, training programs, operational guidelines, and quality assurance standards. Monitor and oversee communications center activities, ensuring accurate documentation, legal requirements, regulatory standards, recordkeeping, and adherence to established protocols. Interpret and enforce departmental policies, procedures, and applicable regulations. Supervise and participate in receiving, evaluating, prioritizing, and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls for service; ensure appropriate resource allocation and timely response. Oversee the operation and use of CAD, RMS, CLETS, emergency medical dispatch systems, and related communications technologies; ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and operating standards. Review communications records, call documentation, dispatch activities, and data entry transactions to ensure accuracy, completeness, quality, and compliance. Coordinate the timely exchange of information between field personnel, allied agencies, emergency service providers, and the public. Monitor radio communications and communications systems to maintain situational awareness and support officer safety, responder safety, and public safety. Oversee the dissemination of critical information, including warrants, criminal justice information, officer safety alerts, emergency notifications, and mutual aid communications. Monitor the status and welfare of field personnel and ensure appropriate action is taken during emergency or officer safety incidents. Conduct quality assurance reviews of emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatch activities, and emergency medical dispatch protocols; identify training needs and implement corrective actions as necessary. Oversee communications center security functions, including access control systems, emergency notification systems, and related security technologies. Prepare and maintain operational reports, statistical data, training records, and other documentation related to communications center activities. Assist with recruitment, selection, onboarding, and retention of communications personnel. Research and evaluate operational issues, industry trends, technologies, and regulatory requirements; recommend and implement process improvements and operational enhancements. Represent the department in meetings, committees, training activities, and interagency coordination efforts related to public safety communications. Knowledge of Principles, practices, and techniques of supervision, leadership, employee development, performance management, and personnel administration. Public safety communications operations, including emergency call-taking, radio dispatching, emergency medical dispatch protocols, resource coordination, and incident management. Organization, functions, services, and operational procedures of law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical services, and related public safety agencies. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, standards, and policies governing public safety communications, criminal justice information, emergency communications systems, and records management. Computer-aided dispatch (CAD), records management systems (RMS), the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS), emergency medical dispatch systems, and related communications technologies. Principles and practices of quality assurance, training, operational evaluation, and continuous process improvement. Standard radio communications procedures, dispatch protocols, emergency notification systems, and telecommunications equipment. Staff scheduling, workload management, and resource allocation principles. Geography of the service area, including streets, landmarks, public facilities, response districts, and jurisdictional boundaries. Modern office practices, procedures, computer applications, and business software. English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and effective oral and written communication techniques. Principles and practices of customer service, conflict resolution, and communication in stressful or emotionally charged situations. Ability to Effectively plan, organize, assign, and supervise the work of communications personnel to ensure efficient and effective operations. Lead, coach, mentor, and motivate staff; address performance issues and promote a professional, accountable, and customer-focused work environment. Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and communications standards. Recommend, implement, and evaluate operational goals, objectives, policies, and procedures. Oversee and support the communications training program, including onboarding and ongoing skill development. Simultaneously manage multiple competing priorities, including call-taking, radio dispatching, incident prioritization, and resource coordination, while maintaining accuracy, professionalism, and sound judgment in routine and high-stress situations. Analyze incoming information, determine call priority, assess operational needs, and direct appropriate response in accordance with established protocols. Monitor and evaluate communications activities to ensure accuracy, efficiency, compliance, and effective service delivery. Operate and oversee the use of CAD, RMS, CLETS, and other communications systems with accuracy and compliance. Maintain situational awareness and coordinate information, personnel, and resources during emergency and critical incidents. Communicate clearly and effectively over radio, telephone, and other communications systems using proper diction, tone, and protocol. Remain calm, exercise sound judgment, and provide leadership in emergencies; provide direction and support to staff during critical incidents. Accurately receive, retain, and relay information from multiple sources under time-sensitive conditions. Adapt quickly to changing situations, shifting priorities, and multiple simultaneous demands. Interact tactfully and professionally with the public, including individuals who may be upset, distressed, or confrontational. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, command staff, field personnel, allied agencies, service providers, and members of the public. Identify new products, implement new dispatch practices, and train personnel. Education and Experience A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Graduation from high school or possession of a General Educational Development (GED) certificate. Four years of public safety dispatching experience with a police and/or fire agency. Licenses and Certifications Valid California Class C driver license and a satisfactory driving record. CPR and First Aid certification. California POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate. Must obtain POST Dispatch Supervisor certification within three years of appointment, with certification granted within four years. Must obtain an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certificate within one year of appointment. Other Requirements Must meet or exceed all Public Safety Dispatcher selection requirements pursuant to 11 CCR § 1956. This position requires rotating shift assignments and is subject to mandatory overtime to maintain a fully operational 24‑hour facility. Work will include weekends, holidays, and/or irregular hours. Assessment Components Candidates must pass each performance examination (written exercise, peer interview, and leadership interview) with a minimum score of 70% to be placed on the eligibility list. A candidate’s final composite score based on the weight factors indicated below will determine their rank on the eligibility list. Leadership Interview – 45% Peer Interview – 35% Written Exercise – 20% Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The City of Paso Robles provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All persons employed by the City of Paso Robles are designated as “disaster service workers” as defined in the California Government Code section 3100 and 3101. #J-18808-Ljbffr