What are the responsibilities and job description for the COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR position at Department of State Hospitals?
The Communications Supervisor will be directed by the Chief of Police or designee in the Police Services Department at the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero (ASH). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties but not limited to:
- Plan, organize and supervise communication activities and Communications Operators.
- Check reports, records and other data for accuracy completeness and compliance with established standards.
- Supervise and participate in activities involving the dispatching of routine and emergency services.
- Responsible for the supervision of the Personal Duress Alarm System and tags, monitoring of radio and telephone, hospital wide paging system and pagers, assurance of proper monitoring of all alarms, general upkeep of equipment and emergency operating procedures.
- Respond to citizen complaints and conduct informal and formal complaint investigations as assigned.
- Coordinate and/or respond to CLETS-related correspondence.
- Coordinate CLETS inspections and audit with the DOJ Field Representative.
- Receive California Justice Information System/National Crime Information Center (CJIS/NCIC) validation lists and coordinate the information validation.
- Ensure compliance with CLETS terminals, equipment, and messages are secure from unauthorized access.
- Ensure compliance with bi-annual re-certification of all CLETS operators.
- Prepare work schedules to provide for adequate coverage on all shifts, including preparing and approving vacation leave, training, and overtime schedules.
- Prepare a variety of reports and conducts special studies to evaluate data on crime, arrests, citations juvenile detention, missing cases and any activities subject to audit and analysis.
- Apply laws, court decisions, rules and regulations of various government agencies regarding the use of a confidentiality of police records; implement training and procedures to ensure compliance. Review, research, analyze, interpret, and develop policies and procedures as related to State and Federal laws and FCC regulations that apply specifically to police radio dispatching.
- BE LIST ELIGIBLE: Successfully complete the competitive State civil service exam pertaining to this classification at Communications Supervisor Exam Bulletin, OR
- BE TRANSFER ELIGIBLE: Have current employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable (employees who wish to be considered based on transfer eligibility must meet the minimum qualifications of the classification per DPA Rule 250), OR
- BE REINSTATEMENT ELIGIBLE: Have obtained previous permanent employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
Our facility is a 24-hour, 7-day a week facility.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.- COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details
Department Information
The Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is a secure public sector hospital providing inpatient forensic services for mentally ill adult males who are court committed throughout the State of California. Located on the central coast of California, the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is in the vicinity of destination locations such as San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Morro Bay, with easy access to beautiful beaches, serene natural settings and many historical landmarks. We invite you to join our professional and talented workforce.
Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov
Special Requirements
- 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.
Existing law requires that a medical examination shall be conducted to verify the absence of any medical condition which would preclude the safe and efficient performance of dispatcher duties. Persons unsuccessful in the medical exam cannot be appointed to the Communications Operator series.
Penal Code Section 13510(c) requires that State agencies participating in the P.O.S.T. program shall evaluate oral communication skills to ensure skill levels commensurate with the satisfactory performance of dispatch duties.Penal Code Section 13510(c) requires that State agencies participating in the P.O.S.T. program shall require that the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course be the minimum basic training for all public safety dispatchers in the program. The course shall be completed within 12 months of hire or assignment to dispatcher duties. Failure to successfully complete the course shall be cause for termination based on failure to meet the required conditions of employment.
The Department of Justice requires a background Investigation for anyone accessing or anyone who will view any information that is obtained from the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS). Police Services Investigators conduct background investigations on any Communications Operator selected to fill a vacancy in the Department of Police Services. Information obtained via CLETS is confidential and may be used only for the purpose(s) for which it is authorized. Violation of confidentiality requirements or access authorization may be subject to disciplinary action, civil action and/or criminal charges.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 9/30/2025Who May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
- Other -
You MUST submit a valid typing certificate with a minimum NET speed of 35 WPM. Typing tests for certification must be 5 minutes in length. Candidates that are current State employees in a typing classification DO NOT need to submit a typing certificate.
Desirable Qualifications
- Accurate typing at a speed of at least 35 words per minute
Benefits
- Medical Benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid Holidays and leave
- Defined benefit retirement program
- Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
- Commute Program
- Employee Wellness Program
- Employee Assistance Program
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
DSH-Atascadero Employment Office
(805) 468-3384
.ASHEmployment@dsh.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:Pearl Melena
(805) 468-2007
Pearl.Melena@dsh.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Additional Information
- Please note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.
- Applications postmarked on the final filing date will be accepted. scanned, copied or faxed applications will not be accepted.
- Applications will be screened and only the most competitive will be offered an interview.
- Selected candidates will be required to submit to a criminal history review utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.
- This position requires candidates to pass a Medical Evaluation. You will be required to submit to a Medical Evaluation and receive clearance prior to being hired.
Typing Certificate
Some additional facilities that offer free, proctored typing tests:
Allen Hancock College
Cuesta College
North County Campus
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.