Supervising Communications Dispatcher - Promotional

Position Information

This recruitment is promotional only. You must presently be a full or part-time regular or probationary County of Sonoma, Community Development Commission, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, or Sonoma County Water Agency employee in order to apply for this position.

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has requested a department promotional certification to fill a Supervising Communications Dispatcher position. Only qualified permanent and/or probationary Sheriff's Office employees on the eligible list may be eligible for referral to the department for the advertised position. This employment list may also be used to fill future full‑time positions as they occur during the active status of the list.

Under the general direction of the Communications Dispatch Manager, Supervising Communications Dispatchers oversee and guide the work of Communications Dispatchers. They devote a substantial portion of their time to supervising and coordinating shift operations, ensuring emergency and law enforcement services are dispatched in compliance with established departmental procedures. As first‑line supervisors, they may assume the duties of the Communications Dispatch Manager in their absence.

Additional duties include:

• Processing audio/discovery requests for evidence and public records requests (PRAs) for the District Attorney, Public Defender, and private attorneys
• Dispatching environmental support (workstations, lights, chairs, headsets, etc.) and guideline review/updates
• Scheduling staff and creating daily, weekly, and monthly schedules as well as monthly overtime reports (based on department minimums)
• Orienting new Dispatchers, Deputy Sheriffs, and Sergeants to the communications center
• Processing bi‑weekly payroll
• Attending various meetings related to dispatch
• Training (in‑house and POST required bi‑annual training)

The ideal candidate will possess:

• The ability to lead effectively and multitask during high‑stress situations
• Experience in training staff on policy changes and work processes
• Experience in investigating and documenting complex events
• A strong understanding of motivation and leadership techniques

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Experience and

Education:

Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, this would include graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D. and two years of emergency dispatch experience in a public law‑enforcement agency dispatching the full range of safety personnel, including at least one year in a lead worker position.

Special requirement: Within one year of employment, and as a condition of probation, employees in this classification must obtain a P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers Certificate, as awarded by the State of California, Commission on Police Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.).

Special skill requirement: This classification requires the ability to type at a corrected speed of 45 words per minute.

License: Possession of a valid driver’s license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position. The position advertised on this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Considerable knowledge of: streets, roads, major buildings, and geography of Sonoma County; the functions of the Sheriff's Office and other public safety agencies; applicable rules, regulations, and procedures including those of the Federal Communications Commission and their application; communications equipment; the principles and practices of effective supervision; data entry techniques and computer operations; techniques for effectively working with members of various ages, ethnicities, and socio‑economic groups;

standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.

Ability to: supervise and train subordinates in an effective manner; operate a complex…