COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

Job Description and Duties

If you have previously applied to past Communications Operator job postings, you will need to reapply to this current advertisement to be considered for these positions.

Hires may be made in the following counties : Butte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Tehama.

Applications will be processed in rounds with the following cut-off dates :

• April 9, 2025
• May 9, 2025
• June 10, 2025
• July 10, 2025
• August 11, 2025
• September 10, 2025
• October 10, 2025
• November 5, 2025

Under general supervision, operates multifrequency / channel radio systems, law enforcement telecommunications terminals, computer terminals, and associated equipment; respond to telephone hot-line circuits; dispatch mobile law enforcement and emergency response units to specified points as required; identify locations where assistance is required, determine the availability and location of departmental units, and dispatch units by radio; request emergency services as requested or required by field personnel; respond to other law enforcement and emergency response agencies, dispatching departmental units for response as necessary; act as incident coordinators, tracking and responding to emergency response calls; access data related to warrants, driver licenses, vehicle and vessel registrations, hazardous materials, weapons, stolen property, and criminal history information through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System; access data on other law enforcement records' databases; maintain required logs; answer telephone inquiries and provide information; and perform other related duties.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Must be available to work day and / or night shifts or a combination of each on a rotational basis, including weekends and holidays, as well as remain on duty and / or be called back to duty on short notice and for extended periods of time due to operational need and / or emergency activity.

Special Requirements

Must succesfully complete required training.

TAU applicants are encouraged to apply.

What is TAU? TAU appointments to this classification are made under temporary authorization. In accordance with the California State Constitution, no person may serve in one or more positions under a temporary appointment longer than 9 months in 12 consecutive months. Therefore, all time served in temporary appointments (for example, CAL FIRE's Firefighter I) during the 12 consecutive month period will count towards this 9 month maximum. An employee gains no status or rights as a result of the TAU appointment and an employee who has had only a TAU appointment has no reinstatement eligibility. Persons who do not possess the minimum qualifications for the classification are ineligible for appointment as a TAU.

If you are offered and accept a TAU appointment, you will be required to take the next exam administered for this classification. If you do not apply to take the exam, score too low to be in a reachable rank, OR if you fail the test, your TAU appointment will be terminated within 48 hours of the exam results being released.

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description​ ​Additional Information ​ New Employee Benefits Orientation Page

Summary review of benefits available to you as a new State Civil Service employee. ​ State Civil Service Act

Review the benefits and protections provided to State Civil Service employees through the State Civil Service Act.

Salaries and Civil Service Pay Scales

Information regarding salary ranges for State Civil Service employees, as well as the Civil Service Pay Scales, the official salaries for all state jobs.

Represented Employee Bargaining Contracts

Review the specifics of represented state employee collective bargaining contracts.

Retirement

Learn more about the defined benefit plan that is offered to state employees through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) based on years of service, age and final compensation. CalPERS also offers disability retirement, partial service retirement, and death benefits for eligible employees.

401(k) and 457(b) Plans (Savings Plus)

Offers a voluntary benefit that allows you to contribute to both a 401(k) and a 457(b) plan to enhance your retirement benefit. This allows you to contribute, through payroll deduction, up to twice the amount available to the private sector and most public sector employees. You can contribute on both a pre-tax and an after-tax designated Roth basis that offers you the opportunity to take advantage of tax savings now and in the future.

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary - Specific Benefits ​Specific Benefits ​Additional Information

Cash In Lieu of Health and / or Dental Benefits (Cash Option)

Allows you to receive cash in lieu of state-sponsored health and / or dental benefits insurance if you have other qualifying medical and / or dental coverage through a spouse, domestic partner, parent or other source.

Common Carrier Travel and Accident Insurance – for Excluded Employees Only

Offers employer-paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance to managers, supervisors and other specified employees who travel on state business.

Commute Program

Voluntary benefits that subsidize commuting expenses for eligible employees who commute to and from work using public transportation, vanpools, or bicycles.

Consolidated Benefits (CoBen)

Provides a benefit allowance, rather than specific contribution amounts for health, dental and vision benefits. You may receive additional taxable income each month, depending on the total cost of the benefit plans you choose.

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

Continuation of health, dental, and vision insurance coverage as well as medical reimbursement account for employees and eligible dependents who involuntarily lose coverage.

Death Benefits

Benefits available to legal survivors and / or designees of state employees; see "Planning Ahead" handbook.

Planning Ahead Handbook | ​Dental Benefits

Offers you and your dependents preventive, basic and major dental care coverage through one of several dental plans.

Employee Assistance Program

Employer-paid program offers free professional and confidential short-term counseling and referral services to employees and their eligible dependents, as well as valuable information on a variety of topics including financial, legal, and wellness.

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description​ ​Additional Information

Group Legal Services Insurance

Voluntary, employee-paid plan that provides comprehensive legal coverage designed to meet most common personal legal needs. Available to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Group Long-Term Disability Insurance – For Excluded Employees Only

Voluntary, employee-paid plan that replaces a portion of the employee's income in the event the employee is unable to work for six months or longer due to a covered illness or injury.

Health Benefits

Offers you and your dependents a broad range of health insurance plans with the state paying a portion of the premium. CalPERS administers this coverage.

CalPERS Health and Wellness

Promotes a work environment that encourages healthy lifestyle choices, decreases the risk of illness and disease and enhances employee effectiveness and well-being.

Long-Term Care Program

Offers coverage through CalPERS for a chronic illness, frailty of old age, or a serious accident. Available to all California public employees, retirees, and their eligible family members.

Part-time, Seasonal, and Temporary Retirement Program

Offers a retirement savings program for part-time, seasonal and temporary employees who are not covered by CalPERS or Social Security.

Reimbursement Accounts

Allows you to set pre-taxed money aside in a reimbursement account to pay for certain kinds of medical and dependent care expenses. You can increase your take home pay and decrease your taxable income.

Third-Party Pre-Tax Parking Reimbursement Account Program

Allows you to deduct a specific pre-tax amount for work-related parking fees from your pay. Available to employees who drive a personal vehicle to work or to a location from which the employee commutes to work and pays for parking.

Vision Benefits

Employer-paid benefit that offers you and your dependents an annual eye examination and an allowance for frames and lenses. An enhanced vision plan is also available which provides higher allowances for certain materials and other benefits.