What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee/Dispatcher position at COLUSA COUNTY, CA?
Definition & Distinguishing Characteristics
The Colusa County Sheriff's Office is looking for a Dispatcher/Dispatcher Trainee to join our exceptional team and make a meaningful impact on the community we serve. In this role, you will perform a variety of dispatching duties for both emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatch necessary units to service calls, and operate various communication equipment, including radio, telephone, and computer systems. Additionally, you will carry out general support duties related to dispatch activities, such as jail detention duties, record-keeping, typing, and filing. To learn more about this position, please click on the job description HERE .
The Ideal Candidate
The Sheriff’s Office is seeking a Dispatcher/Dispatcher Trainee who can think critically and retain information in a high-stress environment.The ideal Dispatcher/Dispatcher Trainee displays a high level of integrity and trustworthiness, has exceptional communication skills, and the ability to multitask.
Selection Procedure (subject to change)
The following is a tentative schedule of events that will occur as part of the selection process:
This recruitment will be used to fill a current vacancy and establish an eligibility list to fill other openings without reposting.
Supervision & Examples of Duties
Dispatcher Trainee
Receives direct supervision from qualified dispatch and supervisory personnel, and general supervision from managerial staff. As knowledge, skills and abilities increase, trainees are expected to work with more independence, under general supervision.
Dispatcher
Receives general supervision from supervisory and managerial staff.
Qualifications
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be :
Experience:
Dispatcher Trainee : Some clerical experience.
Dispatcher : One year of responsible clerical experience preferably including frequent public contact.
Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
License/Certificate or Other Requirement
Dispatcher Trainee : Pass the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery within 12 months of date of hire.
Dispatcher : Completion of a POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery with a passing T-score.
Supplemental Information
Monthly Salary Ranges Based on a 40-hour Workweek:
Dispatcher Trainee: $3,628 - $5,957
Dispatcher: $4,317 - $7,084
The salary range above consists of 15 steps. Steps 1-6 are annual merit steps with approximately 5% difference between each step, based on successful performance. Steps 7-15 are additional merit steps, requiring 2 years of satisfactory performance at the previous step. Steps 7-14 provide 2.5% increases, while Step 15 offers a 5% increase. The final salary offered will depend on the applicant's experience and qualifications, ranging from steps 1 to 15.
Colusa County offers an excellent benefit package. For a summary of benefits, please click here: 2026 Benefit Summary
Closing Date/Time: 5/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
The Colusa County Sheriff's Office is looking for a Dispatcher/Dispatcher Trainee to join our exceptional team and make a meaningful impact on the community we serve. In this role, you will perform a variety of dispatching duties for both emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatch necessary units to service calls, and operate various communication equipment, including radio, telephone, and computer systems. Additionally, you will carry out general support duties related to dispatch activities, such as jail detention duties, record-keeping, typing, and filing. To learn more about this position, please click on the job description HERE .
The Ideal Candidate
The Sheriff’s Office is seeking a Dispatcher/Dispatcher Trainee who can think critically and retain information in a high-stress environment.The ideal Dispatcher/Dispatcher Trainee displays a high level of integrity and trustworthiness, has exceptional communication skills, and the ability to multitask.
Selection Procedure (subject to change)
The following is a tentative schedule of events that will occur as part of the selection process:
- Applications will be accepted until May 31, 2026
- Post Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test will tentatively be held on June 25, 2026 (Subject to Change)
- Oral Interviews are tentatively scheduled for July 13, 2025 (Subject to Change)
- Background Investigation and Psychological Exam
- Medical Exam
- A beautiful, safe community in which to work and serve.
- A caring, empathetic, & fun work family that you will be welcomed into.
- Colusa is a safe community. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that your work contributes to keeping it that way.
- Competitive salary commensurate with education & experience
- A LIFETIME PAYCHECK (3% @ 60 for Classic Members and 2% @ 62 for New Members) - As long as you work for 5 years and vest in the CalPERS system, you will receive a retirement paycheck for the rest of your life.
- Amazing health care BENEFITS at NO COST to you - Unless you choose a premium health care plan.
- Authentically kind and engaged leadership who truly enjoy developing staff.
- 457 Deferred Compensation.
- PAID vacation, PAID holidays (15), and PAID leave if you get sick.
- Vacation Parity - Previous service with a public agency counts towards vacation accrual at Colusa County. A public agency includes cities, counties, districts, military, and similar entities. To learn more about vacation parity, please see our benefit summary.
This recruitment will be used to fill a current vacancy and establish an eligibility list to fill other openings without reposting.
Supervision & Examples of Duties
Dispatcher Trainee
Receives direct supervision from qualified dispatch and supervisory personnel, and general supervision from managerial staff. As knowledge, skills and abilities increase, trainees are expected to work with more independence, under general supervision.
Dispatcher
Receives general supervision from supervisory and managerial staff.
Qualifications
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be :
Experience:
Dispatcher Trainee : Some clerical experience.
Dispatcher : One year of responsible clerical experience preferably including frequent public contact.
Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
License/Certificate or Other Requirement
Dispatcher Trainee : Pass the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery within 12 months of date of hire.
Dispatcher : Completion of a POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery with a passing T-score.
Supplemental Information
Monthly Salary Ranges Based on a 40-hour Workweek:
Dispatcher Trainee: $3,628 - $5,957
Dispatcher: $4,317 - $7,084
The salary range above consists of 15 steps. Steps 1-6 are annual merit steps with approximately 5% difference between each step, based on successful performance. Steps 7-15 are additional merit steps, requiring 2 years of satisfactory performance at the previous step. Steps 7-14 provide 2.5% increases, while Step 15 offers a 5% increase. The final salary offered will depend on the applicant's experience and qualifications, ranging from steps 1 to 15.
Colusa County offers an excellent benefit package. For a summary of benefits, please click here: 2026 Benefit Summary
Closing Date/Time: 5/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary : $4,317 - $7,084