PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER I / II

Public Safety Dispatcher

Application period closes - November 2, 2025. Recruitment schedule for Level II candidates : Candidates with enough prior experience to qualify at level II will not need to participate in written or oral panel exams. These candidates will be referred directly to the department for the hiring interview, scheduled on December 11, 2025. While not required, we strongly suggest level II candidates schedule two dispatch sit-alongs prior to the hiring interview. To schedule, please contact Tabatha Lopez at (530) 822-2206. Recruitment schedule for Level I candidates : Remote written exam - approximately November 5, 2025 - November 11, 2025. Two dispatch sit-alongs are required and must be scheduled before your oral panel interview. To schedule, please contact Tabatha Lopez at (530) 822-2206. In-person oral panel interview - December 2, 2025. In-person hiring interview - December 11, 2025. Satisfactory completion of a thorough background investigation and psychological evaluation are required for hire. Correspondences, notices, and invitations to test and / or interview will be sent via email through CritiCall and / or Governmentjobs.com / NEOGOV. Please be sure to set-up your inbox to receive them or check your junk-mail to make sure you are receiving Sutter County's recruitment communications. New Public Safety Dispatcher I employees will be hired at Step 1 ($24.59 / HR) and will advance to Step 2 ($26.00 / HR) upon completion of the FTO program (approx. 4 months after hire), then advance to Step 3 ($27.47 / HR) 26 pay periods (approx. 1 year) after date of hire. At 18 months, and passing probation, employees may promote to Public Safety Dispatcher II, Step 3 ($30.35 / HR). After that, they receive a yearly merit increase up to step 5, then every two years up to step 8.

Under immediate supervision, receives and transmits emergency and routine voice radio messages; dispatches required equipment and personnel in accordance with established policies and procedures; and performs clerical support related to communication activities.

Public Safety Dispatcher I : Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures including filing and record keeping methods; clerical activities related to an organization's programs and operations; basic mathematics; standard office equipment; and basic computer applications and techniques. Ability to learn policies and procedures utilized in dispatching units to emergencies; learn radio codes used in public safety work; learn local road system and geographical layout; operate radio equipment quickly and calmly in routine and emergency situations; work under pressure; understand, retain, and transmit data while performing several functions at one time; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, various public agencies, the general public, and others contacted in the course of work; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; prepare and maintain accurate reports and records; perform clerical work of average difficulty; operate communications equipment and standard office equipment; type at 30 words per minute; operate a computer keyboard accurately and with appropriate speed; and utilize various software programs relevant to the position. Education and experience : One year of experience performing general office duties or completion of high school, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Public Safety Dispatcher II : Knowledge of policies and procedures utilized in dispatching units to emergencies and other calls; Sheriff's Department office procedures; modern office practices and procedures including filing and record keeping methods; clerical activities related to an organization's programs and operations; basic mathematics; standard office equipment; radio communications equipment and radio codes used in public safety work; and local road system and geographical layout; and basic computer applications and techniques. Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures to emergency situations; operate radio equipment quickly and calmly in routine and emergency situations; work under pressure; understand, retain, and transmit data while performing several functions at one time; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, various public agencies, the general public, and others contacted in the course of work; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; prepare and maintain accurate reports and records; perform clerical work of average difficulty; operate communications equipment and standard office equipment; communicates effectively and coherently over radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications; type at 30 words per minute; operate a computer keyboard accurately and with appropriate speed; and utilize various software programs relevant to the position. Education and experience : One year of increasingly responsible experience performing duties assigned to the Public Safety Dispatcher I in Sutter County, or two years of experience which would demonstrate possession of the knowledge and abilities listed above, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Essential Duties require the following physical skills and work requirements : Ability to operate communications equipment by performing multiple hand and foot functions simultaneously; remain calm in emergencies; understand, retain, and transmit data while performing several functions at one time; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; must have normal hearing in both ears; requires sufficient hand / eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as typing and data entry. Other Requirements : Satisfactory completion of the following : thorough background investigation; evaluation of oral communication skills; preplacement medical examination. License or Certificate : P.O.S.T. certified 120-hour Basic Complaint / Dispatcher course within twelve months of the date of hire. Disaster Service Workers : All Sutter County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to perform certain emergency services at the direction of the department and / or County.