Communications Dispatcher - Lateral (Experienced)

Communications Dispatcher - Lateral (Experienced) Salary

$93,371.20 - $111,737.60 Annually

Location

San Rafael, CA

Job Type

Full Time, Regular

Job Number

0906-26-02

Department

Marin County Sheriffs Office

Opening Date

01/30/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

Signing Bonus

$10,000

Weekly Schedule

40 hrs.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

The County of Marin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Persons of color, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and adults of all ages are strongly encouraged to apply.

Individuals with Disabilities

If you are a person with a disability and are unable to complete an online application or require an accommodation to participate in a recruitment, you must contact Human Resources at least five work days in advance of the testing step or interview. Please contact the Human Resources Staffing Division at (415) 473-2126 (CRS DIAL 711).

Description

Benefits

• Competitive compensations package
• $10,000 signing bonus, split into two equal payments
• Advanced paid vacation and/or sick leave
• Bilingual Premium Pay - 5% on top of hourly pay rate for fluent bilingual positions
• Differential Pay - 5% for swing and 10% for graveyard/night shifts
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals and 12 paid holidays per year
• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance - Cafeteria-style health and welfare benefit plan
• Paid Parental Leave - Up to 6 weeks (240 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• County Contribution for Dependent Care - Dollar-for-dollar match up to $1,200 pretax annually for Dependent Care expenses
• Commute Alternatives Program (RideGreen) - Pre-tax transportation benefit
• Career Development - Up to 24 hours each year for training classes
• Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) - Eligible employees can apply to get up to $3,000 each fiscal year
• Retirement - Defined benefit plan under the County Employees Retirement Act of 1937
• IRS 457 Plan - Choice of pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum
• Retiree Medical - The County provides access to group health plan coverage to eligible retirees
• Onsite workout facilities

About the Marin County Sheriffs Office

The Marin County Sheriffs Office is committed to partnering with our communities to provide leadership and excellence in public safety. We take pride in our department and work hard to provide a safe environment for our residents. The department is divided into three major bureaus: Administrative and Support Services, Detention Services, and Field Services, in addition to operating the countywide Major Crime Task Force.

Responsibilities of the Sheriffs Office Bureaus

• Providing general law enforcement services in the unincorporated communities of Marin County
• Maintaining the county jail
• Providing security to the Superior Court
• Operating a countywide communications division
• Performing death investigations under the purview of the Coroner
• Operating a documentary services division consisting of records, warrants, civil units, and more

About the Position

Under the general supervision of a Supervising Communications Dispatcher, this journey-level, non-sworn class is assigned to the 24/7 Communications Dispatch Center in the Sheriff's Office. Communications Dispatchers at this level operate a wide variety of complex emergency communications equipment, including a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), 9-1-1 phone system, and countywide radio system. Dispatchers are responsible for processing calls and dispatching emergency law enforcement, and other public safety equipment and personnel with relative independence upon completion of a training program. Communications Dispatchers may also be assigned as a trainer.

About You

Our Highly Qualified Candidate:

• Has experience in call taking and dispatching in a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) providing dispatch services to law enforcement agencies while utilizing a CAD and 911 phone systems
• Is an effective communicator with the ability to multi-task while providing excellent customer service
• Has experience using CLETS and other law enforcement databases and can work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment
• Possesses strong interpersonal skills and good judgment

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of the cities, highways, main streets, major buildings, and geography of Marin County
• Knowledge of the function, organization, purpose, and procedure of a public safety communications center
• Ability to operate a variety of telecommunications equipment, including two-way radios, multi-line systems, and automated equipment
• Ability to obtain and record accurate and detailed information by telephone and personal contact
• Ability to dispatch information quickly, efficiently, and exactly as received
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in resolving problems
• Ability to speak clearly and concisely in English
• Ability to react quickly, efficiently, and calmly in an emergency situation and adopt an effective course of action

Minimum Qualifications

• Age: Must be at least 18 years of age
• Education: Equivalent to graduation from high school
• Experience: Two (2) years of journey level experience dispatching law enforcement and/or fire/medical resources within the last three (3) years
• Must successfully complete the Marin County Sheriff's Office training program for laterals within twelve (12) months of appointment
• Applications indicating felony convictions will not be accepted as per California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) requirements
• Applicants must be able to work shift assignments and any hours of the day or night, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required to operate a 24-hour, 7-day per week public safety facility

Certifications and Licenses

• Possession of a California Commission on Peace Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate
• Failure to maintain the Peace Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate during employment will result in the termination of employment

Important Information

• If you have questions concerning this position announcement, please contact Linda Kline at linda.kline@marincounty.gov
• All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process
• Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you
• You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails
• Testing and Eligible List: Depending on the number of qualified applications received, the examination may consist of a highly qualified review, application screening, online assessment, written examination, oral examination, performance examination, or any combination to determine which candidates names will be placed on the eligible list
• The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill the current vacancy, and any future vacancies for open, fixed-term, full-time, or part-time positions which may occur while the list remains active
• Open & Continuous Recruitment: This recruitment is Open and Continuous. Applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible
• Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications for this position may be certified directly to the Sheriffs Office for a selection interview

Special Requirements

• Ability to successfully pass the pre-employment controlled substance use standards, a background investigation, and polygraph examination (or computer voice stress analyzer examination), medical exam, and job-simulating psychological examination as conducted by the Marin County Sheriffs Office
• Drug Use Standards: Click here for more information on pre-employment drug use guidelines
• Personal Appearance Standards - Tattoos: No tattoo or body art that is offensive, demeaning, or prejudicial to good order shall be visible
• NOTE: There is a waiting period for those applicants who are disqualified during the selection process. Applicants who withdraw from the process or are interviewed and not selected (INS) must wait six months; applicants who withdraw when in background or fail the psychological assessment must wait two years; and applicants who fail background (DQ) must wait three years

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

• If you have questions regarding equal employment opportunities, please contact Roger Crawford, Equal Employment Opportunity Director, at 415-473-2095

County of Marin Benefits

• Below are some of the excellent benefits the County offers. More information about our benefits can be found on the Marin Countys Benefits Homepage.
• Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual; 12 holidays per year; and generous sick leave accruals
• Health Plan: Choice of four health plans (two Kaiser HMOs, Western Health Advantage HMO, and an Anthem Blue Cross PPO) along with dental through Delta Dental PPO, and vision through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Retirement: Defined benefit plan under the County Employees Retirement Act of 1937
• IRS 457 Plan: Choice of pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum
• Retiree Medical: The County provides access to group health plan coverage to eligible retirees