Supervising Communications/Operations Dispatcher

County of Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Sacramento seeks a Supervising Communications/Operations Dispatcher to lead a team responsible for dispatching emergency and non-emergency services using radio, telephone, and data terminals. The role involves evaluating requests, coordinating resources, and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.

The position requires experience in public safety dispatching, supervising personnel, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Three years of full-time, paid experience as a fire, radio or communications dispatcher in a call center environment.
• Experience must include operating a variety of communication equipment including multiple channel radio receivers and transmitters, computer based phone systems, and alarm signaling devices.

Responsibilities

• Supervise staff responsible for the use and operation of dispatching equipment (radio, telephone, data terminals).
• Receive, evaluate and respond to requests for emergency and non-emergency services by contacting or dispatching necessary personnel and equipment.
• Ensure work quality and adherence to policies and procedures; perform technical and complex tasks within the area of responsibility.

Skills

Supervision

Team building

Public safety dispatching

Budgeting

Communication

Job description

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on: 9/11/26, 9/25/26 (final).

Under direction, the Supervising Communications/Operations Dispatcher supervises, assigns, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for the use and operation of communication and dispatching equipment consisting of radio, telephone, and data terminals; receives, evaluates and responds to requests for emergency and non-emergency services by contacting or dispatching necessary medical, fire, law enforcement or other County personnel and equipment; ensures work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures; and performs the more technical and complex tasks relative to the assigned area of responsibility.

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of supervision, discipline, leadership, mentoring, and training
• Team dynamics and team building
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and other specialized applications related to area of assignment
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Communications center procedures and protocol
• Budgetary principles and/or concepts
• Operations and capabilities of communications center equipment such as multiple channel radio receivers and transmitters, computer based phone systems, and alarm signaling devices
• Current principles, practices and procedures of public safety dispatching
• Effective report writing techniques

Ability to

• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff
• Plan, coordinate, assign, and review the work of subordinate staff
• Investigate and resolve disciplinary issues
• Work independently, prioritize work, coordinate activities and meet critical deadlines
• Monitor and interpret budgets and other financial documents
• Develop and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with others
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Apply customer service skills, including the identification of customer needs and follow up to ensure customer commitments have been met
• Collect and compile a variety of data and information
• Prepare records and reports
• Exercise judgment, tact, and common sense in resolving difficulties and problems in the communications center
• Operate a variety of computer, telecommunications, video and other equipment, including keyboarding rapidly and accurately
• Remain sufficiently calm, analyze information, and make effective decisions under emergency conditions
• Read, understand and apply a variety of data, visual information, maps and computer screens
• Receive and transmit information accurately

Minimum Qualifications

Three years of full time, paid experience as a fire, radio or communications dispatcher in a call center environment. Experience must include operating a variety of communication equipment including multiple channel radio receivers and transmitters, computer based phone systems, and alarm signaling devices.

Note

If the word “experience” is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part‑time paid experience may be accumulated and pro‑rated to meet the total experience requirements.

General Qualifications

Criminal History and Background Checks

The County may access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies, and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate’s ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained.

The County may also conduct a background check on the candidate prior to appointment to a position within this class. The background check may include personal and professional reference checks, credit history checks where authorized by Labor Code section 1024.5, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process. In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act.

License Requirement

A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, may be required at the time of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate California Driver License, or comply with state and federal requirements for utilization, may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis.

Certification Requirement

Incumbents in this class must obtain and maintain an Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification issued by a contracted vendor chosen by the Sacramento County Department of Airports within one year of appointment and recertify every two years. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate certification may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis.

Age Requirement

Positions assigned to Department of Airport have a minimum age requirement of 18 years.

Special Access

Incumbents in this class assigned to the Department of Airport must acquire and maintain an airport security badge upon appointment to the airport facility in order to access secure County airport locations. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate special access may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis.

Physical Requirements

• Have sufficient hearing to understand audio communication over a telephone or two‑way radio.
• Have sufficient color vision to perform all the required duties.
• Good hand/eye coordination and finger dexterity.
• Wear head‑sets that restrict physical movement in the work area.
• Sit and view video displays for extended periods of time.

Individuals who do not meet these requirements due to disability will be reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis.

Working Conditions

Positions in this class require the incumbents to work weekends, holidays, and shift assignments.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.

County of Sacramento Department of Personnel Services Employment Services Division

700 H Street, Room 4667

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone [phone]; 7-1-1 California Relay Service

Email [e-mail]

Inter-Office Mail Code: 09-4667

www.SacCountyJobs.net

Sacramento County is about enriching communities to thrive. We strive to create inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and diverse dimensions of our employees and residents. Through transparency, courage, innovation, and trust we are committed to advance equity and transformational change.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any phase of the hiring process, please contact our Disability Compliance Office at [e-mail] or 916-874-7642, CA Relay 711. For more information, visit Reasonable Accommodation Requests - Job Applicant Instructions.