COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
United States

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Job Details

Full-time
$4,690 - $7,306 a month

Qualifications

Computer operation
Phone inquiries
Criminal background research
Incident management
Phone communication
Emergency call-taking protocols
Mid-level
Radio communication systems
Dispatching for fire emergencies
Records management
Data management
Incident management operations support
Telephone systems
Emergency real-time monitoring tools
Emergency dispatch systems (law enforcement)

Full Job Description

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

JC-498073

Fire/EMS Dispatcher
COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

$4,690.00 - $7,306.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Job Description and Duties

This is a new advertisement for 2026. If you have previously applied to past Communications Operator job postings, you will need to reapply to this current advertisement to be considered for these positions.

Hires may be made in the following counties: Butte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Tehama.

Applications will be processed in rounds with the following cut-off dates:

May 8, 2026
June 10, 2026
July 9, 2026
August 10, 2026
September 9, 2026
October 9, 2026
November 6, 2026

Under general supervision, operates multifrequency/channel radio systems, law enforcement telecommunications terminals, computer terminals, and associated equipment; respond to telephone hot-line circuits; dispatch mobile law enforcement and emergency response units to specified points as required; identify locations where assistance is required, determine the availability and location of departmental units, and dispatch units by radio; request emergency services as requested or required by field personnel; respond to other law enforcement and emergency response agencies, dispatching departmental units for response as necessary; act as incident coordinators, tracking and responding to emergency response calls; access data related to warrants, driver licenses, vehicle and vessel registrations, hazardous materials, weapons, stolen property, and criminal history information through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System; access data on other law enforcement records' databases; maintain required logs; answer telephone inquiries and provide information; and perform other related duties.

Working Conditions

Must be available to work day and/or night shifts or a combination of each on a rotational basis, including weekends and holidays, as well as remain on duty and/or be called back to duty on short notice and for extended periods of time due to operational need and/or emergency activity.

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-498073

Position #(s):

542-000-1670-VAR

Working Title:

Fire/EMS Dispatcher

Classification:

COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

$4,690.00 - $6,459.00 A

$5,307.00 - $7,306.00 B

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:

United States

Telework:

In Office

Job Type:

12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Facility:

Northern Region

Department Information

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!

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.

Must succesfully complete required training.

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.

Application Instructions

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: Until Filled

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates 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

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring

Attn: Communications Operator Hiring

135 Ridgway Avenue

Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring

Communications Operator Hiring

135 Ridgway Avenue

Santa Rosa, CA 95401

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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 required and must be included.
Other - Authorization to Release Information Form (PO-299). This form may be found at: https://www.fire.ca.gov/-/media/D817B8E27D8049C3BC35297686467FB9

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Northern Region Hiring
(707) 576-2275

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:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
(916) 767-8359
[email protected]

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.

Special Filing Instructions

This advertisement is for Northern Region Units only.

Only ONE application package is required to be considered for Permanent and Limited Term positions for the Northern Region Units. You must indicate the Units interested on the Northern Region Communications Operator Work Location Form.

As stated on the application, your original signature certifies that the information entered on your application is true and complete to the best of your knowledge under penalty of perjury. For this reason, application packages will only be accepted by mail, dropped off in person, and electronically through your CalCareers account, and not by FAX or email.

If you submit an electronic application package and need to amend any documents submitted, please only submit the corrected document(s) by mail, and not the entire application package, by the final filing date.

Submit all required documents electronically through your CalCareers account or to the following address:

CAL FIRE - Northern Region Hiring
Attn: Communications Operator Hiring
135 Ridgway Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Application packages submitted or postmarked after the final filing date may not be considered. Failure to follow directions for any portion of the required application package may result in disqualification from the hiring process.

Additional Information

Candidates may be selected by resume review.

Limited Term appointment may be extended up to 24 months or may become permanent.

Hires are contingent upon passing a background investigation and medical exam.

FELONY DISCLOSURE

Pursuant to California Penal Code 4571, any individual interested in seeking employment that requires working with inmates at a conservation camp must disclose of any prior felony status up front, so CALFIRE/CDCR can provide informed consent to a former felon to be on the conservation camp/prison grounds. Any person/employee who has been convicted of a felony, and has not received written consent, is committing a felony.

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

How To Get A State Job

Individuals must pass an open examination before applying for most job vacancies with the State of California.

Use the “exam/assessment search” function on the CalCareers website at www.jobs.ca.gov to search for the examination you are interested in applying for. If the exam is currently being offered, you will need to follow the directions in the exam bulletin on how to apply for and take the exam. Not all examinations are offered continuously or at the time a job vacancy occurs.

Successful examination candidates are placed on an eligibility list. Candidates should refer to their examination results for specific list eligibility expiration dates and to re-take the exam when necessary. Once list eligibility has been established, you can search and apply for current vacancies in the classification to which you have established eligibility.

Candidates must also meet the minimum qualifications of the classification to be appointed into the classification they are applying for. Minimum qualifications can be found in the class specifications listed on the exam bulletin or on the CalCareers website. Application packages should include documentation and relevant experience that shows you have the required education and/or experience to meet the minimum qualifications.

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.

Application Methods:

Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)

By Mail

Drop-off

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