Sheriff's Communications Dispatcher I
Salary
$78,914.01 - $95,924.04 Annually
Location
Santa Rosa, CA
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
26/07-1691-OC
Department
Sheriffs Office (SHF)
Opening Date
07/07/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
Bargaining Unit
30
Position Information
Support your community in a personally rewarding career by joining the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office family as a Sheriff's Communications Dispatcher I.
No experience required and multiple positions available!
Starting salary up to $45.96/hour ($95,924/year), and a competitive total compensation package!*
Note: If you are an experienced Communications Dispatcher who has worked in a law enforcement environment for one or more years, the Sheriffs Office is currently recruiting for Sheriffs Office Communications Dispatcher IIs. If you are interested in being considered for the II-level opportunity, you must apply to the separate recruitment.
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 youre working to better our communities. You can also look forward to excellent benefits* including:
Become a Sheriffs Communications Dispatcher I
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 Sheriffs Office.
Whether youre driven by a desire to serve your community, grow professionally, or take on new challenges, a career as a dispatcher with the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office offers meaningful work and opportunities for advancement. As a dispatcher, youll 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, youll 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 Sheriffs 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 youre looking for a career that is challenging, meaningful, and offers continuous opportunities to learn and grow, consider joining the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office as a Dispatcher. Youll receive the training, resources, and support needed to succeed while making a lasting impact on the community you serve.
In this entry-level Dispatcher position, you will receive significant training on how to effectively handle a variety of emergency situations. Once on-the-job training is complete, Dispatchers take emergency calls, dispatch, track, and monitor situations happening in the community, and assist Deputies in the field in a wide variety of situations ranging from looking for a missing person to responding to a robbery in progress. In addition to compassion and empathy, the ideal candidates will possess excellent judgment and:
In our 24/7 environment, overtime is required and Dispatchers must have the flexibility to work all shifts (nights, swings, weekends, holidays, and mandatory overtime/holdovers). As you gain experience and seniority, there is more flexibility in selecting shifts.
Please note that skills and abilities testing will be conducted by the Sheriffs Office for referred applicants using CritiCall.https://criticall911.com/dispatcher-testing/applicants Top scoring applicants will be contacted for department selection interviews by the Sheriffs Office. 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 Sheriffs Office.
The Sheriffs Office is currently recruiting to fill multiple Sheriffs Communications Dispatcher positions at both the I and II levels. This Sheriffs Office Communications Dispatcher I 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 I.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience and Education: Any combination of experience, training, and education which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, this would include graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D. Some experience receiving information over the phone, radio, or communications system, and simultaneously entering data into a computer is desirable.
Special requirement: Within one year of employment, and as a condition of probation, employees in this classification shall complete a P.O.S.T. certified Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course.
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.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Some knowledge of: streets, roads, major buildings and geography of Sonoma County; the functions of the Sheriff's Office and other public safety agencies; 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: speak clearly and concisely in English; react quickly, efficiently and calmly in an emergency situation, and adopt an effective course of action; handle inquiries from the public in a courteous and effective manner; learn rules and regulations, including applicable Federal Communications Regulations and their application; understand and follow complex written and oral instructions; learn to operate communications equipment; keep records; type on a keyboard; and work a shift schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
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 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 Sheriffs Office for online skills based testing using CritiCall.
Additional Information
Being part of the Sheriffs 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 Sheriffs Office Pre-Employment Drug Use Guidelines 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 announcement 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
Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
County of Sonoma Benefits:*
These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.
Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired.
IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.
Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at Labor Agreements & Salary Resolution. For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to Human Resources or contact the Human Resources Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonomacounty.gov or (707) 565-2900.
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How did you first learn about this opportunity?
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Please indicate if you would also be interested in future part-time or extra-help (temporary, intermittent, or seasonal employment) positions should they become available. Check all that apply.
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This eligible list may be used for future bilingual (English/Spanish) positions. Please indicate if you are interested in bilingual positions, and your level of proficiency.
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Have you reviewed and do you understand the Sheriffs Office Drug Guidelines? (Please note, if you do not have Internet access, you can request the drug standards packet from the Human Resources reception desk.)
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Are you willing to undergo a thorough background investigation, which may include a review of criminal, employment, education, driving, and credit records, and an inquiry into your personal and social history, including any use of drugs and/or alcohol?
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Are you willing to work any shift assignments, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays?
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Are you a high school graduate or do you possess a General Education Development (GED) certificate?
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To the best of your knowledge, is your typing speed 45 words per minute or greater? (Your typing speed will be tested as part of the department selection process.)
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We invite and encourage all of our prospective applicants to view the following YouTube video prior to submitting an application because it gives a general idea of what you can expect this positions day-to-day tasks to be. This video is not intended to discourage our prospective applicants from applying, but to provide a quick insight into what this position entails. Please keep in mind that this is a roughly 4-minute video of a 10-hour shift at an older communications center similar to the one at the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office. Watching this video has no effect on your application or the hiring process and is only meant to be informative.
Working as a Dispatcher
Have you viewed this video?
Required Question
Employer County of Sonoma (CA)
Address 575 Administration Drive, Suite 116B
Santa Rosa, California, 95403
Phone (707) 565-1701