Sheriff's Dispatcher

Position Information

Serve your community by joining the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office family as a 9‑1‑1 Dispatcher.

No experience required and multiple positions available!

Starting salary up to $44.63/hour ($93,148/year), and a competitive total compensation package!

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office is currently recruiting to fill multiple Dispatcher positions at either the I or II levels. If you are interested in being considered at the different levels of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate concurrent recruitments being conducted for each level. If you are an experienced Dispatcher, please view our Communications Dispatcher II recruitment.

Supporting safety and emergency situations is an exciting and challenging opportunity for people who thrive in a fast‑paced work environment and enjoy using complex communication systems. Although being a Dispatcher can be demanding, those with the determination and passion for supporting public safety will be rewarded with the ability to help others when they need it most and the camaraderie of the Sheriff's Office team.

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 searching for a missing person to responding to a robbery in progress.

The most successful Dispatchers will possess excellent judgment as well as many of the following:

• The ability to remain calm, clear, and in control during times of stress
• Experience working swiftly in stressful circumstances to manage multiple, simultaneous situations
• Compassion, empathy, and excellent communication while utilizing problem‑solving skills
• Experience working with the public and people in distress
• The ability to direct distressed callers through emergencies, read maps, and provide clear directions
• Proficiency in basic computer programs, including Microsoft Office applications Word and Excel, and the ability to type quickly and accurately

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.

Skills and abilities

testing will be conducted by the Sheriff's Office for referred applicants using Criti Call (). Top scoring applicants will be contacted for department selection interviews by the Sheriff's 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 Sheriff's Office.

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 you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits, including:

• Salary advancement – a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full‑time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Career advancement – with time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Communications Dispatcher II ($41.52–$50.47/hour)
• Paid time off – competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, and 12 paid holidays per year
• County paid health premium contributions – 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee‑only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff development/wellness – annual benefit allowances of up to $850
• Post‑retirement health reimbursement arrangement – county contributions to help fund post‑retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement – a pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid parental leave – may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of county…