Senior Public Safety Dispatcher

SENIOR PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER Regular, Full-Time Employment Opportunity

Position opens Wednesday, February 25, 2026 and the final filing date is Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 5:00pm.

The recruitment process for positions in the Department of Public Safety requires a comprehensive background investigation.

We build community trust by delivering exceptional services. Our core values of public service are integrity, leadership, and respect. We are recruiting for a Senior Public Safety Dispatcher.

A complete application packet will consist of a City of Sunnyvale employment application, responses to the required supplemental questions, and a current (dated within one year of application) typing certificate verifying 35 or more net words per minute. For this recruitment, online typing tests will be accepted. For more information on how to obtain and submit a typing certificate, please contact the Human Resources via email at

• CalPERS retirement pension
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Retiree medical benefit
• Holiday in lieu pay
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accruals
• Employee Wellness Programs
• City contribution to 457 Deferred Compensation

Under general direction of an assigned supervisor or manager, plans, directs and supervises the processing of emergency and non-emergency calls for service, dispatching of police, fire-fighting, medical, rescue, animal control or other emergency equipment; performs a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility; and performs related work as required.

• Recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; establishes schedules and methods for the performance of public safety dispatching duties; implements policies and procedures.
• Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises and reviews the work of staff involved in the dispatching of emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Evaluates operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommends improvements and modifications; prepares various reports on operations and activities.
• Participates in the selection of staff; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies.
• Provides interpretation of Departmental procedures and policies and provides expertise in the operations of all Public Safety emergency communications equipment.
• Controls initial deployment of field units; maintains and records status of field units; processes and returns status inquiries received from field units.
• Coordinates multiple-emergency situations and major incidents and determines priorities on simultaneous emergency calls.
• Maintains status of Department personnel and equipment; logs equipment malfunctions; contacts communications and other maintenance personnel for emergency repair of facilities or equipment.
• Answers the telephone and receives 9-1-1, emergency and non-emergency requests for assistance, evaluates the information provided and creates CAD system event, relays information to other jurisdictions or provides pre-arrival and post-dispatch instructions to the caller; processes and prioritizes incoming calls.
• Dispatches fire, police, medical and animal control personnel and equipment on both routine and emergency calls utilizing a computer aided dispatch system, multiple video display terminals, radio dispatching consoles and related equipment.
• Monitors and maintains status of public safety personnel and equipment; analyzes situations accurately and takes effective action to help ensure officer safety; participates in the reassignment of fire equipment to ensure adequate city-wide fire protection.
• Provides Emergency Medical, Fire and/or Police Dispatching Services, including pre-arrival and post dispatch instructions.
• Provides operational support for police, fire, and medical operations including warrant checks and confirmations, tow requests, and facilitation of outside agency assistance and mutual aid requests.
• Maintains familiarity with major roads, streets, areas, and industrial and public facilities within the city limits.
• Maintains records of all calls received and prepares reports of critical incidents; performs routine clerical work associated with the assignment.

Work is performed in a structured and often stressful work environment that includes structured breaks and lunch schedules. The position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading documents and computer screens, and the ability to distinguish and interpret the meaning of colors on video display terminals.

The position requires the ability to view multiple video display terminals for extended periods of time in low light. Acute hearing sufficient to distinguish and comprehend…