Communications Dispatcher I (1704) - Citywide - (C00467)
City and County of San Francisco · San Francisco, California, United States
Please read this job ad in its entirety before applying:
Company Description
THIS IS A CITYWIDE EXAM
Application Opening: Friday, October 30, 2026
Application Deadline: Friday, November 6, 2026 (by the end of the day)
Compensation Range: $73,944- $89,856 Click Here
Recruitment ID: 1704 (C00467)
San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our city's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our city what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.
Department: Citywide
Job class: 1704 Communications Dispatcher
Role type: Permanent Civil Service What does this mean?
Hours: Full-time
Exam type: Class Based Test
Cert Rule: Rule of List
List type: Entrance
Under supervision, the Communications Dispatcher I performs a variety of specialized duties in connection with communications dispatch functions. The Communications Dispatcher I operates a variety of communications equipment, including two-way-based station radio, telephone and radio-paging services, to dispatch and transmit information with mobile field units and communicate with the public. This is the entry-level dispatcher level.
EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.
1. Operates a variety of communications equipment and information transmitting devices such as, multi-line telephones, two-way base station radio and pager systems utilized to receive information, request reports and emergency calls from a number of mobile radio field units and telephones, or to transmit messages to field units and/or to route calls to proper bureau or detail for action.
2. Verifies and evaluates messages received to determine if information is accurate and may follow up to ensure proper receipt and understanding to determine type of action necessary and appropriate staff and/or agency to be notified.
3. Dispatches mobile units and equipment to specific work locations, including locations where traffic control, citing and towing services are needed; makes phone requests for ambulance, tow-truck or other emergency services; makes inquiries of other agencies as requested by field units; reads maps and gives directions on how to get to location of emergency.
4. Records essential information and facts from messages transmitted or received by radio and telephone by entering and retrieving data from computer, time stamping and logging messages for permanent record keeping, maintaining continuous records of the status of units assigned, and maintaining a regular log of all messages transmitted and received by radio and telephone.
5. Assists communications dispatchers to coordinate communications emergency procedures by working with staff from various City departments (e.g., Police, MUNI, Fire, Sheriff & PUC,) and communications dispatchers from 911 and DPW, during accidents, emergencies and natural or other disasters.
6. Transmits alarm information to supervisor on duty when the department needs assistance; notifies the Police department daily of streets scheduled for no-parking zones; prepares records and performs other clerical duties related to these procedures. May monitor surveillance equipment and intrusion alarms from on-site buildings.
7. Performs other duties as assigned.
EXPERIENCE: One year of verifiable experience operating a two-way radio communications base station, receiving, recording and transmitting messages from one source to another;
OR
Combined total of one year of verifiable experience operating a multi-line telephone, and a two-way radio communications base system. Six months of this experience must have been operating a two-way radio base station.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING RADIO EXPERIENCE
Experience using handheld or portable two-way radios do not qualify. To meet the experience requirement for this recruitment, applicants must have experience operating a two-way radio base station.
- A two-way radio base station is a radio unit that is installed or operated at a fixed location and is used to communicate with portable or mobile two-way radios over a radio system.
- A portable or handheld two-way radio, commonly referred to as a walkie-talkie, is designed to be carried and operated by an individual while moving between locations. Experience using only handheld, portable, or mobile two-way radios is not considered experience operating a base station and does not satisfy this requirement.
Applicants must fully meet the minimum qualifications by the final filing deadline unless otherwise stated.
Note: Some positions may require that incumbents successfully complete on-the-job training in California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) operations, policies and procedures within six (6) months of appointment (hire date). Employees must also pass a proficiency exam every two (2) years throughout employment, in order to maintain eligibility for access to CLETS.
Qualifying Full-Time Employment Standard: One year of full-time employment experience is equivalent to 2000 hours. (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week.) Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.
All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.
Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications.
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.
Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.
SELECTION PROCEDURES
I. Application and Preliminary Questionnaire: Complete the application and preliminary questionnaire thoroughly to avoid disqualification. After you complete the application, you will be prompted to complete the preliminary questionnaire. Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an assessment process designed to measure their knowledge, skills and/or abilities relevant to the class.
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:
II. Supplemental Questionnaire: Candidates’ applications that meet the minimum qualifications may be emailed a Supplemental Questionnaire at a later date. This Supplemental Questionnaire is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience and qualifications and it is ess