Communications Operator I

Communications Operator I

This recruitment is being conducted to fill reoccurring full-time vacancies. The list established by this recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, limited term, and temporary vacancies for up to one year. Periodic testing for this position will take place as described below in the supplemental information section.

The incumbent in this position will perform a variety of complex duties in direct support of public safety personnel including receipt, interpretation, and dispatching of calls for law enforcement, fire, ambulance and other emergency assistance; direct fire and medical emergencies to the proper agency for response; accurately utilize a computer-aided dispatch system to initiate a response to effectively handle emergencies; utilize a two-way radio system to communicate with field units; accurately maintain the status of all field units; and provide information and assistance to the public.

The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 121,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148-year history and maritime heritage. Residents of Vallejo are situated to take advantage of the best of what the area has to offer. Golf, museums, performing arts, boutique shopping, brewpubs and a wide selection of restaurants are all available in Vallejo. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Vallejo's delightful historical downtown area, weekly downtown farmer's market, and beautifully restored Victorian homes and business facades. Vallejo is also home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, one of America's only combination wildlife, oceanarium and theme parks.

Communications Operator I - This is the entry / trainee level class in the Communications Operator series. This class is distinguished from the Communications Operator II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series in the Communications Section. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Incumbents are expected to promote to the Communications Operator II level after satisfactory completion of an eighteen month probationary period and when experience and education requirements for the Communications Operator II level are met.

Receives, interprets, classifies, prioritizes and responds to calls of a routine and emergency nature, including those calls involving life-threatening situations. Enters relevant information by computer keyboard and accurately transits messages for dispatching as necessary and in accordance with established procedures operating a computer aided dispatch system.

Assigns calls to police units for necessary action, determining the appropriate units required for response. Coordinates when necessary with patrol supervisors regarding deployment of personnel. Visually monitors video display terminals and actively listens to police radio frequencies to ensure correct status of officers and emergency personnel. Maintains contact with all units on assignment; maintains daily log of all field calls and units dispatched.

Dispatches law enforcement or other emergency personnel and equipment. Operates a variety of communications equipment, including computer-aided dispatch terminals, radio transmitters and receivers, dispatch consoles, electronic data terminals, telephone and lease line teletype. Monitors multiple computer screens simultaneously. Enters, updates and retrieves information from computerized databases relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information.

Use telecommunications systems to coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement and public safety agencies. Determines appropriate communications or research channels selected from emergency telephone lines, radio room telephone lines, business telephone lines, police radio channels, other agency radio channels, and manual computerized information systems.

Provide information to officers and field personnel expeditiously, including but not limited to, warrants, vehicles, driver's licenses, parole, and criminal history information. Interprets or clarifies coded responses from various systems for law enforcement, public safety, or other relevant parties. Confirms warrants with responsible agencies, receives and files warrants and updates status of warrants. Receives, responds to and documents requests for Division of Motor Vehicle print-outs; documents vehicle impound information.

Accurately processes information received in the communications center and accurately disseminates that information to the appropriate concerned parties, including but not limited to, relatives of those involved; employers; hospitals; sworn and non-sworn public safety personnel at other agencies; other City departments; ambulance services; detoxification centers; tow companies; attorneys; state parole; county probation; animal control; commercial establishments; alarm companies and schools.

When appropriate, monitors other public safety and emergency preparedness radio traffic; security monitors; and takes necessary action.

Maintains a variety of automated and manual logs, records and files related to communications center activities.

Make court appearances as required related to assigned activities.

Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work; maintain a variety of logs relating to public safety activities.

Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.

Operate a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities and perform communications center activities in a mobile vehicle or mobile setting.

Knowledge of customer service and professional telephone answering techniques, modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment, correct English usage, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Ability to act appropriately and decisively under stressful and / or emergency situations, learn, apply and maintain knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures and information pertaining to law enforcement dispatch, read, understand and apply a variety of call-taking information and materials, learn call interview and law enforcement dispatch techniques and procedures, learn basic communications rules and regulations governing the operation of radio transmitting and receiving systems, utilize a two-way radio system to communicate with field units; and accurately maintain the status of all field units, read and effectively interpret small-scale maps, have general knowledge of surrounding geographical area and information generated from a computer screen, learn general law enforcement codes, practices and methods, act promptly and appropriately in emergencies, speak clearly and concisely in a well-modulated voice pattern, effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens, maintain confidentiality of information, understand and follow both oral and written instructions promptly and accurately, communicate effectively in the English language in both oral and written forms, wear a telephone headset and be able to hear, distinguish and understand voices with background noises present, type accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance. Must type a minimum of 35 words per minute, establish and maintain courteous and effective work relationships with subordinates, peers, supervisors and the general public, operate various office equipment including computer terminals, work various shifts as assigned, work flexible hours, sit or stand for long periods of time, effectively multi-task, provide courteous and effective customer service, maintain professional composure and take responsible and effective action during stressful situations, perform related duties as assigned.

Some experience operating radio, computer or other communication equipment is highly desirable. A High School Diploma or G.E.D. supplemented by general clerical experience. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver license upon hire.

Telephone console to receive 911 and non-emergency telephone calls; PC computer aided dispatch systems with mapping features and printer; Radio console controls and monitors; Headsets; Mobile Data computers; Microsoft Word and E-mail; Copy machine; Fax machine; California Law Enforcement Telephone System (CLETS); Telecommunications Device for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TDD).

Applicants must submit a completed City of Vallejo online application, including all responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire (Resume / Cover Letter Optional), by the posted testing deadline in order to move forward in the selection process. If you have problems creating a user account, obtaining your already created account information, or submitting your online application, please contact governmentjobs.com applicant support directly at 855-524-5627. City of Vallejo staff are unable to assist with these issues.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and have submitted a completed application including answering all Supplemental Questions, will be invited to participate in the testing process as outlined below :

The City of Vallejo Police Department utilizes Criticall to test for the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the essential duties for the position of Communications Operator. This is an online assessment that consists of seven components that takes approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes to complete. The assessment may NOT be completed by anyone other than the applicant. To validate the integrity of a successful candidate's score, the candidate will be asked to verify that no one completed any portion of the assessment on their behalf during polygraph questioning. Those whom are found to be untruthful in the submission of their assessment will be withdrawn from consideration for the position.

Criticall assessments will be proctored online the second and fourth Friday of every month beginning on January 9, 2026 until the position has closed. The application deadline to be included in an assessment group will be the Thursday prior to the date of the assessment as described below :

Testing Date Application Deadline

January 9, 2026 January 8, 2026

January 23, 2026 January 22, 2026