Police Communications Operator Jobs in California

Salary : $56,790.24 - $88,788.44 Annually
Location : Red Bluff, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026018
Department: Police
Opening Date: 08/25/2026
Closing Date: 9/15/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
HIRING BONUS
The City of Red Bluff offers a tiered hiring bonus to candidates that successfully complete the hiring process with a contract remaining in place requiring a four-year commitment to the Red Bluff Police Department.
Bonus Tiers:

• 1 year of experience will receive $5,000
• 2-4 years of experience will receive $10,000
• 5-6 years of experience will receive $15,000
• 7+ years of experience will receive $20,000

With payment of the bonus in four installments:
1. Upon hire.
2. Upon successful completion of the field training program.
3. Upon successful completion of probation (12 months).
4. Upon completion of 24 months of service.
Passing a Written Test is required as part of the hiring process.
Submitting a certified typing certificate with a score of 40 wpm or higher is required as part of the hiring process.
*The top wage listed is contingent upon qualifying for certain incentives including educational, POST certification, bilingual and longevity for years of service, which is transferable from other law enforcement agencies.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Answers emergency and routine calls from the public for Police, Fire, and Medical assistance and dispatches necessary personnel and equipment.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
This position works under the direction of the Police Communications Dispatch Supervisor and under the functional supervision of the Shift Supervisor, with the indirect supervision of the Support Special Services Commander.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
None Exercised
Receives information generated by telephone, radio calls, fire, police alarms and walk-in contacts concerning: crimes, fires, medical emergencies, public works calls, and other service requests.
Promptly and courteously obtains pertinent information regarding calls for service, determines the priority and promptly dispatches appropriate police, fire, public works and other units.
Maintains effective and efficient communications between departments, officers in the field and other public safety agencies when necessary during the course of all transmissions.
Maintains radio contact with emergency field units on routine assignments and during emergency situations.
Monitors officers progress reports from the field and otherwise ensures the effectiveness and safety of the officers.
Maintains complete and accurate records of all calls for service and all radio transmissions.
Enters all calls for service including type of incident, location, persons involved and circumstances via the Computer Aided Dispatch system.
Maintains up-to-date operating manuals, procedure manuals, and training guides.
Processes warrants including records checks.
Performs data entry work as assigned.
May be required to testify in a court of law.
Greets citizens at the counter when the business office is closed.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Computer or laptop, mobile smartphone, computer aided dispatch, radio and telephone computer, recording equipment, copier, and fax machine.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Lift miscellaneous objects such as printer paper weighing as much as twenty five pounds. Must also be able to load various office machines with paper and replace toner cartridges.
Must be able to move and use ladders to reach overhead.
Must be able to bend or stoop, twist and bend to reach office equipment and supplies as needed.
Must be able to hear and understand someone speaking on the phone.
Must be able to determine which piece of office equipment is ringing or sounding an alarm.
Must be able to work in an air-conditioned office work environment. Must be able to remain for a prolonged period of time in a specific area in front of a computer screen.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Busy office/dispatch environment with many computers and television screens. Above normal noise environment.
Fast paced, high stress work environment. Must be able to answer multiple emergency calls, manage distressed citizens and dispatch safety services simultaneously. Must be able to sort and prioritize emergency situations and communicate safety needs to responding personnel quickly and efficiently. Must be able to remain calm under pressure.
Education, Experience & Licenses
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Anycombinationofeducationandexperiencethatwouldlikelyprovidetherequiredknowledgeandabilitiescan be consideredqualifying.Atypicalwaytoobtaintheknowledgeandabilitieswould be:
Education:

• Possess a P.O.S.T dispatcher certificate, or: Pass the written P.O.S.T. entry level dispatch test and be able to enroll in the P.O.S.T dispatcher course.
• High School graduate or G.E.D. or equivalent.

Experience:

• One year's experience as a public safety dispatcher is desirable, or:
• Two years in a field where contact with the public was a major portion of the applicants duties.
• Candidates with knowledge of California Penal Code and California Vehicle Code desired but not required.

Knowledge of:
Knowledge of principles and practices of department rules and regulations; effective written and oral communications skills; City and Department policies, rules and regulations; and effective public relations skills.
Ability to:
Speak the English language clearly, distinctly, and concisely. Work independently under pressure and exercise good judgment in emergency situations. Remain calm and respond quickly and accurately during emergencies. Operate Computer Aided Dispatch and Teletype computer keyboards and radio/telephone computer keyboards and keypads. Write/print legibly, spell accurately. Work a variety of shifts including nights, days, swing, and overlap on a rotating basis, that cover a 24-hour period. Work weekends and holidays, as assigned. Hear and understand messages and directions. Maintain accurate records, which includes data entry. Maintain an effective working relationship with other employees and the public.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must enroll and pass the POST dispatcher course and be awarded the POST Dispatcher Certification within one (1) year from date of hire.
• Must be able to type at least 40 words per minute corrected and provide a certified typing certificate awarded within the past six (6) months with application proving as such

Selection Guidelines
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
The department is currently recruiting for one (1) vacancy
In addition, the City of Red Bluff is establishing an eligibility list to fill future vacancies for a Police Communications Dispatcher, as well as subsequent vacancies which occur during the life of the eligibility list.
Please submit ALL required documents when applying such as, copies of all required degrees and/or certifications as outlined in the job description. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
For questions about this recruitment contact:
Scott Garrison, HR Administrator
530-527-2605 Ext. 3051 | hr.redbluff@cityofredbluff.org
All final offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of background, fingerprinting, drug test and physical examination provided by the City.
The City of Red Bluff is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
NOTE: THESE BENEFITS DO NOT APPLY TO PART-TIME EMPLOYEES.
This position is covered by the Police Officers' Association bargaining unit.
The City offers a generous benefit package which includes:

• 5% salary step increases based upon satisfactory completion of first 6 months (Step A to B).
• Annual 5% salary step increases based upon satisfactory completion of each full year (Steps B to F).
• 5% Longevity Steps at 5, 10 & 20 years of service (includes commensurate years of service at other qualifying agencies).
• Educational and POST Certificate incentives available.
• Approximately 80% of the premiums for medical, dental and vision plans are paid by the City. These plans cover the employee and all eligible family members.
• Life Insurance coverage up to $50,000 fully paid by the City.
• A retirement plan through CalPERS.
• A deferred compensation retirement savings plan is available to employees.
• An Employee Assistance Program is provided to all employees and employees' family members at no cost.
• Positions shall receive a uniform allowance of $32.69 for sworn officers and community service officers, $17.31 for communication dispatchers per bi-weekly pay period.

Benefits also include an annual paid leave plan of:

• 108 hours of vacation (increases upon continuous years of service).
• 96 hours of sick time.
• 13.5 paid holidays

01
Do you have a High School diploma or G.E.D certified scores and/or college transcripts?

• Yes
• No

02
Are you able to provide a certified typing certificate of 40 net words per minute?

• Yes
• No

Required Question