Sheriff's Dispatcher I

The Position

*** Filing Now Open! ***

Bargaining Unit: DSA - Deputy Sheriff's Non-Sworn Rank & File Unit

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is recruiting men and women for a challenging career in the Sheriff's public safety communications center. No prior experience is required. Individuals hired will receive intensive training during the initial 12-month probationary period and are expected to qualify for advancement to the class of Sheriff's Dispatcher II ( $91,362.36 - $108,407.40 Annually ) within one year of employment.

Sheriff-Dispatcher is a non-sworn, uniformed position. Dispatchers receive a yearly uniform allowance. Individuals assigned to designated positions requiring bilingual ability must pass language proficiency evaluation to qualify for a bilingual differential.

Sheriff's Dispatchers are assigned to the dispatch center located in Martinez, California. The facility operates on a 7-day, 24-hour schedule. Sheriff Dispatchers are responsible for receiving incoming emergency and non-emergency police, fire, and medical calls; determining the appropriate response, prioritizing and dispatching units in accordance to established Sheriff policies and procedures; entering and retrieving information from teletype networks and computerized data systems; radio communication with 15-20 patrol units operating in the field; providing additional dispatch services to fire departments, ambulance units and the County Office of Emergency Services. Weekend, holiday, and overtime work is required. All overtime is compensated at 1-1/2 times regular hourly rate.

We are looking for someone who:

• Possess the ability to act promptly, logically, and decisively
• Has the ability to communicate clearly
• Is able to read, comprehend and retain information
• Will maintain a calm and professional demeanor even under stressful situations
• Has the ability to adapt to changing situations
• Possess multi-tasking abilities
• Is highly self-motivated
• Will display a high level of integrity

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Receiving telephone and radio messages
• Using computer-aided keyboard and data entry equipment or manually recording and relaying information (often of an emergency nature) to appropriate field units, such as, patrol units, other police agencies, fire departments, ambulance companies, the County Public Works Department and the Office of Emergency Services
• Receiving, transmitting, and recording teletype and data systems messages
• Answering questions from the public
• Dispatching from a mobile command center, as requested

A few reasons why you might love a career as a Sheriff’s Dispatcher:

• The work you do directly impacts the public and Contra Costa County residents
• You will have the ability to demonstrate your honesty, moral and ethical decision-making skills
• In this role, you will use your fact-finding abilities to identify needs, make decisions and address issues
• There are many opportunities for growth within Contra Costa County

A few challenges you may face as a Sheriff’s Dispatcher:

• You must remain calm to effectively handle high-stress situations
• This position requires that you are careful about details and thorough in completing tasks
• You will need to maintain composure when faced with callers who are aggressive, angry or emotional because of their situation
• You will need to make quick decisions and act promptly, often without knowing the entirety of the situation

Competencies Required:

• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Learning Agility: Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to one’s work
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing : Communicating effectively in writing
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Professional Impact: Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
• Teamwork : Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals

Read the complete job description at www.cccounty.us/hr .

The employment list established as a result of this examination may remain in effect for six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out of State valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalency or high school proficiency certificate.

Typing Proficiency: Ability to accurately type at a speed not less than 40 words per minute.

Other Requirements: Must pass a thorough background investigation, medical screening, and psychological evaluation prior to employment.

Selection Process

Application Filing: This is an open, competitive recruitment process.

• Important Details:
  • Applications will only be accepted through the online application system.
  • Applications received after the final filing deadline will be considered for the next recruitment cycle (TBD).

About the CritiCall Performance Assessment: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for the position will be invited to participate in an in-person CritiCall assessment, which includes a typing test. CritiCall is a specialized software used to evaluate the skills and abilities essential for public safety dispatchers. The test is timed and assesses various competencies relative to the Sheriff's Dispatcher I classification, such as decision making, data entry, call summarization, memory recall, prioritization, map reading, verbal ability, reasoning ability, perceptual ability and typing speed ability. (Weighted 100%)

• Candidates may reapply only after six (6) months have passed since their most recent assessment. Upon reapplication, the new score will replace the previous one. Scores from other agencies or previous assessments outside of this process will not be accepted.
• Testing will take place in Martinez, CA on specified dates provided in this job announcement. Candidates must pass all required sections in the assessment to move forward in the recruitment process.
• For more information regarding the CritiCall test, applicants may visit their website at: https://criticall911.com/dispatcher-testing/applicants/. Applicants who pass the CritiCall test will be invited to the departmental oral interview.
• A minimum typing speed of 40 words per minute (WPM) is required. Scores below 40 WPM will result in disqualification, even with a passing overall score. Outside results are not accepted.

3. Departmental Interviews: April 2025 (May Change)
TENTATIVE EXAM DATES

Applications received during the filing period will be scheduled for testing during the corresponding month listed below. Please note that all testing dates are tentative and subject to change.

Filing Period: January 17, 2025, through February 6, 2025

CritiCall Assessment Dates: March, 1, 2, 3 2025

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment specific questions, please contact Norma Martinez at Norma.Martinez@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 2/6/2025 12:00 AM Pacific

• 

• Contra Costa County Human Resources Department

• 925-655-2100

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