Senior Communications Operator

Sacbar; Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 73,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CalPERS retirement

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

Longevity Pay

Onsite Wellness Clinic

Paid Holidays, Vacation, Sick Leave

Job summary

The City of Visalia Police Department is recruiting a Senior Communications Operator to supervise daily shift operations within the Communications Unit. The role includes staffing, budgeting, training, mentoring and performance assessment, plus handling routine and emergency dispatch activities for police, fire and animal control.

Applicants must multi-task in a high-volume call center, make quick decisions under pressure, and work nights, weekends and holidays as required in this Emergency

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years 911 dispatch experience with a law enforcement agency.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Possession of a California POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a California POST CTO Certificate within 18 months of appointment.
• Keyboarding speed of 40 CWPM (correct words per minute).
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily shift operations and staffing/scheduling.
• Assist with budgeting, training, mentoring and evaluating staff.
• Receive, transmit and coordinate routine and emergency police, fire and animal control traffic.
• Maintain and process various communications records and logs.
• Be available to work nights, weekends and holidays as part of Emergency Services.

Skills

911 dispatch experience

40 CWPM keyboarding

Decision making under pressure

Education

High school diploma or GED

California POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate

California POST CTO Certificate (within 18 months)

Job description

The City of Visalia Police Department is recruiting for Senior Communications Operator.

THE DIVISION

The Operations Division consists of the Patrol Bureau and Communications Unit that provide patrol, traffic, commercial, and emergency communications services for the Visalia Police Department. The Patrol Bureau operates out of two District Substations, one in each policing district, and the Visalia Emergency Communications Center. In 2025, the Department fielded more than 264,000 police calls for service.

Examples of Duties

THE POSITION

The Senior Communications Operator shall serve in a supervisory role and report directly to the Communications Supervisor. They will oversee daily shift operations, assist with staffing/scheduling, budgeting, training/mentoring/assessing employee performance, supervising, and preparing written documents. They will receive and transmit routine and emergency telephone and radio traffic, dispatch and coordinate police, fire, and animal control. They will maintain and process a variety of communications paperwork, records, and logs, and will perform related responsibilities as required. As an Emergency Services employee, the applicant must be available to work shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications / Requirements

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Visalia Police Department is seeking a highly motivated and professional candidate with strong leadership abilities, supervisory experience, effective communication skills, and desire to serve the community. Candidates must have the ability to multi-task in a high-volume call center and make appropriate decisions under demanding situations, while focusing on customer service.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge, skill and ability is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skill and abilities would be:

• Minimum of two years 911 dispatch experience with a law enforcement agency, equivalent to a City of Visalia Communications Operator, within the last four years, including previous training experience.
• Possession of high school diploma or GED.
• Possession of a California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a California POST Communications Training Officer (CTO) Certificate within 18 months of appointment.
• Keyboarding speed of 40 CWPM (correct words per minute).
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.

Additional Information

SELECTION PROCESS

Application and supplemental material will be evaluated and applicants who appear to be the most qualified will be invited to participate in a job related interview and/or examination process. Successful candidates may be required to pass a background, physical examination, and/or drug screen.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Monthly salary range $6,053 - $7,609
• CalPERS retirement program
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Longevity Pay
• Onsite City Health and Wellness Clinic (no out of pocket expenses)
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, Sick Leave and much more...
• Review the Benefits tab for more information.

EXPERIENCE VISALIA. ENHANCE YOUR LIFE.

If work-life balance is important to you, consider living in a thriving community that offers the most affordable housing in California with a typical commute time of less than 20 minutes. With a population of over 146,000, Visalia offers small town charm with metropolitan amenities. Visalia has a world class health care system, our own Sequoia Symphony Orchestra, a flourishing arts community, a minor league baseball team, a downtown convention center, and numerous fine dining establishments.

As the Tulare County seat, Visalia is the principal retail center in the region, and home to several large industrial employers. Visalia has a vibrant downtown district, safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, institutions for higher learning, and low cost of living. The City has many community parks, organized team sports, a municipal golf course and private country club, a multi-sport family-oriented regional sports park, and numerous outdoor and recreational activities.

Located in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley, Visalia offers easy access to the nearby mountains, national parks, lakes and rivers which provide year-round opportunities for sports and recreation within an hour or less. Visalia was ranked as the top Central Valley community and one of seven California cities in the top 25 of Gallup Sharecare's latest State of American Well Being Index. Our strong sense of community and social well-being keeps Visalians happy, healthy and moving forward. Come discover all Visalia has to offer!

The City of Visalia is an equal opportunity employer.