Demo

COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
Sacramento, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 5/11/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/10/2026

*This is a new advertisement for 2026. If you have applied previously please be sure to reapply and get an application in if you are still interested


Applications will be processed in rounds with the following cut-off dates:
  • April 9, 2026
  • May 8, 2026
  • June 9, 2026
  • August 10, 2026

Please Note: Due to postal service delays, electronic submission of application is recommended.

Please see the Duty Statement link, found in the Additional Documents section, for more information.

Applicants are highly encouraged to complete a Recruitment Questionnaire, located at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HLYSH8V

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Short and long-term travel for meetings, training, or emergency assignments may be required. May be required to work various shifts and overtime including days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Will be required to successfully complete the CAL FIRE ECC Academy within 1 year of permanent hire. The incumbent must pass background and medical clearance prior to appointment. The incumbent must be absent of any medical condition which would preclude the safe and efficient performance of this classification. Persons unsuccessful in the required medical exam cannot be appointed. 

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
  • COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR
  • Job Application Package Checklist
  • Duty Statement
Job Code #:
JC-511093
Position #(s):
542-061-1670-VAR
Working Title:
Fire/EMS Dispatcher
Classification:
COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR
$4,690.00 - $7,306.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California's fire department and resource management agency. The organization is comprised of nearly 12,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.

When you join CAL FIRE, you join a family of employees that function as a team. You will build trust and friendship with your co-workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. CAL FIRE provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunities. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!
  • The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
  • The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
All job applicants must provide their employment history on the application form (State Application STD 678) rather than attaching a resume to the form, otherwise the application may be considered incomplete.

1. Do NOT include ANY confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

2. Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined a candidate does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

The minimum qualifications can be found in the Communications Operator classification specifications.

TAU applicants are encouraged to apply.

What is TAU? TAU appointments to this classification are made under temporary authorization. In accordance with the California State Constitution, no person may serve in one or more positions under a temporary appointment longer than 9 months in 12 consecutive months. Therefore, all time served in temporary appointments (for example, CAL FIRE's Firefighter I) during the 12 consecutive month period will count towards this 9 month maximum. An employee gains no status or rights as a result of the TAU appointment and an employee who has had only a TAU appointment has no reinstatement eligibility. Persons who do not possess the minimum qualifications for the classification are ineligible for appointment as a TAU.

If you are offered and accept a TAU appointment, you will be required to take the next exam administered for this classification.  If you do not apply to take the exam, score too low to be in a reachable rank, OR if you fail the test, your TAU appointment will be terminated within 48 hours of the exam results being released.
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Knowledge of and ability to effectively utilize IROC.

Knowledge of CAL FIRE hired equipment policies and procedures.

Knowledge of and ability to effectively utilize HEMS.

Ability to utilize various word processing, database, spreadsheet and/or graphic computer programs including, but not limited to: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Outlook.

Ability to proofread written material and make necessary grammatical and spelling corrections prior to disseminating.

Salary : $56,280 - $87,672

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