PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER

Recruitment Schedule: 
Application Period Closes - May 13, 2025
In-Person Oral Panel Interview - June 5, 2025
Two dispatch sit-alongs are required and must be scheduled before your oral panel interview. To schedule, please contact Tabatha Lopez at (530) 822-2206. SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF A THOROUGH BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION ARE REQUIRED FOR HIRE.

NOTICE: Correspondences, notices, and invitations to test and/or interview will be sent via email through CritiCall and/or Governmentjobs.com/NEOGOV. Please be sure to set-up your inbox to receive them or check your junk-mail to make sure you are receiving Sutter County's recruitment communications.

New Employees will be hired at Step 1 ($23.61/HR) and will advance to Step 2 ($24.99/HR) upon completion of the FTO program (approx. 4 months after hire), then advance to Step 3 ($26.39/HR) 26 pay periods (approx. 1 year) after date of hire. At 18 months, and passing probation, employees may promote to Public Safety Dispatcher II, Step 3 ($29.16/HR). After that, they receive a yearly merit increase up to step 5, then every two years up to step 8.

Under immediate supervision, receives and transmits emergency and routine voice radio messages; dispatches required equipment and personnel in accordance with established policies and procedures; and performs clerical support related to communication activities.The Public Safety Dispatcher I is the entry level class in the Public Safety Dispatcher series. Assignments are generally limited in scope and are set within procedural frameworks established by higher level positions. This class is distinguished from the higher Public Safety Dispatcher II class in the training status and in the additional supervision received while learning job tasks. Work requires incumbents to exercise some judgement in selecting appropriate established guidelines to follow. Significant deviations require prior approval. Interpretation of general administrative or operational policies is sometimes necessary. As experience accrues, the incumbent performs with increasing independence. After successful completion of 18 months in the position, incumbents may be promoted to Public Safety Dispatcher II.  The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other related duties may be required and assigned.
 

1. Monitors radio receiver for all communications concerning the Sheriff's Department, including radio traffic of other related safety agencies.
2. Receives emergency and other type messages, securing and recording information as to location and nature of emergency or incident; categorizes and prioritizes calls.
3. Dispatches appropriate personnel and equipment according to standard operational procedures, instructions from a superior, or by individual judgment.
4. Coordinates emergency calls; relays information and requests for assistance involving other public safety agencies.
5. Maintains two-way radio communications with emergency cars and other emergency units on assignments.
6. Maintains contact with units on assignment, including monitoring status and location of units.
7. Conveys information/instructions to caller as necessary to assist until dispatched units arrive on scene.
8. Operates a computer terminal to obtain information as requested on drivers, vehicles, wanted suspects, and other pertinent data.
9. Enters, updates and retrieves information from computer networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registrations, warrants and other information.
10. Notifies and keeps superiors informed as to emergency situations and general activities.
11. Acts as receptionist at public information window.
12. Performs routine clerical work including data entry, typing, filing, indexing, and maintaining records.
13. Maintains radio log and other records on incoming messages and calls.
14. Prepares and/or generates various forms, correspondence and documentation.
15. Reviews various documentation and processes, forwards, or takes other action as appropriate.
16. Copies and distributes maps, correspondence, reports, and related documents.
17. Maintains current manuals, policies/procedures, bulletins, map books, etc., for reference and/or review.
18. Maintains file system of departmental records.
19. Maintains inventory of departmental supplies and initiates requests for new or replacement materials.
20. Answers the telephone, provides information, takes messages and/or directs calls as appropriate.
21. Communicates effectively and coherently over radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
22. Responds to requests for information or assistance.
23. Maintains a knowledge of the geography and street locations of the County.
24. Processes citations, warrants and restraining orders.

Knowledge of:  Modern office practices and procedures including filing and record keeping methods; clerical activities related to an organization's programs and operations; basic mathematics; standard office equipment; and basic computer applications and techniques.
 
Ability to:  Learn policies and procedures utilized in dispatching units to emergencies; learn radio codes used in public safety work; learn local road system and geographical layout; operate radio equipment quickly and calmly in routine and emergency situations; work under pressure; understand, retain, and transmit data while performing several functions at one time; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, various public agencies, the general public, and others contacted in the course of work; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; prepare and maintain accurate reports and records; perform clerical work of average difficulty; operate communications equipment and standard office equipment; type at 30 words per minute; operate a computer keyboard accurately and with appropriate speed; and utilize various software programs relevant to the position.
 
Education and Experience:  One year of experience performing general office duties or completion of high school, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.Essential Duties require the following physical skills and work requirements:
Ability to operate communications equipment by performing multiple hand and foot functions simultaneously; remain calm in emergencies; understand, retain, and transmit data while performing several functions at one time; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; must have normal hearing in both ears; requires sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as typing and data entry.
 
Other Requirements:  Satisfactory completion of the following:  thorough background investigation; evaluation of oral communication skills; preplacement medical examination.
 
License or Certificate:  P.O.S.T. certified 120-hour Basic Complaint/Dispatcher course within twelve months of the date of hire.

Recruitment Process
The recruitment process for this position includes completing an application, successfully providing a valid typing test at 30 W.P.M. (net) and successful participation in the POST Dispatcher exam; participating in oral interview(s) and for some positions, successfully passing a bilingual examination or sign language examination. Please notify the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing date for this position if you believe you have a disability, which would make it difficult to participate in any portion of the recruitment process and would require reasonable accommodation. Sutter County reserves the right to require medical documentation concerning the need for accommodation. Offers of employment are contingent upon investigation of employment history, references, drug testing, medical review/exam and fingerprinting in addition to other appropriate requirements of the position

NOTE: Sutter County utilizes E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of employees to work in the United States.

The County of Sutter is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Sutter County encourages both incumbents and individuals who have been offered employment to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $50,128 - $72,426