Dispatch Supervisor

City of Paso Robles•Paso Robles, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Dispatch Supervisor to lead daily dispatch operations and support the delivery of critical emergency and non-emergency public safety services. In this leadership role, you will supervise dispatch personnel, coordinate resources to support law enforcement, fire, and emergency response operations, and help ensure accurate, timely, and effective communications during routine and high-priority incidents. The Dispatch Supervisor serves as a key operational leader, providing guidance, training, and support to staff while promoting professionalism, accountability, and exceptional service to the community. The ideal candidate is a confident decision-maker who thrives in a fast-paced environment, exercises sound judgment under pressure, and is committed to employee development, operational excellence, and public safety.

Requirements

Graduation from high school or possession of a General Educational Development (GED) certificate
Four years of public safety dispatching experience with a police and/or fire agency.
A valid California Class C driver license and a satisfactory driving record
CPR and First Aid certification
California POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate
Must meet the eligibility requirements to obtain a POST Dispatch Supervisor certification within three years of appointment; certification must be granted by POST within four years of appointment
Must obtain an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certificate within one year of appointment.
Must meet or exceed all Public Safety Dispatcher selection requirements pursuant to 11 CCR § 1956.
Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of supervision, leadership, employee development, performance management, and personnel administration.
Knowledge of public safety communications operations, including emergency call-taking, radio dispatching, emergency medical dispatch protocols, resource coordination, and incident management.
Knowledge of organization, functions, services, and operational procedures of law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical services, and related public safety agencies.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, standards, and policies governing public safety communications, criminal justice information, emergency communications systems, and records management.
Knowledge of computer-aided dispatch (CAD), records management systems (RMS), the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS), emergency medical dispatch systems, and related communications technologies.
Knowledge of principles and practices of quality assurance, training, operational evaluation, and continuous process improvement.
Knowledge of standard radio communications procedures, dispatch protocols, emergency notification systems, and telecommunications equipment.
Knowledge of staff scheduling, workload management, and resource allocation principles.
Knowledge of geography of the service area, including streets, landmarks, public facilities, response districts, and jurisdictional boundaries.
Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, computer applications, and business software.
Knowledge of English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and effective oral and written communication techniques.
Knowledge of principles and practices of customer service, conflict resolution, and communication in stressful or emotionally charged situations.
Ability to effectively plan, organize, assign, and supervise the work of communications personnel to ensure efficient and effective operations.
Ability to lead, coach, mentor, and motivate staff; address performance issues and promote a professional, accountable, and customer-focused work environment.
Ability to interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and communications standards.
Ability to recommend, implement, and evaluate operational goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
Ability to oversee and support the communications training program, including onboarding and ongoing skill development.
Ability to simultaneously manage multiple competing priorities, including call-taking, radio dispatching, incident prioritization, and resource coordination, while maintaining accuracy, professionalism, and sound judgment in routine and high-stress situations.
Ability to analyze incoming information, determine call priority, assess operational needs, and direct appropriate response in accordance with established protocols.
Ability to monitor and evaluate communications activities to ensure accuracy, efficiency, compliance, and effective service delivery.
Ability to operate and oversee the use of CAD, RMS, CLETS, and other communications systems with accuracy and compliance.
Ability to maintain situational awareness and coordinate information, personnel, and resources during emergency and critical incidents.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively over radio, telephone, and other communications systems using proper diction, tone, and protocol.
Ability to remain calm, exercise sound judgment, and provide leadership in emergencies; provide direction and support to staff during critical incidents.
Ability to accurately receive, retain, and relay information from multiple sources under time-sensitive conditions.
Ability to adapt quickly to changing situations, shifting priorities, and multiple simultaneous demands.
Ability to interact tactfully and professionally with the public, including individuals who may be upset, distressed, or confrontational.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, command staff, field personnel, allied agencies, service providers, and members of the public.
Ability to identify new products, implement new dispatch practices, and train personnel.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience
Public safety communications professional
POST Dispatch Supervisor certification (must obtain within four years of appointment)
Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certificate (must obtain within one year of appointment)

Responsibilities

Plans, organizes, coordinates, supervises, and participates in the daily operations of the communications center; ensures efficient, effective, and responsive delivery of emergency and non-emergency communications services.
Collaborates with watch commanders, battalion chiefs, and other public safety personnel to address operational priorities, coordinate resources, and support field operations and emergency response activities.
Assigns, directs, monitors, and evaluates the work of communications personnel; establishes performance expectations and provides coaching, mentoring, training, and professional development.
Conducts performance evaluations; addresses performance deficiencies; recommends corrective and disciplinary actions; and recognizes employee achievements and contributions.
Oversees staffing, scheduling, shift coverage, and deployment of communications personnel to ensure operational readiness and continuity of service.
Provides technical guidance and operational support to dispatch personnel during complex, critical, high-risk, or unusual incidents.
Conducts training, onboarding, and ongoing professional development of staff; ensures compliance with departmental standards and regulatory requirements.
Assists in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of policies, procedures, training programs, operational guidelines, and quality assurance standards.
Monitors and oversees communications center activities, ensuring accurate documentation, legal requirements, regulatory standards, recordkeeping, and adherence to established protocols.
Interprets and enforces departmental policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
Supervises and participates in receiving, evaluating, prioritizing, and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls for service; ensures appropriate resource allocation and timely response.
Oversees the operation and use of CAD, RMS, CLETS, emergency medical dispatch systems, and related communications technologies; ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and operating standards.
Reviews communications records, call documentation, dispatch activities, and data entry transactions to ensure accuracy, completeness, quality, and compliance.
Coordinates the timely exchange of information between field personnel, allied agencies, emergency service providers, and the public.
Monitors radio communications and communications systems to maintain situational awareness and support officer safety, responder safety, and public safety.
Oversees the dissemination of critical information, including warrants, criminal justice information, officer safety alerts, emergency notifications, and mutual aid communications.
Monitors the status and welfare of field personnel and ensures appropriate action is taken during emergency or officer safety incidents.
Conducts quality assurance reviews of emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatch activities, and emergency medical dispatch protocols; identifies training needs and implements corrective actions as necessary.
Oversees communications center security functions, including access control systems, emergency notification systems, and related security technologies.
Prepares and maintains operational reports, statistical data, training records, and other documentation related to communications center activities.
Assists with recruitment, selection, onboarding, and retention of communications personnel.
Researches and evaluates operational issues, industry trends, technologies, and regulatory requirements; recommends and implements process improvements and operational enhancements.
Represents the department in meetings, committees, training activities, and interagency coordination efforts related to public safety communications.