Communications Dispatch Supervisor (Fire Department)

County of Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits

Retirement reciprocity

Advanced vacation accrual

Job summary

County of Santa Barbara seeks a Communications Dispatch Supervisor to oversee the Regional Fire Communications Center, directing dispatchers and ensuring seamless 24/7 operations for fire-rescue and EMS resources.

The ideal candidate will lead system readiness, coordinate with CalFire/OES partners, and develop training materials while maintaining high professional standards and integrity.

Qualifications

• Three years of dispatching experience in an emergency or public safety dispatch center; two years as lead or equivalent.
• Experience training entry-level dispatchers; 480 hours minimum.
• Combination of training, education, and experience meeting standards.

Responsibilities

• Supervise dispatchers in the Center; assign, evaluate, and counsel staff.
• Maintain standards through leadership, accountability, and discipline.
• Aid in training manual and policy development.
• Ensure readiness of 9-1-1 systems and radio/ CAD equipment.
• Perform back-up dispatcher duties as needed.
• Lead staff selection and training planning.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Strong communication

Calm under pressure

Decision making

Training staff

Tools

IROC ordering system

Job description

SALARY: $94,498.56 - $114,125.44 Annually

Join our team as a Communications Dispatch Supervisor and make a significant impact on emergency response in our community. In this crucial role, you will oversee our team of dispatchers and ensure seamless operations in our new Regional Fire Communications Center (RFCC). This is a unique and exciting opportunity as we continue to build out our regional fire-rescue-EMS communications/dispatch program. This supervisor will work with the Dispatch Manager and supervisor group to establish a culture of excellence, inclusion, forward planning, and innovation.

We are accepting applications to fill one(1) full-time Communications Dispatch Supervisor vacancy in Santa Barbara, California for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department (County Fire Protection District.)

The Regional Fire Communication Center (RFCC) is a secondary PSAP serving the Santa Barbara County region dispatching fire-rescue resources for all cities (4) and fire protection districts (3) and for the Santa Barbara County contract ambulance provider and is a 24-hour / 365-day operation. It is a partnership between member agencies and administered by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The RFCC is the dispatch center for the Santa Barbara County Operational area of the California OES Fire & Rescue Mutual Aid System. It is also responsible for ordering, dispatching, and tracking resources including engines, crews, dozers, aircraft, and overhead personnel as required through the Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s contract with CalFire. The RFCC interacts frequently with other agencies including CalFire, California OES, California State Parks, National Park Service, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, and U.S Forest Service.

Benefits

• County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits

Additional Benefits for Applicants from Other Public Sector Employers

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

Ideal Candidate Possesses

• Ability to communicate effectively in potentially high stress intervals
• A reputation for honesty and trustworthiness
• Good moral character
• Credibility
• Integrity
• Dependability
• Good judgment under pressure
• Experience with automatic aid, mutual aid contracts and agreements, California O.E.S., and CalFire Contract County is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of the Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC) ordering system is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

1. Supervises the work of Communications Dispatchers in the Dispatch Center; assigns, evaluates, and counsels staff; ensures staff compliance with Center and user-agency and affiliated-agency policies and procedures.
2. Maintains agency and industry standards through leadership, accountability, and discipline.
3. Participates in the design and preparation of training manuals, policy/procedures, and other reference materials necessary to support the work of the applicable Center.
4. Ensures the operational readiness of equipment related to the 9-1-1 emergency telephone system, user and affiliated agency radio systems, and applicable computer-aided dispatching system.
5. Makes minor repairs to communications systems or analyzes problems and makes referrals to appropriate sources of service.
6. Performs duties of Communications Dispatchers in a back-up capacity.
7. Participates in selection of staff, identifies training needs and coordinates training classes with other dispatch personnel.
8. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

1. Three years of dispatching experience in an emergency or public safety dispatch center, including two years of journey-level or lead-worker experience that included a minimum of 480 hours of experience training entry-level dispatchers (equivalent to 12 weeks of experience); OR,
2. Two years of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Communications Dispatcher II with Santa Barbara County, including a minimum of 480 hours of experience training entry-level dispatchers (equivalent to 12 weeks of experience) OR,
3. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Additional Requirements

Incumbents must be able to type 35 wpm; work rotating shifts including nights and weekends; work overtime as required to ensure operational stability of the communications center; may be required to work an administrative staff position schedule; must be able to pass a work-simulated, computer-based performance test, a background investigation (for Sheriff’s Office this includes a polygraph examination and credit check), psychological evaluation and medical exam. Work is performed in a dispatch center and requires sitting for long periods of time, extensive keyboarding, operation of a mouse, wearing of a headset, and working in a fast-paced and demanding environment.

Must successfully complete Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) and Emergency Fire Dispatcher (EFD) certifications during the training period and maintain them throughout employment.

Knowledge of terminology, codes, and procedures used in public safety dispatching; telecommunications, computer, electronic, microwave, and radio systems used in dispatching; applicable laws regulating radio and telecommunications operations and public safety dispatch; Federal Communications Commission requirements for public safety dispatch centers; the functions of public safety agencies; principles and practices of effective training.

Ability to: plan, organize, assign, prioritize, and delegate the work of self and others; learn and apply sound supervisory principles and practices; set performance standards; review and evaluate the work of others; use sound judgement in reacting quickly, effectively, and calmly in emergency situations; train subordinate staff and develop training plans and materials; understand, interpret, explain, and apply rules, regulations, and applicable laws; work well with other departmental and outside agency personnel; communicate effectively, orally and in writing. Communicate with people of diverse social and cultural backgrounds; follow written and oral instructions; establish and maintain working relationships with other agencies; operate a computer, mouse and keyboard; and perform the full scope duties of a Communications Dispatcher.

Selection Process

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Online Skill Keyboarding Assessment: Qualified candidates will be notified by email with instructions to complete the online Keyboarding assessment. The deadline to complete the assessment will be clearly stated in the invitation. Candidates must complete and pass the keyboarding assessment to advance in the recruitment process.
3. CritiCall Computerized Exam (Online): Candidates who pass the keyboarding assessment will be invited by email to the online CritiCall exam. The CritiCall exam is a computerized software testing program that tests job-related skills and multi-tasking abilities required in the complex dispatching environment. Candidates are required to pass the exam to be placed on the employment list.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70% on the CritiCall exam to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

Incumbents must successfully complete a one-year probationary period.

FIRE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION PROCESS

The Fire Department's background investigation includes an interview and in-depth background investigation of police records, personal and virtual character check, military, and employment histories; inquiry of persons who know you and evaluate whether you respect the law and rights of others; are dependable and responsible; have demonstrated mature judgment in areas such as the use of drugs and intoxicants; are honest; and is a safe driver.

Background Investigation Steps Following Conditional Offer

• Live Scan: A Live Scan is electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the State Department of Justice. Further instructions about when and how to complete the Live Scan will be included in the offer letter.
• Psychological Examination is administrated by a licensed psychologist. You will be evaluated on the psychological factors related to successful performance to determine if you are presently suited for the difficult and stressful job of a dispatch supervisor, and to otherwise ensure that the candidate is capable of withstanding the psychological demands of the position.
• Physical Examination. The medical evaluation or examination shall commence once you accept a conditional offer of employment. You will be evaluated on the physical factors related to successful performance to determine if you are presently suited for the physically demanding job of a dispatcher.

REASONABLE ACCOMODATIONS

The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Disaster Service Worker

Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 8/31/2026, at 4:59pm PST; Postmarks are not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbcounty.