Communications Operator I

Description

PLEASE READ THIS BULLETIN IN ITS ENTIRETY

THE POSITION

This recruitment is being conducted to fill recurring full-time vacancies. The List established by this recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, limited-term, and temporary vacancies for up to one year. Periodic testing for this position will take place as described in the supplemental information section below.

The incumbent in this position will perform a variety of complex duties in direct support of public safety personnel including receipt, interpretation, and dispatching of calls for law enforcement, fire, ambulance and other emergency assistance; direct fire and medical emergencies to the proper agency for response; accurately utilize a computer-aided dispatch system to initiate a response to handle emergencies effectively; utilize a two-way radio system to communicate with field units; accurately maintain the status of all field units; and provide information and assistance to the public.

THE CITY OF VALLEJO

The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 121,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148-year history and maritime heritage. Residents of Vallejo are situated to take advantage of the best of what the area has to offer. Golf, museums, performing arts, boutique shopping, brewpubs, and a wide selection of restaurants are all available in Vallejo. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Vallejo’s delightful historical downtown area, weekly downtown farmer’s market, and beautifully restored Victorian homes and business facades. Vallejo is also home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, one of America’s only combination wildlife, oceanarium, and theme parks.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Communications Operator I - This is the entry/trainee level class in the Communications Operator series. This class is distinguished from the Communications Operator II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series in the Communications Section. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Incumbents are expected to promote to the Communications Operator II level after satisfactory completion of an eighteen-month probationary period and when experience and education requirements for the Communications Operator II level are met.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate supervision from a Communications Supervisor and receives functional supervision from Patrol Supervisors, including the On-Duty Watch Commander.

Examples Of Important Responsibilities And Duties

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

When Functioning In The Communications Center

• Receives, interprets, classifies, prioritizes, and responds to calls of a routine and emergency nature, including those calls involving life-threatening situations. Enters relevant information using a computer keyboard and accurately transmits messages for dispatching as necessary and in accordance with established procedures, operating a computer-aided dispatch system.
• Assigns calls to police units for necessary action, determining the appropriate units required for response. Coordinates when necessary with patrol supervisors regarding deployment of personnel. Visually monitors video display terminals and actively listens to police radio frequencies to ensure the correct status of officers and emergency personnel. Maintains contact with all units on assignment; maintains a daily log of all field calls and units dispatched.
• Dispatches law enforcement or other emergency personnel and equipment. Operates a variety of communications equipment, including computer-aided dispatch terminals, radio transmitters and receivers, dispatch consoles, electronic data terminals, telephone, and leased-line teletype. Monitors multiple computer screens simultaneously. Enters, updates, and retrieves information from computerized databases relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, and other information.
• Use telecommunications systems to coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement and public safety agencies. Determines appropriate communications or research channels selected from emergency telephone lines, radio room telephone lines, business telephone lines, police radio channels, other agency radio channels, and manual computerized information systems.
• Provides information to officers and field personnel expeditiously, including but not limited to warrants, vehicles, driver's licenses, parole, and criminal history information. Interprets or clarifies coded responses from various systems for law enforcement, public safety, or other relevant parties. Confirms warrants with responsible agencies, receives and files warrants, and updates the status of warrants. Receives, responds to, and documents requests for Division of Motor Vehicle print-outs; documents vehicle impound information.
• Accurately processes information received in the communications center and accurately disseminates that information to the appropriate concerned parties, including but not limited to, relatives of those involved; employers; hospitals; sworn and non-sworn public safety personnel at other agencies; other City departments; ambulance services; detoxification centers; tow companies; attorneys; state parole; county probation; animal control; commercial establishments; alarm companies and schools.
• When appropriate, monitors other public safety and emergency preparedness radio traffic, security monitors, and takes necessary action.
• Maintains a variety of automated and manual logs, records, and files related to communications center activities.
• Make court appearances as required related to assigned activities.
• Perform a variety of record-keeping, filing, indexing, and other general clerical work; maintain a variety of logs relating to public safety activities.
• Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Perform other work as assigned.
  
  

When Functioning In The Field

• Operate a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Perform communications center activities in a mobile vehicle or mobile setting.
• Perform other work as assigned.
  
  

Knowledge Of

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Customer service and professional telephone answering techniques.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
  
  

Ability To

• Act appropriately and decisively under stressful and/or emergency situations.
• Learn, apply, and maintain knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and information pertaining to law enforcement dispatch.
• Learn policies and procedures of receiving and processing emergency calls.
• Read, understand, and apply a variety of call-taking information and materials.
• Learn call interview and law enforcement dispatch techniques and procedures.
• Learn basic communications rules and regulations governing the operation of radio transmitting and receiving systems.
• Utilize a two-way radio system to communicate with field units and accurately maintain the status of all field units.
• Read and effectively interpret small-scale maps, have general knowledge of the surrounding geographical area, and information generated from a computer screen.
• Learn general law enforcement codes, practices, and methods.
• Act promptly and appropriately in emergencies.
• Speak clearly and concisely in a well-modulated voice pattern.
• Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Understand and follow both oral and written instructions promptly and accurately.
• Communicate effectively in the English language in both oral and written forms.
• Wear a telephone headset and be able to hear, distinguish, and understand voices with background noises present.
• Type accurately at a speed necessary for successful job perfor­mance. Must type a minimum of 35 words per minute.
• Establish and maintain courteous and effective work relationships with subordinates, peers, supervisors, and the general public.
• Operate various office equipment, including computer terminals.
• Work various shifts as assigned.
• Work flexible hours.
• Sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Effectively multi-task.
• Provide courteous and effective customer service.
• Maintain professional composure and take responsible and effective action during stressful situations.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
  
  

Experience And Training Guidelines

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience

Some experience operating radio, computer, or other communica­tion equipment is highly desirable.

Training

A High School Diploma or G.E.D. supplemented by general clerical experience.

License Or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license upon hire.

Tools and Equipment

Telephone console to receive 911 and non-emergency telephone calls; PC computer-aided dispatch systems with mapping features and printer; Radio console controls and monitors; Headsets; Mobile Data computers; Microsoft Word and E-mail; Copy machine; Fax machine; California Law Enforcement Telephone System (CLETS); Telecommunications Device for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TDD).

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The Recruitment & Selection Process

• Applicants must submit a completed City of Vallejo online application, including all responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire (Resume/Cover Letter Optional), by the posted testing deadline in order to move forward in the selection process.
  
  

NOTE: If you have problems creating a user account, obtaining your already created account information, or submitting your online application, please contact governmentjobs.com applicant support directly at 855-524-5627. City of Vallejo staff are unable to assist with these issues.

• Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and have submitted a completed application, including answering all Supplemental Questions, will be invited to participate in the testing process as outlined below:
• The City of Vallejo Police Department utilizes Criticall to test for the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the essential duties for the position of Communications Operator. This is an online assessment that consists of seven components that takes approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes to complete. The assessment may NOT be completed by anyone other than the applicant. To validate the integrity of a successful candidate's score, the candidate will be asked to verify that no one completed any portion of the assessment on their behalf during polygraph questioning. Those who are found to be untruthful in the submission of their assessment will be withdrawn from consideration for the position.
• Criticall assessments will be proctored online on the second and fourth Friday of every month beginning on June 12, 2026, until the position has closed. The application deadline to be included in the assessment group will be the Thursday before the date of the assessment, as described below:
  
  

Testing Date

Application Deadline

June 12, 2026

June 11, 2026

June 26, 2026

June 25, 2026

July 10, 2026

July 09, 2026

July 24, 2026

July 23, 2026

August 14, 2026

August 13, 2026

August 28, 2026

August 27, 2026

September 11, 2026

September 10, 2026

September 25, 2026

September 24, 2026

October 9, 2026

October 8, 2026

October 23, 2026

October 22, 2026

November 13, 2026

November 12, 2026

November 27, 2026

November 24, 2026

• After the testing link has been sent, applicants will have five calendar days to complete the assessment. If the assessment has not been completed within five calendar days, the application will be withdrawn from consideration, and the applicant will be required to wait 30 days to reapply.
• Testing instructions and information will be sent to you through NeoGov notification on the day of your scheduled assessment. To ensure timely delivery of notifications regarding your application status and testing, please make sure that NeoGov and Government Jobs are added to your safe sender's list, and not filtered as spam when communications from these entities arrive in your email.
• Candidates must achieve a minimum T-Score of 52 on the Critical assessment. Those achieving a T-score of 52 or higher will be invited to participate in oral panel interviews. Please note: Those who do not achieve a minimum passing T-score of 52 will be required to wait 30 days before they are able to reapply and re-take the Criticall assessment.
• Oral panel interviews are weighted at 100% of a candidate's score. Those who score 70% or higher will be placed on the Register of Eligibles and referred to the department for further consideration.
  
  

The City reserves the right to limit the number of candidates to those determined to be best qualified based upon all requested application materials, including training and experience, current resume, and responses to supplemental questions.

PRIOR TO HIRE

The selected candidate(s) will be required to successfully complete and pass the following to advance in the hiring process:

• Chief's Interview
• Communications Center sit along
• Completed Personal History Statement (PHS)
• Live Scan Fingerprinting
• Polygraph
• POST Dispatcher Background Investigation
• Psychological Assessment
• Medical Assessment
  
  

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The City of Vallejo is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application, assessment, or selection process may contact the Human Resources Department to request an accommodation. Please contact Yissa Barajas at (707) 648-8606 or by email at yissa.barajas@cityofvallejo.net before your scheduled testing date.

Disaster Service Workers - All City of Vallejo ("City") employees are designated Disaster Service Workers ("DSW") by state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all DSW-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Veteran's Preference - Veteran's preference points will be applied in accordance with Civil Service Rule 24. A copy of the DD 214 form must be filed at time of application.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) - The City of Vallejo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Vallejo to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Note: The provisions in this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Click here for benefit information for International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers Employees (IBEW):

01

Instructions for Supplemental Questionnaire: Thank you for your interest in employment with the City of Vallejo! We sincerely value your time and hope to make your application experience as positive as possible. The following supplemental questions are an important step in the examination and selection process to assist us in determining if you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in the posted vacancy. Please indicate below that you have read and understand the instructions presented above.

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

Do you possess education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

By clicking yes below, I understand that the Vallejo Emergency Communications Center is a continuous 24 hour/365 day operation and that I will be required to be available to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, overtime, holidays, and call back when necessary.

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

In the position of Communications Operator, incumbents will typically remain at their workstation for their entire shift (except for scheduled breaks and meal periods), work with and interact in very close proximity of other personnel, work at a very rapid pace while maintaining intense concentration over an extended period of time, and must attend daily briefings. Are you able to work effectively under these circumstances?

• Yes
• No
  
  

05

By clicking yes below, I acknowledge that I will be required to schedule and attend a Vallejo Police Department Communications Center "sit along" prior to any offer of employment.

• Yes
• No
  
  

06

By clicking yes below I acknowledge that I have been informed that I may not have another individual submit any portion of the Criticall online assessment on my behalf and that I will be asked to validate this statement during polygraph should I move forward in the selection process.

• Yes
• No
  
  

07

I understand that the City of Vallejo Human Resources Department is not responsible for any lost or redirected emails and that it is my responsibility to add info@governmentjobs.com to my email contact list to avoid email notifications related to this examination from being classified as "spam" or "junk" mail. Please indicate below that you have read and understand the statement above.

• Yes
• No
• Required Question