Communications Supervisor

City of Folsom; Folsom (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Folsom is seeking a Communications Supervisor to join the Folsom Police Department’s Public Safety Emergency Communications Dispatcher Center. This role oversees dispatchers and operations, ensuring rapid and accurate response to public safety calls.

You will supervise staff, develop training, monitor video feeds, and prepare clear written reports. A strong background in public safety dispatch and leadership is essential, with a willingness to work varied shifts.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 3 years of full-time public dispatch experience in law enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and supervise staff in the Communications Center.
• Coordinate shift coverage, schedules, and leave approvals.
• Dispatch routine and emergency public safety calls.
• Monitor video feeds and liaise with other agencies.
• Prepare written reports and data for performance reviews.
• Develop training programs and supervise staff performance.

Skills

Radio operation

PC operation

Training programs

Staff supervision

Data analysis

Written comms

Public safety knowledge

Complaint handling

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Sun Ridge Systems RIMS

Job description

Anchored in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada - 20 miles east of Sacramento and about 1.5 hours from Lake Tahoe - the City of Folsom is comprised of beautiful parks and trails, and boasts excellent schools, family-orientated neighborhoods, and outstanding shopping, dining, and cultural options. Folsom is a high-tech, forward-looking city, with firms ranging from small to large international corporations. Voted by WalletHub as the Best Place for Families to Live in California, and 2nd Best Lake Town in America, Folsom is recognized for its affordability, fair weather, education, and health.

The City of Folsom is currently recruiting for a Communications Supervisor to join the Communications team for the Folsom Police Department. The Communications Supervisor classification has positions assigned as the Administrative Supervisor and the Floor Supervisor. This current vacancy is assigned as the Floor Supervisor. This is a non-exempt position represented by the Folsom Police Officers Association (FPOA).

Under general direction, the Communications Supervisor will plan, organize, direct, coordinate, supervise, and evaluate the Public Safety Emergency Communications Dispatcher Center; responsible for the dispatch center personnel, operational systems and procedures, policy interpretation, and policy implementation during an assigned shift.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This classification provides direct and indirect supervision to lower level personnel for a preponderance of the time.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Communications Supervisor classification is distinguished from the Dispatcher II classification in that the former has greater responsibility, autonomy, and discretion in planning and completing a wide variety of activities related to Communications Dispatch Operations. Incumbents in this class have responsibility for exercising general and technical supervision over Dispatchers (I and II). As a supervisor, the communications supervisor is held to a higher standard than that of their subordinates and must demonstrate leadership, ethical decision‑making, active listening, and integrity in performance of all duties.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Top candidates will be invited to 1st round oral board interviews which will include an assigned written exercise. Those selected to move on will participate in Command Staff interviews, a full background investigation, psychological evaluation, medical evaluation, and a final Chief's interview.

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all the duties listed.

• Plan, organize, and supervise the work of staff in the department’s Communications Center, including providing leadership, mentoring, coaching and performance evaluations.
• Participates in the selection of staff; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; establishes schedules and methods for providing effective services and support in assigned area of responsibility.
• Implements policies and procedures; evaluates operation and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommends improvements and modifications.
• Prepare work schedules to provide for adequate shift coverage, including preparing and approving vacation and leave schedules.
• Evaluate and prepare performance evaluations.
• Serve as a resource for other departmental employees on policies and procedures in unusual or questionable situations in area of responsibility.
• Receive telephone and radio calls for public safety services.
• Dispatch routine and emergency public safety calls for service.
• Monitor video camera feeds and monitor other public agencies by radio.
• Review and investigate internal and external complaints.
• Create essential written documentation, including easily understandable statistical reports. Be prepared to articulate the methods used for data collection and compilation during discussions.
• Review professional publications and resources to enhance professional competence and remain current on trends within the profession.
• Analyze data and process a wide variety of public safety records, files, logs, reports, and forms.
• Establish or support an existing recognized method or program of quality assurance and a personnel performance measurement tool for the agency.
• Make sound decisions based upon a valid analysis of the best available information.
• Make critical decisions during high‑pressure situations, including prioritizing calls, dispatcher resources, and managing complex incidents.
• Ensure that equipment and systems are well‑maintained and functioning properly.
• Operate office equipment and perform basic troubleshooting and repair efforts as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Note: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Essential Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of

• Operation, procedures, and policies of a police dispatch center.
• Principles of supervision, training, discipline, and performance evaluation.
• Modern office methods, equipment, and procedures.
• English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation.
• Common word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.

Ability to

• Competently operate radio communication equipment and personal computers.
• Assign, instruct, review, supervise and evaluate the work of assigned staff maintaining high morale and esprit de corps.
• Analyze situations and adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances.
• Recognize employee performance or conduct issues and take appropriate corrective action.
• Deal tactfully with the public and coworkers.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Develop and implement training programs for employees.
• Schedule personnel and assign workload.
• Supervise, train, discipline, and evaluate subordinates.
• Read a variety of maps quickly and accurately.
• Remain calm in emergency situations while exercising good judgment.
• Handle confidential matters with a high degree of discretion.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Exercise independent judgment appropriately.
• Work with minimum supervision.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education

High School Diploma, G.E.D, or equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade.

Experience

Three (3) years of full-time public dispatch experience in a law enforcement agency. Experience must be in a position performing duties comparable to those of a Dispatcher with the City of Folsom.

Desirable Qualifications

• Supervisory experience
• Experience with Sun Ridge Systems RIMS (Records Information Management System)

License, Certificate, Registration Requirements

• Some positions may require the possession of, or the ability to obtain and retain, a California Class C driver license by the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis.
• Possession of a current and valid P.O.S.T. Dispatch Certificate.

Physical Requirements

Work is performed in a typical office environment. (1) Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting. (2) Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds. (3) Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close‑up work; occasional color and depth vision. (4) Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. (5) Hearing/ Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone. (6) Emotional/ Psychological: frequent decision‑making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone. (7) Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

Other Requirements

Must be willing to work varied, rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.