Communications Operator

Live The Parks Life as a Communications Operator!

Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding career that allows you to provide protection to the public, law enforcement, and California State Parks? Communication Operators are emergency dispatchers that monitor emergency communications systems, answer calls for service, log incidents, and dispatch field units to emergencies. Become a guardian of the largest state park system in the nation in this exciting and rewarding career.

Apply Today!

Communications Operators are a vital link in the fast-paced communications network of California State Parks – providing consistency, direction, and knowledge to the public and law enforcements in an emergency.

The process for applying to this position includes submitting an application for review to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications, as well as taking an online exam. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be emailed a link for the exam.

Here’s how to apply:

Step 1 - Create a CalCareers Account

With your CalCareers account you can create your official state application (STD678) template.

Step 2 – Email your application to Exams@parks.ca.gov. (To save a copy of your application, select print, export to a PDF and then download the file to your computer)

Step 3 – Take the exam.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for the position will be emailed a link to an online exam. You will have 7 days to complete the exam.

Step 4 – Apply to a position!

Go to LiveTheParksLife.com to search for open positions.

Individuals who are successful in the examination/selection process and hired as Communications Operators will then be required to complete the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Public Safety Dispatcher’s Basic Course within 12 months of hire or assignment to dispatcher duties.

---

Communications Center Locations

California State Parks has two centralized communications centers (listed below) to meet the dispatching needs of its peace officers and staff.

The centers also provide dispatching services for the Department of Fish and Wildlife wardens along with other enforcement and emergency services agencies.

Northern Communications Center
13304 White Rock Road
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
916-358-1300

Southern Communications Center
17801 Lake Perris Drive
Perris, CA 92751
951-443-2959

---

---

Monthly Salary

• Range A- $4,090 - $5,633
• Range B- $4,628 - $6,373

Benefits!
Health, vision and dental

Communications Operators for California State Parks are entitled to a number of competitive benefits, including State Employee 401(k) and 457(B) Plans, Employee Wellness Programs, and Employees Assistance Programs. Additional benefits include:

• CalPERS state safety retirement
• 4/10 work schedule
• Paid holidays
• Leave Benefits
• Long-term care insurance
• And more!

Retirement!
All new hires are subject to the Public Employees Reform Act retirement scale which is 2% at 57 years old.

Read more here: BU7

---

Learn How You Can Qualify!

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade, and

Either I

Experience: Six months of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Dispatcher-Clerk.

Or II

Experience: One year of experience in dispatching work involving the operation of radio communications equipment/systems.

Or III

Experience: Two years of experience involving a substantial amount of direct and telephone contact with the public and the responsibility to perform numerous tasks simultaneously.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: Alphanumeric sequences.

Ability to: Work under stress and maintain composure; follow instructions precisely; listen and translate what is heard into the appropriate action; speak English over the telephone quickly and be easily understood; adapt quickly to a variety of situations; act in an emergency situation; write rapidly and legibly; perform several functions simultaneously; hear in the presence of significant background noise; read and comprehend at the level required for the job; determine officer's welfare from voice inflection; establish priorities and take appropriate action; extract critical information from incoming calls; recall a variety of situations and retain information; anticipate the officer's need for assistance; type; operate and monitor a multitude of frequencies and a variety of highly technical communication systems and equipment.

SPECIAL PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Consistently report to work with a minimum of absences; willingness to work on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays at odd or irregular hours and night shifts; voice well modulated for radio transmission and clear enunciation; emotional stability; hearing necessary to perform the duties of the position; and a satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Existing law requires that a thorough background investigation shall be conducted to verify the absence of past behavior indicative of unsuitability to perform public safety dispatcher duties. The background investigation shall include a check of Department of Motor Vehicles' records and a search of local, State, and national criminal history files to disclose any criminal record. Persons unsuccessful in the investigation cannot be appointed to the Communications Operator series.

Existing law requires that a medical examination shall be conducted to verify the absence of any medical condition which would preclude the safe and efficient performance of dispatcher duties. Persons unsuccessful in the medical exam cannot be appointed to the Communications Operator series.
Penal Code Section 13510(c) requires that State agencies participating in the P.O.S.T. program shall evaluate oral communication skills to ensure skill levels commensurate with the satisfactory performance of dispatch duties.

Penal Code Section 13510(c) requires that State agencies participating in the P.O.S.T. program shall require that the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course be the minimum basic training for all public safety dispatchers in the program. The course shall be completed within 12 months of hire or assignment to dispatcher duties. Failure to successfully complete the course shall be cause for termination based on failure to meet the required conditions of employment.

---

Still have questions?

Contact the Workforce Planning and Recruitment Office at Recruiting@parks.ca.gov.

Follow WPRO and get notices on the latest Parks jobs available and exam opportunities!