Sheriff's Dispatcher I Contra Costa

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

The Office of the Sheriff is recruiting individuals to fill positions in the Sheriff's Dispatcher I classification.

About the position:

The Office of the Sheriff is seeking dedicated and service-oriented individuals to join our team as Sheriff’s Dispatchers I. This critical role is based at the state-of-the-art dispatch center in Martinez, California, which operates around the clock to support the safety of the community.

Sheriff’s Dispatchers are the vital first point of contact for individuals in need of emergency assistance. In this position, you will receive and prioritize both emergency and non-emergency calls, determine the appropriate response, and dispatch units in accordance with established Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures. You will also enter and retrieve information from computer data systems and maintain continuous radio communication with 15–20 patrol units in the field. In addition to supporting law enforcement, you will provide dispatch services to fire departments, ambulance units, and the County Office of Emergency Services.

The role requires the ability to remain calm and professional in high-pressure situations, accurately summarize and relay information, and provide clear instructions to field personnel to ensure efficient and effective responses.

Weekend, holiday, and overtime work is required, with all overtime compensated at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Decisive—is able to act promptly, logically, and with clear judgement when faced with challenging situations.
• Communicative—is able to clearly and effectively share information with the public and emergency responders. 
• Detail-Oriented—Is able to read, comprehend and retain important information for dispatching needs.
• Calm—is able to maintain composure and professionalism even during high-stress emergencies. 
• Adaptable—is able to adjust quickly to changing situations and shifting priorities.
• Multi-Tasking—is able to balance data entry and communication seamlessly, managing several tasks at once. 
• Self-Motivated—is driven to provide exceptional and proactive support to the community.
• Ethical—is able to demonstrate integrity and upholding standards in all aspects of the role. 

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Receiving and prioritizing telephone and radio messages in a calm and efficient manner.
• Using computer-aided data entry equipment or manually recording and relaying information to appropriate field units, including patrol officers, fire departments, ambulance companies, the County Public Works Department, and the Office of Emergency Services.
• Receiving, transmitting, and recording teletype and data systems messages to ensure accurate and timely communication.
• Answering questions from the public and providing accurate and helpful information.
• Dispatching resources from a mobile command center when requested, ensuring coordinated responses.

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

• You will be performing work that directly impacts the safety and well-being of the public and Contra Costa County residents.
• You will have the ability to demonstrate your moral and ethical decision-making skills in a meaningful way.
• You will use your fact-finding abilities to identify needs, make critical decisions and address pressing issues.
• You will have many opportunities for career advancement and professional development within Contra Costa County.

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

• You will need to remain calm to effectively handle high-stress situations.
• You will need to be attentive to detail and ensure that every aspect of your work is thorough, accurate, and complete.
• 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 will remain in effect for up to 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.

1. Application filing and evaluation: All applicants must apply online at www.cccounty.us/hr and submit a completed Supplemental Questionnaire at the time of application. Applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed to determine which candidates demonstrate the best qualifications for the position and will be invited to participate in the next phase of the recruitment process. Applications must be submitted online no later than 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing. Applications received after the deadline will be considered for the next testing cycle.
   
   
2. Typing Proficiency Assessment (Administered Remotely): Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an online typing assessment. The assessment will be administered remotely and will consist of three (3) three-minute timed typing tests. The scores from all three tests will be averaged to determine the candidate’s average net words per minute (WPM). A minimum of 40 net WPM is required to advance to the next phase. (Qualifying)
   • A typing certification will NOT be accepted in lieu of the required typing assessment. 
   • Contra Costa County reserves the right to require test takers to take parallel version of this assessment in a proctored setting in order to confirm their identities as the original test takers if they are advance in the recruitment. Any violation of these requirements may result in disqualification from this and any future examinations. 
     
     
3.  CritiCall Performance Assessment (On-Site, Martinez): Applicants who pass the typing assessment will be invited to participate in the in-person CritiCall Dispatcher Skills Assessment. This computer-based test evaluates a broad range of skills required for dispatching. These skills include, but are not limited to: decision-making, data entry, rural map reading, call summarization, call prioritization, memory recall, spelling, ability to multitask and reading comprehension. Candidates must receive a score of at least 70%, which may be an adjusted score, in order to be ranked on the employment list. Candidates are eligible to participate in the CritiCall assessment once every six (6) months. (Weighted 100%)
   • Contra Costa County - Human Resources does not provide CritiCall test prep help. Test information is available by visiting the vendor's website at: CritiCall - FAQs
     
     
4. Departmental Interviews: Candidates who successfully complete all prior phases of the selection process will be invited to participate in a departmental interview.