The Sheriff's Office seeks experienced, emergency law enforcement dispatchers!
Full-time and extra-help opportunities are available.
Starting salary up to $52.00/hour ($108,530/year), not including any premiums or differentials, and a competitive total compensation package (applicable for full- and part-time positions)! *
Note: The Sheriff's Office is currently recruiting for Sheriff's Communications Dispatcher I and II positions. If you would like to begin a career as a law enforcement Communications Dispatcher and need to gain experience, please apply to the separate, concurrent Sheriff's Communications Dispatcher I recruitment.
Current premiums and differentials offered to Sheriff's Communications Dispatcher IIs may include but are not limited to (Download PDF reader):
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POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Intermediate Certificate 3.5%
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POST Advanced Certificate 6.75%
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Communications Training Officer 5%
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Shift differentials for swing and grave hours range from 5% to 10%
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Certified bilingual basic $1.15/hr and fluent $1.50/hr
Transfer over or come back to your prior career as a Communications Dispatcher II
In the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, Communications Dispatcher IIs support both the public and law enforcement by receiving requests for information and providing pertinent data over the phone and radio. Responsibilities include:
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Monitoring radio frequencies
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Receiving and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls from the public
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Setting priorities among competing incoming events and dispatching appropriately
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Utilizing a computer-aided dispatch system
Supporting public safety during emergencies is a rewarding career for individuals who thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy solving problems under pressure, and excel at using advanced communication systems. While the work is challenging, dispatchers play a vital role in helping protect the community. Those with the dedication, resilience, and passion for public service are rewarded with the opportunity to make a difference when people need help most, while becoming part of the strong teamwork and camaraderie that define the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
Whether you're driven by a desire to serve your community, grow professionally, or take on new challenges, a career as a dispatcher with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office offers meaningful work and opportunities for advancement. As a dispatcher, you'll coordinate emergency and non-emergency communications for ground, marine, and air units in a dynamic environment where every shift presents new experiences. As your career progresses, you'll have opportunities to develop specialized skills and pursue unique assignments. As two examples, Tactical Dispatchers work alongside deputies in the field during specialized tactical operations or may provide communications support for law enforcement services at major events including Sonoma Raceway.
Beyond serving the Sheriff's Office, our Communications Center provides dispatch services for the Sonoma and Windsor Police Departments, Sonoma County Regional Parks, and Sonoma County Probation. This diverse range of responsibilities provides valuable experience and the opportunity to support multiple public safety agencies throughout Sonoma County. If you're looking for a career that is challenging, meaningful, and offers continuous opportunities to learn and grow, consider joining the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office as a Dispatcher. You'll receive the training, resources, and support needed to succeed while making a lasting impact on the community you serve.
Those that dispatch for public safety know in our 24/7 environment, Dispatchers must have the flexibility to work all shifts, including days, holidays, weekends, swings, nights, and overtime as required.
This full working level in the Dispatcher job series is for individuals who have completed a year of law enforcement emergency dispatch experience with a city, county, state, or federal agency. Possession of a California Commission of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Public Safety Dispatcher's Certificate is highly desired.
Please note that skills and abilities testing will be conducted by the Sheriff's Office for applicants selected for an interview using CritiCall.https://criticall911.com/dispatcher-testing/applicants. This is not a P.O.S.T. test. A T-Score or pass/fail letter will not be provided by the County of Sonoma Human Resources or the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
Being a Dispatcher can be demanding, but for those who have the fortitude and passion for this work, you will be rewarded with camaraderie and the opportunity to help others during the times when they most need support. To learn more about this assignment and how we serve the community, please visit the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office website.
In addition to compassion and empathy, the ideal candidates will possess many of the following:
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Significant experience working with the public and people in distress, as well as the ability to direct distressed callers through emergencies
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The ability to work swiftly, in stressful situations, to manage simultaneous situations
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Capacity to remain calm, clear, and in control
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Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
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The ability to read maps and provide clear directions
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Proficiency in basic computer programs, including Microsoft Office applications (Word and Excel)
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The ability to type quickly and accurately
Extra-Help Employment
Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Intermittent, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most regular employee benefits such as long-term disability insurance coverage, accrual of vacation, participation in the County retirement program, or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Intermittent, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of 1,380 hours within any twelve-month consecutive period. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.
What We Offer
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
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Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
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Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, and 12 paid holidays per year
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County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
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Staff Development/Wellness - Annual benefit allowances of up $850, and ongoing education/training opportunities
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Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
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Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
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Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
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Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
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Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education
- Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Association Memorandum Of Understanding (SCLEA MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.
The Sheriff's Office is currently recruiting to fill multiple Sheriff's Communications Dispatcher positions at both the I and II levels. This Sheriff's Communications Dispatcher II employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list.
Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service title of the position is Communications Dispatcher II.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.
Education and Experience: Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, this would include graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D, and one year of dispatch experience in a law enforcement setting comparable to Communications Dispatcher I.
Special requirement: Within one year of employment, and as a condition of probation, employees in this classification must obtain a P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher's Certificate, as awarded by the State of California, Commission on Police Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.).
Special skill requirement: This classification requires the ability to type at a corrected speed of 45 words per minute.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
The positions advertised on this announcement do not require possession of a valid California Driver’s License.
Working knowledge of: streets, roads, major buildings, and geography of Sonoma County; functions of the Sheriff's Office and other public safety agencies; applicable rules, regulations, and procedures including those of the Federal Communications Commission and their application; communications equipment; data entry techniques and computer operations; techniques for effectively working with members of various ages, ethnicities, and socio-economic groups; standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.
Ability to: accurately dispatch, coordinate and direct public safety equipment and personnel; speak clearly and concisely in English; operate communications equipment; operate a keyboard; react quickly, efficiently and calmly in an emergency situation, and to adopt an effective course of action; handle inquiries from the public in a courteous and effective manner; interpret rules and regulations to others; understand and follow complex written and oral instructions; keep records; and work shift schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
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You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
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You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
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Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.
Responses to supplemental questions will be used in assessing minimum qualifications. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient.
The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.
Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for invitation by the Sheriff's Office for online skills based testing using CritiCall.
Additional Information
Being part of the Sheriff's Office and being expected to keep the public safe requires a thorough background investigation process. This process includes an assessment of prior work history, verifying educational experiences, court reports, public records searches, and understanding past patterns relating to drug usage, financial patterns, etc. This entails gathering a significant amount of information from job candidates and speaking to former employers, friends, family members, etc. Polygraphs, drug tests, and medical and physical examinations are also part of this process. Candidates must be honest and forthcoming about information that may arise during the background process. Deception during any portion of this process is grounds for disqualification, even after employment. This process can take anywhere from 3-5 months. Many factors are taken into consideration and one should not assume a credit issue or prior drug use is automatically disqualifying. Candidates will be given the opportunity to present mitigating information they feel should be considered. You are encouraged to be as responsive as possible while this process is taking place to help expedite the timeline, and we encourage you to stay patient and interested in this great career opportunity while this process is taking place.
You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
Please read the Sheriff's Office Pre-Employment Drug Use Guidelines (Download PDF reader) for further information.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: AK
HR Technician: VH
