Communications Dispatcher Trainee

Salary : $60,422.00 - $78,744.00 Annually
Location : Police Department-965 Sonoma Ave Santa Rosa, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 25/26-27

ASM-O
Department: Police
Opening Date: 09/29/2025
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 14

The Position
ENTRY LEVEL POSITION WITH TRAINING PROVIDED
The City of Santa Rosa is looking for enthusiastic and responsible applicants for the entry level position of Communications Dispatcher Trainee. We offer paid classroom and on-the-job training and an opportunity to provide a vital service to the Santa Rosa community.
After completion of the training program your pay scale will increase to the Communications Dispatcher level - for salary details click
Our 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center is located on the second floor of the Public Safety Building, equipped with a state-of-the-art computer aided dispatch system, including multiple monitors, ergonomically designed furniture, and individual work stations with outside window views. The Communications Center is staffed by a team of 24 dispatchers working 10-hour shifts, handling approximately 250,000 calls for service yearly. Supervision is provided by Communications Supervisors.
Communications Dispatchers receive emergency and routine calls requesting police or other emergency services; accurately evaluate and process routine and life-threatening emergency radio and telephone communications. Our 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Benefits of City Employment:In addition to offering a challenging, rewarding work environment and excellent salary, the City of Santa Rosa provides a generous suite of benefits, including health, dental, vision and life insurance, a generous retirement program, a competitive leave accrual package and holiday leave bank. Detailed information about available benefits can be found in the and in the online .

Additional benefits include:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) pay is available.
• $500 annually for wellness
• Unlimited free bus rides on City Bus and Sonoma County Transit
• The City is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying employer

The City of Santa Rosa is committed to building a workforce reflective of our community and establishing a lasting culture of equity and belonging within our organization. Our collective talents and expertise contribute to high-quality public services that support a vibrant, resilient, inclusive City for our community and visitors. We celebrate a diverse workforce and welcome all qualified candidates to apply.
You are encouraged to talk with a Santa Rosa Police Department representative from the Recruiting Office for detailed information or questions.
SRPD Recruiting Office
(707) 543-HIRE
srcity.org/Careers

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are considered essential for this job classification:

• Perform a variety of disparate duties simultaneously and accurately;
• Receive, triage, and process emergency and routine calls from the public requesting police or other emergency service, applying the techniques, procedures, policies, and methods used in the operation of a moderately sized public safety dispatching agency;
• Question callers to determine pertinent information, maintaining composure and working quickly under pressure;
• Accurately track the status and location of police units;
• Use a Computer Aided Dispatch system to enter pertinent response information and unit status data;
• Retrieve and verbally relay information from various databases;
• Monitor several different police radio frequencies and operate a variety of communications equipment and technology;
• Communicate tactfully with the public and department employees under stressful situations.

In addition to the duties listed in the Essential Duties Section, each employee in this classification may perform additional duties as assigned. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties which may be assigned.

• Arrange for tow trucks and public works emergency service or contact appropriate agencies;
• Operate and maintain the audio recording device and produce copies;
• Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, and other general clerical work, specifically related to the communications center function and complex computerized systems;
• Monitor surveillance cameras; arrange for unplanned staffing needs;
• Monitor and respond appropriate personnel to internal panic alarms;
• Manually activate exterior doors from the communications center;
• Test and inspect equipment as required;
• Provide general instruction to new employees;
• Travel to various locations for mandated training.

Required Qualifications
Minimum Experience/

Education Requirements:

• Typing/keyboarding skills of at least 35 wpm.
• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.

Ability to:
Develop knowledge of standard radio or telephone communications receiving and transmitting equipment; standard broadcasting procedures and rules; operation of common radio dispatch equipment; public safety…