Address
Form of workSalary : $68,182.04 - $82,115.65 Annually
Location : Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 24-1803-01 (O)
Department: Sheriff's Office and Fire Department
Opening Date: 11/15/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
Notice of Change: This recruitment is now open on a continuous basis. We will be reviewing and processing applications on a weekly basis (excluding 12/25/23-1/1/24) until vacancies are filled.
Are you ready to make a profound impact on your community? We are seeking dedicated individuals to join our team as Communication Dispatchers (911 Dispatcher), the first lifeline for those in need during emergencies. As a Dispatcher, you will be providing critical support to those facing difficult situations. If you're passionate about serving your community and are looking for a rewarding and reliable career that truly makes a difference, please join us and be a part of the team that keeps our community safe and secure.
We have multiple full-time vacancies in our Sheriff's Office and Fire Department located in Santa Barbara, California.
Although the current vacancies are full-time, we may use this recruitment to fill part-time and extra-help (temporary) vacancies as well. The work schedule for this position will depend upon the needs of the department.
NOTE: If you are currently a dispatcher with a California public agency (i.e. Lateral Transfer), please apply to this recruitment for consideration.
Communications Dispatcher I
$32.67 - $39.34 Hourly
$68,182.04 - $82,115.65 Annually
Plus, a bilingual allowance of $95.00 per biweekly pay period for qualified employees
Communications Dispatcher II
$35.84 - $43.21 Hourly
$74,802.38 - $90,190.72 Annually
Plus, a bilingual allowance of $95.00 per biweekly pay period for qualified employees
Approved SALARY INCREASES are as follows:
6/24/2024 - 7.5% increase; 6/23/2025- 2.5% increase.
Employees promote from the I to the II level after completing the required training, obtaining required certifications, demonstrating required job competencies, and meeting performance standards. This typically takes 1-2 years. Candidates who apply to this recruitment with the required certifications and experience may be appointed at the II level.
Highlighted Benefits* & Compensation:
To learn more about County benefits, please visit these links:
Health Benefits and Wellness: CLICK HERE
Compensation Summary: CLICK HERE
*This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.
General Role Description
As a Dispatcher, your primary responsibility is to respond to emergency calls and provide critical assistance to individuals in distress. Your key job duties include swiftly and accurately answering emergency calls, gathering essential information from callers, and determining the nature and severity of the situation. You will dispatch the appropriate emergency services, such as law enforcement, fire, or medical personnel, while maintaining clear and reassuring communication with callers to provide vital instructions or support until help arrives. In addition to handling emergency calls, you will operate communication equipment and maintain detailed records of incidents.
Extensive training is provided and no prior experience is required.
The ideal candidate for this position should excel in high-stress communication scenarios, demonstrating effective and reassuring communication skills. They must uphold a strong reputation for honesty, trustworthiness, and good moral character, earning the trust and credibility of both colleagues and the public. Dependability, integrity, and sound judgment under pressure are also crucial qualities we seek in our ideal candidate, as they play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our community during emergencies.
Hiring Department Information
Please visit the following pages to learn more about the specific roles and requirements in the hiring departments:
Fire Department: Click here to learn more about the dispatcher position with the Fire Department and click hereto visit the website to learn more about the department.
Sheriff's Office: Clickhere to learn more about the position with the Sheriff's Office and click here to visit the website to learn more about the department
Examples of Duties
Employment Standards
Additional Requirements:
Desirable Qualifications: Multilingual in languages spoken in the County such as Spanish, Mixtec, Hmong or others relevant languages.
IROC and Aircraft training, EMD & EFD certification thru Priority Dispatch, and Communications Training Officer thru NENA.
Additional Requirements Sheriff's Office: Successful completion of a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certified Basic Complaint/Dispatch course during the one-year probationary period.
Additional Requirements for Fire Department: Successful completion of an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) and Emergency Fire Dispatcher (EFD) certification during the training period and maintained throughout employment.
Knowledge of: English language; basic customer service practices; and basic office computer applications such as Microsoft Office applications
Ability to: Learn to retain and relay information received under stressful conditions; hear, understand, and speak the English language; respond to calls and radio transmissions quickly and calmly and make sound decisions under pressure; learn to observe, receive, and otherwise obtain information from all relevant sources; learn to analyze information, evaluate results, and choose the best solution; solve problems; learn Federal, State, and local laws, and also local agency policies and procedures, terminology, jurisdictional boundaries, and available types of emergency services; to read maps and provide directions; clearly speak and communicate effectively over the telephone and radio; remain calm in stressful situations; perform multiple tasks simultaneously; learn use of multiple computer and telephone systems; communicate with people of diverse social and cultural backgrounds; follow written and oral instructions; establish and maintain working relationships with other agencies; and operate a telephone, computer, mouse, and keyboard.
Supplemental Information
Please read the SELECTION PROCESS; Be sure to frequently check your email throughout this entire process, as this is the only way we will be notifying applicants regarding their status and to provide all of the important information throughout the recruitment process.
SELECTION & EXAMINATION PROCESS
Applications will be reviewed and processed on a weekly basis until vacancies are filled.
1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Online Skill Keyboarding Assessment: Qualified candidates will be notified by email with instructions to complete the online Keyboarding assessment. The deadline to complete the assessment will be clearly stated in the invitation. Candidates must complete and pass the keyboarding assessment to advance in the recruitment process.
3. CritiCall Computerized Exam (Online): Candidates who pass the keyboarding assessment will be invited by email to the online CritiCall exam. The CritiCall exam is a computerized software testing program that tests job-related skills and multi-tasking abilities required in the complex dispatching environment. In person exam date(s) will be offered for those who prefer to use a computer lab by visiting the dispatcher centers. Candidates are required to pass the exam to be placed on the employment list.
Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70% on the CritiCall exam to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.
Recruiter will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment and Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
If you are a regular employee of another public agency operating in a personnel merit system in the State of California and want to laterally transfer to this position with the County of Santa Barbara. Please apply to the lateral transfer recruitment .
HIRING PROCESS
Both hiring departments require candidates to pass a background check process, a medical evaluation, and a psychological evaluation. The background check process is different for each hiring department so please click on the hiring department links below to learn more about the background and hiring process for each department.
Clickhere to learn more about the back...
Location : Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 24-1803-01 (O)
Department: Sheriff's Office and Fire Department
Opening Date: 11/15/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
Notice of Change: This recruitment is now open on a continuous basis. We will be reviewing and processing applications on a weekly basis (excluding 12/25/23-1/1/24) until vacancies are filled.
Are you ready to make a profound impact on your community? We are seeking dedicated individuals to join our team as Communication Dispatchers (911 Dispatcher), the first lifeline for those in need during emergencies. As a Dispatcher, you will be providing critical support to those facing difficult situations. If you're passionate about serving your community and are looking for a rewarding and reliable career that truly makes a difference, please join us and be a part of the team that keeps our community safe and secure.
We have multiple full-time vacancies in our Sheriff's Office and Fire Department located in Santa Barbara, California.
Although the current vacancies are full-time, we may use this recruitment to fill part-time and extra-help (temporary) vacancies as well. The work schedule for this position will depend upon the needs of the department.
NOTE: If you are currently a dispatcher with a California public agency (i.e. Lateral Transfer), please apply to this recruitment for consideration.
Communications Dispatcher I
$32.67 - $39.34 Hourly
$68,182.04 - $82,115.65 Annually
Plus, a bilingual allowance of $95.00 per biweekly pay period for qualified employees
Communications Dispatcher II
$35.84 - $43.21 Hourly
$74,802.38 - $90,190.72 Annually
Plus, a bilingual allowance of $95.00 per biweekly pay period for qualified employees
Approved SALARY INCREASES are as follows:
6/24/2024 - 7.5% increase; 6/23/2025- 2.5% increase.
Employees promote from the I to the II level after completing the required training, obtaining required certifications, demonstrating required job competencies, and meeting performance standards. This typically takes 1-2 years. Candidates who apply to this recruitment with the required certifications and experience may be appointed at the II level.
Highlighted Benefits* & Compensation:
- Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment. Applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.
- Sick Leave: 12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.
- Health Plan: Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward medical premiums.
- On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria: Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents over age 15.
- Shift Differential Pay: 75 cents to $1.50 per hour for regularly assigned specific night shift hours.
- Emergency Medical Dispatcher: $150.00 bi-weekly incentive
- New Hire Incentive: Incumbent may be eligible for a hiring bonus (including laterals)
- Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, 1937 Act plans, and more.
- For more information on our retirement plans, please visit:
To learn more about County benefits, please visit these links:
Health Benefits and Wellness: CLICK HERE
Compensation Summary: CLICK HERE
*This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.
General Role Description
As a Dispatcher, your primary responsibility is to respond to emergency calls and provide critical assistance to individuals in distress. Your key job duties include swiftly and accurately answering emergency calls, gathering essential information from callers, and determining the nature and severity of the situation. You will dispatch the appropriate emergency services, such as law enforcement, fire, or medical personnel, while maintaining clear and reassuring communication with callers to provide vital instructions or support until help arrives. In addition to handling emergency calls, you will operate communication equipment and maintain detailed records of incidents.
Extensive training is provided and no prior experience is required.
The ideal candidate for this position should excel in high-stress communication scenarios, demonstrating effective and reassuring communication skills. They must uphold a strong reputation for honesty, trustworthiness, and good moral character, earning the trust and credibility of both colleagues and the public. Dependability, integrity, and sound judgment under pressure are also crucial qualities we seek in our ideal candidate, as they play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our community during emergencies.
Hiring Department Information
Please visit the following pages to learn more about the specific roles and requirements in the hiring departments:
Fire Department: Click here to learn more about the dispatcher position with the Fire Department and click hereto visit the website to learn more about the department.
Sheriff's Office: Clickhere to learn more about the position with the Sheriff's Office and click here to visit the website to learn more about the department
Examples of Duties
- Receives non-emergency and emergency requests (including 911 calls) for sheriff/fire protection, medical, or emergency services; and obtains relevant information and inputs data, evaluates and prioritizes calls for service and dispatches appropriate personnel and equipment.
- Using a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system, monitors and updates fire, ambulance, and sheriff unit location and status in order to coordinate emergency field operations; provides backup support and information as necessary by operating a two-way radio; requests additional assistance from other agencies as necessary; and obtains computerized law enforcement information from local, state, and federal data banks through a telecommunications terminal.
- Maintains reference cards, logs, reports, procedure manuals, reference manuals, files, and other documents; and performs other clerical duties.
- Coordinates communications between multiple units, agencies and jurisdictions, including aircraft responding to fire and emergency medical incidents.
- Simultaneously monitors and transmits on multiple radio channels and multiple transmitters; and maintains contact with and monitors status of field units.
- Could be expected to testify in court.
- Utilizes CLETS to determine and confirm information and enters and removes information. (Sheriff's Office Only)
- Utilizes established Emergency Dispatch protocols to provide pre-arrival medical and fire instructions to callers and follows established protocols for Priority Medical/Fire Dispatch program. (Fire Department Only)
- Utilizes System Status Management protocols to ensure optimum geographic coverage through deployment of resources by type; monitors diversion status of area hospitals and specialized units within each hospital. (Fire Department Only)
- Performs specialized dispatch functions related to the responsibilities of a CAL-EMS Mutual Aid Operations Area Coordinator Dispatch Center, and specialized functions of a CAL-Fire Contract County Dispatch Center. (Fire Department Only)
- Operates specialized computer systems to prepare, input, and obtain state/regional fire or emergency medical services activity, resource deployments and daily fire weather information through the Weather Information Management System (WIMS) and the Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC). (Fire Department Only)
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Employment Standards
- Possession of a High School Diploma or GED AND any combination of experience, education and/or training, which demonstrates possession of the required knowledge and abilities listed below.
Additional Requirements:
- Incumbents must be able to type 35 wpm.
- Work rotatingshifts including nights and weekends.
- Work overtime as required to ensure operational stability of the communications center.
- Must be able to pass a work-simulated, computer-based performance test, a background investigation (including a polygraph examination and credit check for the Sheriff's Office), psychological evaluation and medical exam.
- Work is performed in a dispatch center and requires sitting for long periods of time, extensive keyboarding, operation of a mouse, wearing of a headset, and working in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
Desirable Qualifications: Multilingual in languages spoken in the County such as Spanish, Mixtec, Hmong or others relevant languages.
IROC and Aircraft training, EMD & EFD certification thru Priority Dispatch, and Communications Training Officer thru NENA.
Additional Requirements Sheriff's Office: Successful completion of a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certified Basic Complaint/Dispatch course during the one-year probationary period.
Additional Requirements for Fire Department: Successful completion of an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) and Emergency Fire Dispatcher (EFD) certification during the training period and maintained throughout employment.
Knowledge of: English language; basic customer service practices; and basic office computer applications such as Microsoft Office applications
Ability to: Learn to retain and relay information received under stressful conditions; hear, understand, and speak the English language; respond to calls and radio transmissions quickly and calmly and make sound decisions under pressure; learn to observe, receive, and otherwise obtain information from all relevant sources; learn to analyze information, evaluate results, and choose the best solution; solve problems; learn Federal, State, and local laws, and also local agency policies and procedures, terminology, jurisdictional boundaries, and available types of emergency services; to read maps and provide directions; clearly speak and communicate effectively over the telephone and radio; remain calm in stressful situations; perform multiple tasks simultaneously; learn use of multiple computer and telephone systems; communicate with people of diverse social and cultural backgrounds; follow written and oral instructions; establish and maintain working relationships with other agencies; and operate a telephone, computer, mouse, and keyboard.
Supplemental Information
Please read the SELECTION PROCESS; Be sure to frequently check your email throughout this entire process, as this is the only way we will be notifying applicants regarding their status and to provide all of the important information throughout the recruitment process.
SELECTION & EXAMINATION PROCESS
Applications will be reviewed and processed on a weekly basis until vacancies are filled.
1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Online Skill Keyboarding Assessment: Qualified candidates will be notified by email with instructions to complete the online Keyboarding assessment. The deadline to complete the assessment will be clearly stated in the invitation. Candidates must complete and pass the keyboarding assessment to advance in the recruitment process.
3. CritiCall Computerized Exam (Online): Candidates who pass the keyboarding assessment will be invited by email to the online CritiCall exam. The CritiCall exam is a computerized software testing program that tests job-related skills and multi-tasking abilities required in the complex dispatching environment. In person exam date(s) will be offered for those who prefer to use a computer lab by visiting the dispatcher centers. Candidates are required to pass the exam to be placed on the employment list.
Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70% on the CritiCall exam to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.
Recruiter will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment and Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
If you are a regular employee of another public agency operating in a personnel merit system in the State of California and want to laterally transfer to this position with the County of Santa Barbara. Please apply to the lateral transfer recruitment .
HIRING PROCESS
Both hiring departments require candidates to pass a background check process, a medical evaluation, and a psychological evaluation. The background check process is different for each hiring department so please click on the hiring department links below to learn more about the background and hiring process for each department.
Clickhere to learn more about the back...
