COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

State of California; Napa (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Parking

On-site childcare

Electric Vehicle charging stations

Beautiful walking trails and access to

On-site exercise facility

Job summary

State of California's Department of State Hospitals in Napa is seeking a Communications Operator for a permanent full-time role. You will handle dispatches, manage radio communications, and translate information into prompt actions under pressure.

The position requires the ability to work under stress, follow precise instructions, and maintain composure while prioritizing tasks. Prior experience with radio dispatching is desirable.

Qualifications

• Ability to work under stress and maintain composure.
• Follow instructions precisely.
• Listen and translate what is heard into appropriate action.
• Adapt quickly to a variety of situations.
• Write rapidly and legibly; read and comprehend at required level.
• Experience in dispatching with radio equipment is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Operate and dispatch via radio communications equipment.
• Follow established procedures to manage emergency and routine calls.
• Prioritize actions based on incoming information and instructions.

Skills

Under stress

Instruction following

Active listening

Emergency response

Fast writing

Reading comprehension

Prioritization

Info extraction

Dispatching experience

Radio equipment handling

Tools

Radio equipment

Job description

Communications Operator

Department of State Hospitals

JC-527621-Communications Operator

$4,690.00 - $7,306.00 per Month

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 8/31/2026

Job Description and Duties

DSH-Napa Protective Services have multiple openings for a permanent full-time Communications Operator position. Interested candidates must have the ability to work under stress and maintain composure; follow instructions precisely; listen and translate what is heard into the appropriate action; adapt quickly to a variety of situations; act in an emergency situation; write rapidly and legibly; perform several functions simultaneously; read and comprehend at the level required for the job; establish priorities and take appropriate action; extract critical information from incoming calls; recall a variety of situations and retain information. Experience in dispatching work involving the operation of radio communications equipment/systems is highly desirable.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-527621

Position #(s): 480-561-1670-000 480-561-1670-004

Working Title: Communications Operator

Classification: COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

$4,690.00 - $6,459.00 A

$5,307.00 - $7,306.00 B

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: Multiple

Work Location: Napa County

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Facility: Department of State Hospitals - Napa

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process.

Department Information

Founded in 1875, Napa State Hospital is the only state hospital in Northern California for persons struggling with severe mental illness. Classified as a low to moderate security facility, the hospital has a bed capacity to treat up to 1,362 patients on an attractive campus with treatment units located on 138 acres. Staff is dedicated and committed to delivering high quality, cost-effective, professional services and specialized programs in an environment that promotes continuous improvements in treatment for individuals with mental disabilities.

Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.

Existing law requires that a thorough background investigation shall be conducted to verify the absence of past behavior indicative of unsuitability to perform public safety dispatcher duties. The background investigation shall include a check of Department of Motor Vehicles' records, and a search of local, State, and national criminal history files to disclose any criminal record. Persons unsuccessful in the investigation cannot be appointed to the Communications Operator series.

Existing law requires that a medical examination shall be conducted to verify the absence of any medical condition which would preclude the safe and efficient performance of dispatcher duties. Persons unsuccessful in the medical exam cannot be appointed to the Communications Operator series.

Penal Code Section 13510(c) requires that State agencies participating in the P.O.S.T. program shall evaluate oral communication skills to ensure skill levels commensurate with the satisfactory performance of dispatch duties.

Penal Code Section 13510(c) requires that State agencies participating in the P.O.S.T. program shall require that the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course be the minimum basic training for all public safety dispatchers in the program. The course shall be completed within 12 months of hire or assignment to dispatcher duties. Failure to successfully complete the course shall be cause for termination based on failure to meet the required conditions of employment.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Other benefits include:

Free Parking

On-site childcare

Electric Vehicle charging stations

Beautiful walking trails and access to parks

On-site exercise facility

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov

Human Resources Contact:

Tess Oracion

[phone]

[e-mail]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:

Tiffani Emerson Morris

[phone]

[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.