Public Safety Communications - Supervising Communications Dispatcher (Open and Promotional)

Full Job Description

San Mateo County Public Safety Communications is in search of LEADERS!

The Office of Public Safety Communications (PSC) is accepting applications for the position of

Supervising Communications Dispatcher.

Serving as both the backbone and heartbeat of the operations team, Supervising Communications Dispatchers lead and coordinate operations of a shift or an assigned function, and must be familiar with all disciplines of the Centeroperations.

With a high level of trust and independence, Supervisors must exercise discretion and sound judgment as it relates to the day-to-day shift operation.

In addition, Supervising Dispatchers, while fostering growth and accountability, will provide administrative, technical, and policy guidance as well as helping subordinate Communications Dispatchers develop through thoughtful feedback and performance evaluations.

About the Department: San Mateo County’s only Tri-Community (Police, Fire, Medical) Communications Center is hiring.

Our dispatch facility, located in Redwood City, is top-notch and provides all the tools for dispatchers to be successful both personally and professionally.

The Regional Operations Center boasts state-of-the-art consoles and communication systems, including a brand-new Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.

PSC prides itself on being an organization committed to employee well-being.

PSC is the first San Mateo County department, as well as the first 911 center in the County, to employ a full-time Wellbeing and Equity Coordinator.

Examples of our commitment to wellbeing include mental health initiatives, therapy animals in the center, an on-site gym, a Quiet Room, and a full kitchen for the use of our employees.

The floor-to-ceiling windows allow plenty of light into the Communications Center. To learn more about Public Safety Communications, visit them at https://www.smcgov.org/911dispatch.

San Mateo County PSC is a stand-alone County department with a civilian command structure. The Management team is made up of a Director, Deputy Director, Business Manager, IT Manager, Support Services Manager, and three Operations Managers.

We have the facility and the equipment, and now we are in need of leaders to guide the Center to be the leading Communications Center in the state. We have a leadership philosophy committed to customer service, dispatcher wellness, and overall excellence. We strive to provide the best service to the citizens of San Mateo County and our partner agencies. We are committed to giving our employees the tools necessary to be successful both professionally and personally. We are committed to ongoing training and strive for a team environment with open lines of communication. We stress career development and provide a variety of opportunities for employees, including Training Officers, Training Instructors, Tactical Dispatch, Fire Incident Dispatch, Quality Assurance/Quality Control, and opportunities to head up various projects.

The County of San Mateo offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits. The benefits package includes a choice of medical plans, dental coverage, vision coverage, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, a pension plan, and much more. To learn more about our benefits, visit: Employee Benefits.

Supervising Communications Dispatchers, under the direction of the Operations Manager, are responsible for full operational responsibility of the tri-community (Fire, Medical, Police) Public Safety Communications Center on an assigned shift. Supervising Dispatchers provide administrative, technical, and policy guidance as well as direct supervision of subordinate Communications Dispatchers.

The Ideal Candidate will be and have:

• A proven leader who exemplifies the characteristics of a successful Dispatch Supervisor.
• A problem solver with the ability to identify, assess, prioritize, and address problems as they arise.
• A creative thinker who is not afraid to try new methods.
• An excellent communicator who can interpret organizational philosophies and directives and communicate to staff in a concise manner.
• Customer service focused.
• A multi-tasker who is organized and has the ability to prioritize.
• Possession of a California POST Basic Certificate for Public Safety Dispatchers, or be able to obtain one within the probationary period.
• An experienced dispatcher with knowledge and hands-on use of Computer Aided Dispatch systems.
• Knowledgeable in regulations of the Federal Communications Commission regarding radio and/or telephone operation.
• The ability to communicate using communication devices such as radio or telephone.

If you are a leader committed to striving for excellence who wants to make a difference in the community, PSC is the place for you!

Currently, there are two Regular, Full-Time Supervising Communications Dispatcher vacancies.

The successful incumbent MUST be willing to work day, swing, graveyard, rotating, holiday, weekend, overtime, and mandatory shifts.

Additionally, the successful incumbent will be required to:

• Successfully complete a pre-employment medical examination.
• Follow strict Drug Use standards and guidelines.
• Possess good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation mandated by the State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), More information here: https://post.ca.gov/public-safety-dispatcher-candidate-information

PLEASE NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

Requirements

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, direct, assign, supervise, monitor, train, and evaluate the activities of a shift in the Communications Center or other assigned specific function.
• Provide leadership and direct supervision to assigned Communications Dispatchers or other assigned personnel.
• Attend and/or facilitate meetings directly related to Communications Center operations or other assigned functions.
• Conduct investigations into internal and external inquiries.
• Prepare detailed written reports, policies, procedures, and bulletins.
• Consult with other supervisory staff on relevant issues; develop alternate strategies for dealing with community needs and assist in the implementation of solutions as necessary.
• Assess shift operations and fluctuating workloads and take appropriate action to meet workload demands.
• Coordinate large-scale incidents by identifying and prioritizing tasks and ensuring all functions have a course of action.
• Update shift schedule based upon staffing changes/needs.
• Complete and/or facilitate administrative tasks associated with shift operations.
• Receive, review, and process incident reports.
• Receive and process business or emergency calls for law enforcement, fire, medical, and other public safety agencies, as needed.
• Screen and prioritize telephone workload.
• Monitor shift workloads and specific system status.
• Provide leadership, support, and assistance in a team environment during day-to-day operations, as well as critical or large-scale incidents.
• Take a leadership role in coordinating the dispatching of mutual aid incidents.
• Develop and foster a positive working rapport with customers, the public, other county departments, and co-workers.
• Testify in court regarding legal proceedings related to Communication Center operations, as needed.
• Develop and maintain working knowledge of highways, streets, buildings, and major points of interest in the County and adjacent areas.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.

A typical way to qualify is:

Four years of public safety dispatch experience. Within the past five years, at least two years of full-time dispatching experience working as a Communications Dispatcher II or a Lead Dispatcher in a like or larger agency.

Knowledge of:

• English language, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Organizational and leadership philosophies and practices.
• Supervisory and training principles and their application.
• Customer service and interpersonal communications principles.
• Computer operation and use in office and Communications Center environments.
• Basic principles in communicating by means of face-to-face contact, telephone, and/or data terminals.
• Public safety entities that provide emergency services within San Mateo County.
• Various resources within the County in order to provide referrals to the public and public safety agencies.
• Advanced principles and practices of dispatch protocols.
• Principles of personnel training, supervision, and evaluation.
• Basic principles and practices of countywide public safety operations, administration, and organization.
  

Skill/Ability to:

• Speak, read, and write English clearly.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, in English, both orally and in writing.
• Carry out organizational leadership philosophies and practices.
• Identify problems, secure relevant information, and develop alternative solutions.
• Prepare detailed written reports, policies, procedures, and performance evaluations.
• Prioritize and perform multiple tasks simultaneously, determining an appropriate course of action both technically and as a resource for other staff.
• Anticipate and delegate responsibilities during fluctuating and/or peak workloads in the Communications Center and during large-scale incidents.
• Operate various types of communications equipment, including public safety telephone and data terminals, and other related technologies.
• Read and interpret various mapping devices and relay pertinent information.
• Understand the geographic and demographic makeup of San Mateo County.
• Work under pressure, exercising good judgment and common sense while making sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Establish and maintain positive and courteous working relationships with customers, the community, and co-workers.
• Remain seated for long periods of time; read standard text/data on electronic screen or computer terminal, teletype printouts, and a variety of maps; hear in an open space and noisy environment with static or weak transmissions and/or telephone conversations.

Additional Information

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score.

Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials.

The examination process will consist of an application screening based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions (weight: pass/fail). Candidates who pass the application screening may be invited to a panel interview, which may include a pre-interview exercise (weight:100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations, or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please visit http://jobs.smcgov.org to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 11:59 PM PST
Application Screening: February 17 - 20, 2026
Civil Service Panel Interview: March 3 and/or 4, 2026

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.