Sheriff’s Communications Dispatcher I

Support your community in a personally rewarding career by joining the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office family as a Sheriff’s Communications Dispatcher I.

No experience required and multiple positions available!

Starting salary up to $45.96/hour ($95,924/year), and a competitive total compensation package!*

Note: If you are an experienced Communications Dispatcher who has worked in a law enforcement environment for one or more years, the Sheriff's Office is currently recruiting for Sheriff's Office Communications Dispatcher IIs. If you are interested in being considered for the II-level opportunity, you must apply to the separate recruitment.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to excellent benefits* including:

Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range

Career Advancement - With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Communications Dispatcher II (annual salary up to $108,530)

Bilingual Premium Pay*-An additional$1.15/1.50/hour on top of the hourly pay rate for basic/fluent bilingual positions

Shift Differential: Up to 10% premium added for shifts worked during evening and night hours

Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, and 12 paid holidays per year

County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options

Staff Development/Wellness - Annual benefit allowances of up $850, and ongoing education/training opportunities

Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits

Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security

Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment

Student Loan Debt Relief – County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Association Memorandum Of Understanding (SCLEA MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

Become a Sheriff's Communications Dispatcher I

Supporting public safety during emergencies is a rewarding career for individuals who thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy solving problems under pressure, and excel at using advanced communication systems. While the work is challenging, dispatchers play a vital role in helping protect the community. Those with the dedication, resilience, and passion for public service are rewarded with the opportunity to make a difference when people need help most, while becoming part of the strong teamwork and camaraderie that define the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

Whether you're driven by a desire to serve your community, grow professionally, or take on new challenges, a career as a dispatcher with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office offers meaningful work and opportunities for advancement. As a dispatcher, you'll coordinate emergency and non-emergency communications for ground, marine, and air units in a dynamic environment where every shift presents new experiences. As your career progresses, you'll have opportunities to develop specialized skills and pursue unique assignments. As two examples, Tactical Dispatchers work alongside deputies in the field during specialized tactical operations or may provide communications support for law enforcement services at major events including Sonoma Raceway.

Beyond serving the Sheriff's Office, our Communications Center provides dispatch services for the Sonoma and Windsor Police Departments, Sonoma County Regional Parks, and Sonoma County Probation. This diverse range of responsibilities provides valuable experience and the opportunity to support multiple public safety agencies throughout Sonoma County. If you're looking for a career that is challenging, meaningful, and offers continuous opportunities to learn and grow, consider joining the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office as a Dispatcher. You'll receive the training, resources, and support needed to succeed while making a lasting impact on the community you serve.

In this entry-level Dispatcher position, you will receive significant training on how to effectively handle a variety of emergency situations. Once on-the-job training is complete, Dispatchers take emergency calls, dispatch, track, and monitor situations happening in the community, and assist Deputies in the field in a wide variety of situations ranging from looking for a missing person to responding to a robbery in progress. In addition to compassion and empathy, the ideal candidates will possess excellent judgment and:

Remain calm, clear, and in control during times of stress

Work swiftly in stressful circumstances to manage multiple simultaneous situations

Demonstrate excellent communication and problem-solving skills

Have experience working with the public and people in distress

Have the ability to direct distressed callers through emergencies, read maps, and provide clear directions

Demonstrate the ability to type quickly and accurately

In our 24/7 environment, overtime is required and Dispatchers must have the flexibility to work all shifts (nights, swings, weekends, holidays, and mandatory overtime/holdovers). As you gain experience and seniority, there is more flexibility in selecting shifts.

Please note that skills and abilities testing will be conducted by the Sheriff's Office for referred applicants using CritiCall.https://criticall911.com/dispatcher-testing/applicants Top scoring applicants will be contacted for department selection interviews by the Sheriff's Office. This is not a P.O.S.T. test. A T-Score or pass/fail letter will not be provided by the County of Sonoma Human Resources or the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office is currently recruiting to fill multiple Sheriff's Communications Dispatcher positions at both the I and II levels. This Sheriff's Office Communications Dispatcher I employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service title of the position is Communications Dispatcher I.Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.