Fire/EMS Dispatcher

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE); California; On-site; USD 52,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is seeking a Fire/EMS Dispatcher to join our dedicated public safety team in California. The role supports emergency response by coordinating fire and EMS resources, maintaining communications, and ensuring rapid, accurate information flow during incidents.

Selected candidates will perform duties in a permanent, full-time capacity, in-office, with a focus on reliability, teamwork, and adherence to procedures designed to protect

Responsibilities

• Please see the attached duty statement for details on this postion.

Job description

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.

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.

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-497982

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

Working Title: Fire/EMS Dispatcher

Classification: COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

Salary: $4,690.00 - $7,306.00

# of Positions: Multiple

Work Location: United States

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Facility: Southern 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!

Job Description And Duties

Please see the attached duty statement for details on this postion.

Candidates may be selected by resume review.

• This is a new advertisement for 2026. If you have applied previously please be sure to reapply and get an application in if you are still interested.

Hires may be made in the following counties: Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, Riverside, San Benito, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Ventura, and San Bernardino.

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

• September 9, 2026
• October 9, 2026
• November 10, 2026
• December 8, 2026

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

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.

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.