COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

State of California; United States; On-site; USD 628,000 - 978,000; Full time

Job summary

CAL FIRE Northern Region is seeking a Fire/EMS Dispatcher to join the Communications Operator team. Under general supervision, you will operate radio systems, dispatch units, access warrants and vehicle data, and coordinate emergency responses across multiple counties in California.

This 12-month limited-term full-time position offers rotating day/night shifts, in-office work, and opportunities to support emergency operations for CAL FIRE.

Responsibilities

• Operate multifrequency/channel radio systems, telecommunications terminals, and associated equipment.
• Dispatch mobile law enforcement and emergency response units to assigned locations.
• Identify locations needing assistance and coordinate unit availability and responses.
• Access warrant, driver license, vehicle and criminal history data as required.

Job description

Job Posting: Fire/EMS Dispatcher

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

JC-498073

Fire/EMS Dispatcher

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: Until Filled

Job Description and Duties

This is a new advertisement for 2026. If you have previously applied to past Communications Operator job postings, you will need to reapply to this current advertisement to be considered for these positions.

Hires may be made in the following counties: Butte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Tehama.

Applications will be processed in rounds with the following cut-off dates:

• December 8, 2025
• January 8, 2026
• February 6, 2026
• March 9, 2026
• April 9, 2026
• May 8, 2026

Under general supervision, operates multifrequency/channel radio systems, law enforcement telecommunications terminals, computer terminals, and associated equipment; respond to telephone hot-line circuits; dispatch mobile law enforcement and emergency response units to specified points as required; identify locations where assistance is required, determine the availability and location of departmental units, and dispatch units by radio; request emergency services as requested or required by field personnel; respond to other law enforcement and emergency response agencies, dispatching departmental units for response as necessary; act as incident coordinators, tracking and responding to emergency response calls; access data related to warrants, driver licenses, vehicle and vessel registrations, hazardous materials, weapons, stolen property, and criminal history information through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System; access data on other law enforcement records' databases; maintain required logs; answer telephone inquiries and provide information; and perform other related duties.

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

Working Conditions

Must be available to work day and/or night shifts or a combination of each on a rotational basis, including weekends and holidays, as well as remain on duty and/or be called back to duty on short notice and for extended periods of time due to operational need and/or emergency activity.

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-498073

Position #(s): 542-000-1670-VAR

Working Title: Fire/EMS Dispatcher

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: United States

Telework: In Office

Job Type: 12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Facility: Northern Region

Department Information

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California's fire department and resource management agency. The organization is comprised of nearly 12,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.

When you join CAL FIRE, you join a family of employees that function as a team. You will build trust and friendship with your co-workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. CAL FIRE provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunities. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!

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.

Must succesfully complete required training.

TAU applicants are encouraged to apply.

What is TAU? TAU appointments to this classification are made under temporary authorization. In accordance with the California State Constitution, no person may serve in one or more positions under a temporary appointment longer than 9 months in 12 consecutive months. Therefore, all time served in temporary appointments (for example, CAL FIRE's Firefighter I) during the 12 consecutive month period will count towards this 9 month maximum. An employee gains no status or rights as a result of the TAU appointment and an employee who has had only a TAU appointment has no reinstatement eligibility. Persons who do not possess the minimum qualifications for the classification are ineligible for appointment as a TAU.

If you are offered and accept a TAU appointment, you will be required to take the next exam administered for this classification. If you do not apply to take the exam, score too low to be in a reachable rank, OR if you fail the test, your TAU appointment will be terminated within 48 hours of the exam results being released.

Benefits

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

Contact Information

Hiring Unit Contact: Northern Region Hiring [phone]

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: Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator [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.

Additional Information

Candidates may be selected by resume review.

Limited Term appointment may be extended up to 24 months or may become permanent.

Hires are contingent upon passing a background investigation and medical exam.

FELONY DISCLOSURE: Pursuant to California Penal Code 4571, any individual interested in seeking employment that requires working with inmates at a conservation camp must disclose of any prior felony status up front, so CALFIRE/CDCR can provide informed consent to a former felon to be on the conservation camp/prison grounds. Any person/employee who has been convicted of a felony, and has not received written consent, is committing a felony.

Applicants are highly encouraged to complete a Recruitment Questionnaire, located at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HLYSH8V

How To Get A State Job

Individuals must pass an open examination before applying for most job vacancies with the State of California.

Use the “exam/assessment search” function on the CalCareers website at www.jobs.ca.gov to search for the examination you are interested in applying for. If the exam is currently being