Sheriff’s Communications Dispatcher I

Summary

Sheriff's Communications Dispatcher ISupport your community in a personally rewarding career by joining the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office family. No experience required and multiple positions available! Starting salary up to $45.96/hour ($95,924/year), and a competitive total compensation package!Supporting public safety during emergencies is a rewarding career for individuals who thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy solving problems under pressure, and excel at using advanced communication systems. While the work is challenging, dispatchers play a vital role in helping protect the community. Those with the dedication, resilience, and passion for public service are rewarded with the opportunity to make a difference when people need help most, while becoming part of the strong teamwork and camaraderie that define the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.Whether you're driven by a desire to serve your community, grow professionally, or take on new challenges, a career as a dispatcher with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office offers meaningful work and opportunities for advancement. As a dispatcher, you'll coordinate emergency and non-emergency communications for ground, marine, and air units in a dynamic environment where every shift presents new experiences. As your career progresses, you'll have opportunities to develop specialized skills and pursue unique assignments.In this entry-level Dispatcher position, you will receive significant training on how to effectively handle a variety of emergency situations. Once on-the-job training is complete, Dispatchers take emergency calls, dispatch, track, and monitor situations happening in the community, and assist Deputies in the field in a wide variety of situations ranging from looking for a missing person to responding to a robbery in progress. In addition to compassion and empathy, the ideal candidates will possess excellent judgment and:Remain calm, clear, and in control during times of stressWork swiftly in stressful circumstances to manage multiple simultaneous situationsDemonstrate excellent communication and problem-solving skillsHave experience working with the public and people in distressHave the ability to direct distressed callers through emergencies, read maps, and provide clear directionsDemonstrate the ability to type quickly and accuratelyIn our 24/7 environment, overtime is required and Dispatchers must have the flexibility to work all shifts (nights, swings, weekends, holidays, and mandatory overtime/holdovers). As you gain experience and seniority, there is more flexibility in selecting shifts.The Sheriff's Office is currently recruiting to fill multiple Sheriff's Communications Dispatcher positions at both the I and II levels. This Sheriff's Office Communications Dispatcher I employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service title of the position is Communications Dispatcher I.Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed. Experience and Education: Any combination of experience, training, and education which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, this would include graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D. Some experience receiving information over the phone, radio, or communications system, and simultaneously entering data into a computer is desirable. Special requirement: Within one year of employment, and as a condition of probation, employees in this classification shall complete a P.O.S.T. certified Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course. Special skill requirement: This classification requires the ability to type at a corrected speed of 45 words per minute. The positions advertised on this announcement do not require possession of a valid California Driver's License.Some knowledge of: streets, roads, major buildings and geography of Sonoma County; the functions of the Sheriff's Office and other public safety agencies; communications equipment; data entry techniques and computer operations; techniques for effectively working with members of various ages, ethnicities and socio-economic groups; standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment. Ability to: speak clearly and concisely in English; react quickly, efficiently and calmly in an emergency situation, and adopt an effective course of action; handle inquiries from the public in a courteous and effective manner; learn rules and regulations, including applicable Federal Communications Regulations and their application; understand and follow complex written and oral instructions; learn to operate communications equipment; keep records; type on a keyboard; and work a shift schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process. You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions. You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately. Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.The selection procedure will consist of the following examination: An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.

Job Description

Sheriff's Communications Dispatcher ISupport your community in a personally rewarding career by joining the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office family. No experience required and multiple positions available! Starting salary up to $45.96/hour ($95,924/year), and a competitive total compensation package!Supporting public safety during emergencies is a rewarding career for individuals who thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy solving problems under pressure, and excel at using advanced communication systems. While the work is challenging, dispatchers play a vital role in helping protect the community. Those with the dedication, resilience, and passion for public service are rewarded with the opportunity to make a difference when people need help most, while becoming part of the strong teamwork and camaraderie that define the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.Whether you're driven by a desire to serve your community, grow professionally, or take on new challenges, a career as a dispatcher with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office offers meaningful work and opportunities for advancement. As a dispatcher, you'll coordinate emergency and non-emergency communications for ground, marine, and air units in a dynamic environment where every shift presents new experiences. As your career progresses, you'll have opportunities to develop specialized skills and pursue unique assignments.In this entry-level Dispatcher position, you will receive significant training on how to effectively handle a variety of emergency situations. Once on-the-job training is complete, Dispatchers take emergency calls, dispatch, track, and monitor situations happening in the community, and assist Deputies in the field in a wide variety of situations ranging from looking for a missing person to responding to a robbery in progress. In addition to compassion and empathy, the ideal candidates will possess excellent judgment and:Remain calm, clear, and in control during times of stressWork swiftly in stressful circumstances to manage multiple simultaneous situationsDemonstrate excellent communication and problem-solving skillsHave experience working with the public and people in distressHave the ability to direct distressed callers through emergencies, read maps, and provide clear directionsDemonstrate the ability to type quickly and accuratelyIn our 24/7 environment, overtime is required and Dispatchers must have the flexibility to work all shifts (nights, swings, weekends, holidays, and mandatory overtime/holdovers). As you gain experience and seniority, there is more flexibility in selecting shifts.The Sheriff's Office is currently recruiting to fill multiple Sheriff's Communications Dispatcher positions at both the I and II levels. This Sheriff's Office Communications Dispatcher I employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service title of the position is Communications Dispatcher I.Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed. Experience and Education: Any combination of experience, training, and education which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, this would include graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D. Some experience receiving information over the phone, radio, or communications system, and simultaneously entering data into a computer is desirable. Special requirement: Within one year of employment, and as a condition of probation, employees in this classification shall complete a P.O.S.T. certified Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course. Special skill requirement: This classification requires the ability to type at a corrected speed of 45 words per minute. The positions advertised on this announcement do not require possession of a valid California Driver's License.Some knowledge of: streets, roads, major buildings and geography of Sonoma County; the functions of the Sheriff's Office and other public safety agencies; communications equipment; data entry techniques and computer operations; techniques for effectively working with members of various ages, ethnicities and socio-economic groups; standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment. Ability to: speak clearly and concisely in English; react quickly, efficiently and calmly in an emergency situation, and adopt an effective course of action; handle inquiries from the public in a courteous and effective manner; learn rules and regulations, including applicable Federal Communications Regulations and their application; understand and follow complex written and oral instructions; learn to operate communications equipment; keep records; type on a keyboard; and work a shift schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process. You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions. You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately. Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.The selection procedure will consist of the following examination: An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.