Fire District Dispatcher (lateral)

County of Contra Costa; Pleasant Hill (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Contra Costa County Communications Division in Pleasant Hill, CA, is seeking a 911 dispatcher to handle routine and emergency calls, triage communications, and dispatch field units. The role requires calm communication, accuracy, and strong teamwork in a fast-paced environment.

The position features a demanding 24-hour Kelly schedule, with on-site duties in Pleasant Hill, CA. A high school diploma is required, and candidates must complete EMT/EMD certification within three months.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Two years of 911 dispatch experience with CAD and radio.
• Within three months, obtain the National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch certification.

Responsibilities

• Receive routine and emergency calls for Fire and Medical services.
• Process calls using Medical Protocol Dispatch Systems (MPDS).
• Provide pre-arrival instructions to callers (CPR, childbirth, choking).
• Transmit messages by operating telecommunications and computer equipment.
• Maintain accurate records of location and status of emergency units.
• Maintain radio contact with field units and enforce channel control with discipline.
• Select emergency response units per policies and procedures.

Skills

Multitasking

Communication

Teamwork

Adaptability

Typing 40wpm

Education

High school diploma

Tools

MPDS

CAD

Job description

Bargaining Unit: IAFF Local 1230

Shift: 24-hour Kelly schedule

Location: Pleasant Hill, CA

Hybrid/Remote: No

***This is a continuous recruitment***

Recruitment can close at any time

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply immediately

Why join the Contra Costa County Communications Division?

The Communications Division operates the 911 system for nearly all fire, emergency, and medical calls County-wide and manages the dispatch of first responders to 141,000 fire and EMS incidents annually.

TheFire District Dispatcheris responsible forproviding general information to the public andscreening calls using established Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) protocolsand dispatching fire apparatus staff to emergency situations.

The District is an "all-hazards" organization providing fire suppression, First Responder Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency medical services as well as 911 emergency ambulance transport services for over two-thirds of the county, technical rescue, marine firefighting, and water rescue.

Ranking among the larger California fire agencies, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is a well-equipped, full-service fire agency.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Able to multi-task and triage incoming calls and radio communications.
• A strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills who knows how to talk to people, elicit pertinent information, and remain calm in stressful situations.
• Committed to career-long learning, and has the ability to receive constructive feedback and apply it in your future work.
• Adaptable to learning new technology and has excellent computer skills.
• Flexible, highly motivated, mature, and willing to work 24-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays.
• A team player who understands and embraces TEAMWORK!

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Receiving routine and emergency calls for Fire and Medical services.
• Processing calls using Medical Protocol Dispatch Systems (MPDS).
• Providing pre-arrival instructions to callers (i.e. CPR, childbirth, choking).
• Transmitting messages by operating telecommunications and computer equipment.
• Maintaining an accurate record of the location and current status of emergency response field units.
• Maintaining radio contact with field units and enforcing proper channel control, with discipline and courtesy.
• Selecting emergency response field units in accordance with established user agency policies and procedures.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You’ll be a part of an AMAZING team of dispatchers that take pride in their work.
• The 24-hour work schedule allows for more time with your family.
• We are a team of the “best of the best” dispatchers in Northern California.
• You’ll have the opportunity to respond to the field as a part of our Incident Dispatch Team.
• New communications center facility—coming soon

A few challenges you might face in this job

• Getting acclimated to the 24-hour Kelly schedule.
• Adjusting to a new or different way of dispatching fire and medical units.
• Learning a new CAD system, EMD protocols, and new geographical area.

Competencies Required:

• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new ways to do business
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals

Read the complete job description

here.

License Required

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License. Out of state valid motor vehicle operator’s license will be accepted during the application process.

Education

Possession of a high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalency or high school proficiency certificate.

Certificate

Within three (3) months of employment, must possess and maintain the National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch certification through the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch.

Experience

Two (2) years of full-time (or the equivalent of full-time) experience operating 9-1-1 telephones, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), and radio communications equipment while dispatching public safety emergency services.

Performance Requirement

Ability to type at a speed of not less than 40 words per minute at a PC terminal.

Other Requirement

Must pass a thorough background investigation and medical screening prior to employment.

Desirable

• Certification as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD)

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Contra Costa County is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to qualified individuals with disabilities in its employment practices. If you believe you may anticipate needing reasonable accommodation, please visit our job seeker resources page at: Special Testing Accommodations | Contra Costa County, CA Official Website.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Elizabeth Loud at [e-mail]. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at 1 855-524-5627.