Lateral Public Safety Dispatcher

Public Safety Dispatcher II

Salary Range:
Public Safety Dispatcher II: $36.95 – $51.73 per hour. Current base salary listed above does not include overtime pay.

Under general supervision, Public Safety Dispatcher II are the first Fire Department personnel to receive requests for assistance for fire and medical 9-1-1 emergencies. They must evaluate the type of assistance needed, and dispatch appropriate public safety personnel by utilizing computerized 9-1-1 telephone system, computer-aided dispatch system, computerized radio system, and related database and computerized equipment; and perform related duties as assigned.

Public Safety Dispatchers are required to work mandatory overtime to fill unexpected or planned vacancies, and return to work when ordered during heightened or peak emergency activity.

The successful candidate will have a minimum one (1) year experience as a public safety dispatcher with another fire or police agency. The candidate will have a calm and focused demeanor, be able to multitask and manage high stress situations in a fast-paced emergency environment, and have the ability to communicate calmly, clearly and effectively with a diverse county population.

Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Premium Pay:
All Public Safety Dispatchers who possess an Emergency Medical Dispatcher qualification shall be eligible to receive an Emergency Medical Dispatch premium payment of $85.24 bi-weekly.

Night Shift Differential Premium Pay:
Night shift differential is calculated at the rate of five percent (5%) of the base pay for the eligible hours. Educational Incentive:
Some positions may be eligible for educational incentive. The incentive may be 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% for incumbents in eligible positions, based on completion of Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's degree that is not required by the classification. Bilingual Incentive:
Some positions may be eligible for bilingual incentive, depending on the MOA and the needs of the department.

Payroll

Title:

Public Safety Dispatcher II Public Safety Dispatcher II are represented by the Service Employees International Union and are eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies for this or similar positions only, which is a Regular position. This recruitment will be used to fill multiple regular vacancies. Tentative schedule:

Opening Date:
Thursday, February 26, 2026

Closing Date:
Continuous

First Review of Applications:
Week of March 30, 2026 and subsequent reviews are contingent on vacancies since this is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time.

• Receives 9-1-1 and other emergency telephone calls for fire and medical emergencies. Determines the nature and location of the emergency; determines priority and enters information into the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Answers non-emergency calls for service, determines type of assistance required, and provides appropriate assistance as needed;
• Provides pre-arrival medical and fire instructions to callers utilizing established Emergency Medical Dispatch protocols and follows established protocols for Medical and Fire Priority Dispatch program;
• Simultaneously receives, keyboards, and transmits information to dispatch fire and emergency medical resources, including aircraft. Provides dispatching services for multiple agencies, following multiple agency dispatching protocols; determines appropriate personnel, apparatus and equipment to be dispatched using radio and/or computer systems; enters and updates information on computerized systems;
• 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; maintains contact with and monitors status of field units;
• Utilizes System Status Management protocols to ensure optimum geographic coverage through deployment of resources by type and availability; following multiple agency protocols: monitors diversion status of all hospitals and specialized units within each hospital;
• 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 WIMS and IROC computer systems. Gathers information and completes forms for incident cost analysis and recovery;
• Performs specialized dispatch functions related to the responsibilities of a CAL-OES Mutual Aid Operational Area Coordinator Dispatch Center, and specialized functions of a CAL-FIRE Contract County Dispatch Center;
• Public Safety Dispatcher II's may be required to provide training for entry-level dispatch staff;
• May perform other duties as assigned.

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither…