Salary : $88,857.60 – $111,155.20 Annually
Location : Redwood City, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: V048B
Department: Public Safety Communications
Opening Date: 08/16/2023
Description
Calling all EMS/FIRE and LAW ENFORCEMENT Dispatchers!
If you are currently an experienced Public Safety Dispatcher, we want you!
THIS IS NOT AN ENTRY LEVEL POSITION.
Applicants must have current experience as a public safety dispatcher.
Want to be the best? Then come work with the best:
San Mateo County Public Safety Communications dispatches for police, fire, and medical services throughout San Mateo County including the cities of San Carlos, Millbrae, Half Moon Bay, Daly City, and East Palo Alto. We offer a progressive entry level and continuing in-house training program, fire incident dispatch, and law enforcement tactical dispatch programs, as well as many other career development opportunities and programs.
Our new dispatch facility is state-of-the-art and provides all the tools for dispatchers to be successful. The Regional Operations Center boasts the latest consoles and communication systems, including a brand-new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. We value personal wellbeing and offer an onsite gym, Quiet Room, and full kitchen for the use of our employees. The floor-to-ceiling windows allow plenty of light into the Communications Center.
You know you love being a dispatcher – after all, it’s the hardest job you’ll ever love. Consider dispatching for San Mateo County!
The Ideal Candidate will have:
- Knowledge of Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) operation.
- Knowledge of basic computer use in a business office and Communications Center environment.
- Ability to operate various types of communications equipment including public safety telephones, two-way radio systems, data terminals, and other related technologies.
- Ability to utilize available resources.
NOTE: The successful incumbent MUST be willing to work day, swing, graveyard, rotating, holiday, and weekend shifts including preplanned and last minute mandatory overtime.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.
- A typical way to qualify is one year of experience working as a communications dispatcher or related position with a public safety agency within the last three years.
A public safety agency is defined as an agency that receives and processes emergency calls for service for police, fire, and/or emergency medical services. Other types of emergency call center experience such as, but not limited to, road service, security, or basic life support ambulance should apply for an entry level Communications Dispatcher I or Calltaker position.
Knowledge of:
- English language, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
- Customer service and interpersonal communications principles.
- Computer operation and use in office and Communications Center environments.
- Basic principles in communicating by means of face-to-face contact, telephone, and/or data terminals.
- Public safety entities who provide emergency services within San Mateo County.
- Various resources within the County in order to provide referrals to the public and public safety agencies.
Skill/Ability to:
- Speak, read, and write English clearly.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, in English, both orally and in writing.
- Operate various types of communications equipment including public safety telephone, data terminals, and other related technologies.
- Read and interpret various mapping devices and relay pertinent information.
- Work under pressure, exercising good judgment and common sense while making sound decisions in emergency situations.
- Prioritize and determine an appropriate course of action based on a given set of circumstances.
- Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Listen, understand, and relay information via radio, telephone, and in person.
- Remain calm and controlled during stressful periods while projecting a professional demeanor.
- Establish and maintain positive and courteous working relationships with customers, the community, and co-workers.
- Participate in Communications Center teamwork while maintaining assigned job responsibilities and duties.
- Anticipate and adapt to fluctuating workloads in the Communications Center.
- Communicate and receive feedback and opinions to affect change.
- Access and refer to information using available resources.
- Read, interpret, understand, and follow written and oral instructions and/or information.
- Remain seated for long periods of time.
- Read standard text/data on electronic screen or computer terminal teletype printouts and variety of maps.
- Hear in an open space and noisy environment with static or weak transmissions and/or telephone conversations.
Other Requirements:
- Successfully complete a pre-employment medical examination and be subject to polygraph testing.
- Follow strict Drug Use standards and guidelines.
- Possess good moral character and psychological suitability as determined by a thorough background investigation, including fingerprinting and psychological evaluation.
- Be willing to work day, swing, graveyard, rotating, holiday, and weekend shifts.
Application/Examination
This is an open recruitment. Anyone may apply. Thorough and detailed responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to the standard San Mateo County employment application. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
The examination process will consist of a scored relevant Training and Experience (T&E) evaluation (weight: 100%) based solely on the candidates’ responses to the supplemental questions.
Candidates who receive a passing score in the T&E evaluation will be invited to a departmental interview. Because of this screening process, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the next phase of the examination process.
Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.
Subsequent phases of the selection process include a departmental hiring interview, background investigation, psychological evaluation, polygraph test, and medical examination. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the tests. Applicants must participate at their own expense.
This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time. The final filing date will be posted five days in advance on this job announcement.
Apply immediately. Applications will be processed as they are received. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and selections may be made at any time within the process.
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County’s website, you may click the “Apply” button above. If you are not on the County’s website, please go to: https://jobs.smcgov.orgto apply.
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities. The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work. The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.
HR Contact: Chet Overstreet (08162023) (Communications Dispatcher II – V048)
Please visit for a complete listing of all benefits for this classification.
Benefits are offered to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. All benefits are subject to change.
As an additional benefit, the County offers extensive training and development programs designed to improve skills and enhance career opportunities. Most programs are offered on County time at no cost to you.
County employees are also covered by the federal Social Security system and earn benefits for retirement based on salary and time worked.
01
INSTRUCTIONS: This is a Training and Experience Evaluation. In order for your application to receive every consideration in the selection process, you must complete each of the following Supplemental Questions. Your responses should be consistent with the information in your standard County of San Mateo application and are subject to verification. Responses to this Supplemental Questionnaire will be scored using a predetermined formula, weighted pass/fail. Note: A resume will not be accepted in lieu of your answers to the questions.
- I have read and understand the above instruction.
02
Experience – What is your previous experience as it relates to this position?
- More than 5 years working as a Communications Dispatcher in a Public Safety Communications Center
- More than 3 years working as a Communications Dispatcher in a Public Safety Communications Center
- More than 1 year working as a Communications Dispatcher in a Public Safety Communications Center
- Worked as an intern or trainee in a Public Safety Communications Center (If you check this box, you should be applying for the Communications Dispatcher I/Calltaker position. Your application for Lateral will be rejected.)
- None, but willing to learn (If you check this box, you should be applying for the Communications Dispatcher I/Calltaker position. Your application for Lateral will be rejected.)
03
Experience – Considering your previous work experience, when were you last employed working in this capacity?
- Within the last year
- Within the last two years
- Within the last three years
- More than 3 years ago (If you check this box, you should be applying for the Communications Dispatcher I/Calltaker position. Your application for Lateral will be rejected.)
- Never, but willing to learn (If you check this box, you should be applying for the Communications Dispatcher I/Calltaker position. Your application for Lateral will be rejected.)
04
Which of the employer(s) listed in your job application work history can verify your responses to Questions 2-3? (Make sure you have provided complete information on your job application, including supervisor’s name, telephone number and your specific duties.)
05
Computer-Aided Dispatching (CAD) – How many years of experience do you have utilizing CAD?
- More than 5 years of experience utilizing Computer-Aided Dispatching
- More than 3 years of experience utilizing Computer-Aided Dispatching
- More than 1 year of experience utilizing Computer-Aided Dispatching
- I have studied or learned about Computer-Aided Dispatching (If you check this box, you should be applying for the Communications Dispatcher I/Calltaker position. Your application for Lateral will be rejected.)
- None, but willing to learn (If you check this box, you should be applying for the Communications Dispatcher I/Calltaker position. Your application for Lateral will be rejected.)
06
Computer-Aided Dispatching (CAD) – Considering your previous work experience, when were you last employed working in this capacity?
- Within the last year
- Within the last two years
- Within the last three years
- I have worked in a Fire/EMS only Communications Center with secondary PSAP duties within the last 3 years
- More than 3 years ago (If you check this box, you should be applying for the Communications Dispatcher I/Calltaker position. Your application for Lateral will be rejected.)
- Never, but willing to learn (If you check this box, you should be applying for the Communications Dispatcher I/Calltaker position. Your application for Lateral will be rejected.)
07
Which of the employer(s) listed in your job application work history can verify your responses to Questions 5-6? (Make sure you have provided complete information on your job application, including supervisor’s name, telephone number and your specific duties.)
08
California Law Enforcement Telecommunications Systems (CLETS) – How many years of experience do you have utilizing CLETS or a comparable law enforcement telecommunications system?
- More than 5 years of experience utilizing CLETS
- More than 3 years of experience utilizing CLETS
- More than 1 year of experience utilizing CLETS
- More than 1 year of experience in an out of state Law Enforcement Communications Center or A Fire and/or EMS only Communications Center with no CLETS experience
- I have studied or learned about CLETS or a comparable system
- None, but willing to learn (If you check this box, you should be applying for the Communications Dispatcher I/Calltaker position. Your application for Lateral will be rejected.)
09
California Law Enforcement Telecommunications Systems (CLETS) – Considering your previous work experience, when were you last employed working in this capacity?
- Within the last year
- Within the last 2 years
- Within the last 3 years
- I have worked in an out of state Law Enforcement Communications Center or a Fire/EMS only Communications Center with no CLETS experience
- More than 3 years ago (If you check this box, you should be applying for the Communications Dispatcher I/Calltaker position. Your application for Lateral will be rejected.)
- Never, but willing to learn (If you check this box, you should be applying for the Communications Dispatcher I/Calltaker position. Your application for Lateral will be rejected.)
10
Enhanced 911 Operations – How many years of experience do you have utilizing enhanced 911 operations?
- More than 5 years of experience utilizing enhanced 911 operations
- More than 3 years of experience utilizing enhanced 911 operations
- More than 1 year of experience utilizing enhanced 911 operations
- I have studied or learned about enhanced 911 operations
- More than 1 year of experience in a Fire and/or EMS only communications center with no enhanced 911 operations.
- None, but willing to learn
11
Enhanced 911 Operations – Considering your previous work experience, when were you last employed working in this capacity?
- Within the last year
- Within the last 2 years
- Within the last 3 years
- I have worked in a Fire/EMS only Communications Center with no enhanced 911 operations.
- More than 3 years ago
- Never, but willing to learn
12
Which of the employer(s) listed in your job application work history can verify your responses to Questions 8-11? (Make sure you have provided complete information on your job application, including supervisor’s name, telephone number and your specific duties.)
13
Dispatch Academy – What is your current experience level?
- I have successfully completed the Peace Officer Standards and Training – (POST) Basic Dispatch Academy.
- I have successfully completed a certified dispatch academy.
- I am currently enrolled in a certified dispatch academy.
- I am interested in attending a dispatch academy.
14
Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD) – How many years of experience do you have utilizing EMD?
- More than 5 years of experience utilizing Emergency Medical Dispatching
- More than 3 years of experience utilizing Emergency Medical Dispatching
- More than 1 year of experience utilizing Emergency Medical Dispatching
- I have used EMD in a Fire and/or EMS only dispatch center – no law enforcement experience
- I have studied or learned about Emergency Medical Dispatching
- None, but willing to learn
15
Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD) – Considering your previous work experience, when were you last employed working in this capacity?
- Within the last year
- Within the last two years
- Within the last three years
- More than three years ago
- Never, but willing to learn
16
The Dispatcher II/Lateral position requires working 12 to sometimes 16 hours per shift. This includes nights, holidays and weekends. In addition, there may be occasions that require last minute mandatory overtime assignments.
- I understand and am willing and able to meet this requirement.
- I am not willing or am not able to meet this requirement
17
IMPORTANT: Applicants for this position are required to submit responses in narrative format to the following two supplemental questions. Your responses will provide additional information about your background and experience related to this position. This information will weigh heavily in the screening process and will also be used in the selection process. This is a competitive process. Please answer the questions completely, paying attention to all parts of the multi-part questions. While being thorough and detailed, also be concise. Your strategic use of language will be considered. Neatness, clarity of expression, attention to detail, proper use of grammar and the ability to follow instructions will also be considered in the evaluation process. I have read and understand this information.
- Yes
- No
18
Describe how you manage stressful situations and provide an example of how you incorporated those skills in a stressful situation. Then explain how you handle the stress of working as a public safety dispatcher.
19
Describe your ability to multi-task in a high performance environment. Then, provide an example of a time when you demonstrated that ability.
20
The County has an Employee Referral Program whereby current employees are recognized monetarily for referring successful applicants for employment into “hard-to-fill” positions. Were you referred to this position by a current County of San Mateo employee? If yes, please provide the name of employee. (Must be provided at the time of application.)
Required Question