Communications Operator I

Salary: $71,929.31 – $87,430.51 Annually

Closing Date: 12/25/2025

Position Summary:

The incumbent in this position will perform a variety of complex duties in direct support of public safety personnel including receipt, interpretation, and dispatching of calls for law enforcement, fire, ambulance and other emergency assistance; direct fire and medical emergencies to the proper agency for response; accurately utilize a computer-aided dispatch system to initiate a response to effectively handle emergencies; utilize a two-way radio system to communicate with field units; accurately maintain the status of all field units; and provide information and assistance to the public.

Essential Functions:

• Receives, interprets, classifies, prioritizes and responds to calls of a routine and emergency nature, including those calls involving life-threatening situations. Enters relevant information by computer keyboard and accurately transits messages for dispatching as necessary and in accordance with established procedures operating a computer aided dispatch system.
• Assigns calls to police units for necessary action, determining the appropriate units required for response. Coordinates when necessary with patrol supervisors regarding deployment of personnel. Visually monitors video display terminals and actively listens to police radio frequencies to ensure correct status of officers and emergency personnel. Maintains contact with all units on assignment; maintains daily log of all field calls and units dispatched.
• Dispatches law enforcement or other emergency personnel and equipment. Operates a variety of communications equipment, including computer-aided dispatch terminals, radio transmitters and receivers, dispatch consoles, electronic data terminals, telephone and lease line teletype. Monitors multiple computer screens simultaneously. Enters, updates and retrieves information from computerized databases relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information.
• Use telecommunications systems to coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement and public safety agencies. Determines appropriate communications or research channels selected from emergency telephone lines, radio room telephone lines, business telephone lines, police radio channels, other agency radio channels, and manual computerized information systems.
• Provides information to officers and field personnel expeditiously, including but not limited to, warrants, vehicles, driver’s licenses, parole, and criminal history information. Interprets or clarifies coded responses from various systems for law enforcement, public safety, or other relevant parties. Confirms warrants with responsible agencies, receives and files warrants and updates status of warrants. Receives, responds to and documents requests for Division of Motor Vehicle print-outs; documents vehicle impound information.
• Accurately processes information received in the communications center and accurately disseminates that information to the appropriate concerned parties, including but not limited to, relatives of those involved; employers; hospitals; sworn and non-sworn public safety personnel at other agencies; other City departments; ambulance services; detoxification centers; tow companies; attorneys; state parole; county probation; animal control; commercial establishments; alarm companies and schools.
• When appropriate, monitors other public safety and emergency preparedness radio traffic; security monitors; and takes necessary action.
• Maintains a variety of automated and manual logs, records and files related to communications center activities.
• Make court appearances as required related to assigned activities.
• Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work; maintain a variety of logs relating to public safety activities.
• Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Perform other work as assigned.

Requirements:

• Some experience operating radio, computer or other communica­tion equipment is highly desirable.
• A High School Diploma or G.E.D. supplemented by general clerical experience.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver license upon hire.