Communications Dispatcher I

Under supervision, initially in a training capacity, to answer 9-1-1 calls and dispatch personnel and equipment for one or more public safety operations.

Start an exciting career and become a 9-1-1 Dispatcher Watch these videos to hear from 9-1-1 Dispatchers who work for County of Santa Clara's Dispatch Operations Center.

Requirements

This is a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) position. Candidates must successfully pass a complete background investigation including fingerprints, polygraph, psychological and medical examinations. Applicants with a felony conviction and/or a conviction outside of California that would be considered a felony in this state will be disqualified.

After passing the exam, hiring interview and screening processes, candidates are eligible to be hired as Communications Dispatcher I - Unclassified (U) and attend the 8-week Basic Communications Dispatcher Academy training program as a trainee. Benefits include medical, dental, and life insurance programs.

Communications Dispatcher I - U are eligible to become classified Communications Dispatcher I's and be considered probationary employees of County Communications. A newly appointed Communications Dispatcher I must successfully complete an 18-month probationary period during which they will be required to complete additional training under the supervision of a trainer.

**Candidates hired as Classified Communications Dispatcher I may be eligible to receive a sign-on bonus, up to $5,000**

Please Note: Applicants who meet the employment standards will be invited to take the written examination tentatively scheduled for the week of December 16, 2025. The exam date(s) may change based on the number of applicants.

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• Receives training in the reception and transmission of radio calls;

• Operates a variety of communications equipment, including radio base stations, radio consoles, hand-held radios, telephone, and other communications equipment;

• Monitors public safety frequencies;

• Operates data communication terminals;

• Conducts various database searches to obtain information in response to requests from law enforcement personnel;

• Records the nature and source of all incoming and outgoing radio messages, as required;

• After becoming proficient in 9-1-1 call answering and law dispatching, may be trained in other dispatching communities;

• Keeps apprised of current trends in law dispatching, ensuring that continuing education requirements are met;

• Receives law, fire, and medical calls for service;

• Creates and maintains accurate and well-organized records for documentation and retrieval purposes;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;

• Performs other related duties, as required.

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through training and experience equivalent to possession of a high school diploma;

and

One (1) year of experience performing work where the essential functions of the job involved public contact, computer usage, and/or heavy telephone traffic.

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to pass a background investigation, including a psychological evaluation and polygraph;

• Successfully complete the Peace Officer Standards and Training Certification Training Course within one (1) year of appointment or vacate the position;

• Per Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Program Regulation 1018, every Public Safety Dispatcher shall satisfactorily complete the Continuing Professional Training (CPT) requirement of 24 or more hours of POST-qualifying training during every two-year CPT cycle, based on the statewide CPT Anniversary Date as specified in subsection 1018(d)(2);

• Attain certification by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD), Emergency Fire Dispatcher (EFD), and Emergency Police Dispatcher (EPD) within one (1) year of appointment or vacate the position;

• Maintain EMD, EFD, and EPD certifications, including completing the required continuing education training for each Priority Dispatch System;

• As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Customer service and interpersonal communications principles;

• Simple record keeping;

• Basic computer use;

• Telephone call-handling techniques.

Ability to:

• Learn to dispatch public safety personnel and equipment in a quick and efficient manner;

• Learn the operation of two-way radio and telephone communications equipment;

• Monitor audible information from multiple sources (telephone, radio, and co-workers) in an open space and noisy environment;

• Perform multiple tasks while monitoring background radio communications;

• Multi-task requiring simultaneous typing (rapid keyboarding), talking on the radio, answering multiple telephone calls, and switching between computer screens and applications;

• Learn to enter information accurately and quickly in the computer system while receiving information via radio and telephone;

• Learn and adhere to Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Systems and other related technology;

• Learn and remember locations and common place names of highways, major streets, industrial plants, county parks, and commercial and public buildings;

• Learn and remember the policies and procedures of the department and County, State, and Federal rules, and regulations, as required;

• Retain, recall, and evaluate facts and/or details solely from memory;

• Work under pressure; exercising good judgment and common sense while making sound decisions in emergency situations;

• Read and interpret various mapping devices and relay pertinent information;

• Document information in English in a clear, organized, concise, and understandable manner;

• Read, interpret, understand, and follow written and oral instructions and/or information in English;

• Use a keyboard and other peripheral computer equipment with rapid keyboarding and a high level of accuracy;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, emergency personnel, other agencies, and the public;

• Provide effective customer service;

• Deal tactfully with the public, law enforcement, and other officials;

• Transition from periods of mental and physical inactivity to periods of intense and stressful mental and physical activity (rapid keyboarding) at a moment's notice;

• Complete all mandated training requirements;

• Maintain composure and work accurately under pressure or when faced with stressful situations.

• Work alternate work week schedule; work on weekends, holidays, and at odd or irregular hours;

• Work in a confined area and wear a headset.