Communications Dispatcher I​/II - Fire & Sheriff

The Fire Department is accepting applications to fill multiple vacancies located in Santa Barbara.

The Fire Department is looking for committed, compassionate individuals to join our team as Communications Dispatchers (911 Dispatchers). In this vital role, you will be the first point of contact during emergencies—providing clear guidance, critical support, and reassurance to people in their most urgent moments.

If you are driven by a desire to serve your community and want a stable, meaningful career where every call can make a difference, we invite you to join the team that helps protect lives and keeps our community safe.

Although the current vacancies are full-time, and in the Fire Department, the Sheriff’s Office and the Fire Department may use this recruitment to fill future full-time, part-time and extra-help (temporary) vacancies as well. The work schedule for this position will depend upon the needs of the department.

Lateral Transfer:
For dispatchers working within a California public agency operating in a personnel merit system in the State of California, who want to be considered as a Lateral Transfer, please submit an online application, .

Communications Dispatcher I

$36.00 - $43.35 Hourly

$74,871.68 - $90,172.16 Annually

Plus, a bilingual allowance of $95.00 per biweekly pay period for qualified employees

Communications Dispatcher II

$39.49 - $47.62 Hourly

$82,141.28 - $99,039.20 Annually

Plus, a bilingual allowance of $95.00 per biweekly pay period for qualified employees

Employees promote from the I to the II level after completing the required training, obtaining required certifications, demonstrating required job competencies, and meeting performance standards. This typically takes 1-2 years. Candidates who apply to this recruitment with the required certifications and experience may be appointed at the II level.

Benefits & Compensation:

To learn more about County benefits, please visit these links:

Health Benefits and Wellness:

Compensation

Summary:

Retirement:

Memorandum of Understanding:

General Role Description

As a Dispatcher, your primary responsibility is to respond to emergency calls and provide critical assistance to individuals in distress. Your key job duties include swiftly and accurately answering emergency calls, gathering essential information from callers, and determining the nature and severity of the situation. You will dispatch the appropriate emergency services, such as law enforcement, fire, or medical personnel, while maintaining clear and reassuring communication with callers to provide vital instructions or support until help arrives.

In addition to handling emergency calls, you will operate communication equipment and maintain detailed records of incidents.

Please note:

Extensive training is provided, and no prior experience is required.

The ideal candidate for this position should excel in high-stress communication scenarios, demonstrating effective and reassuring communication skills. They must uphold a strong reputation for honesty, trustworthiness, and good moral character, earning the trust and credibility of both colleagues and the public. Dependability, integrity, and sound judgment under pressure are also crucial qualities we seek in our ideal candidate, as they play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our community during emergencies.

Hiring Department Information

Please visit the following pages to learn more about the specific roles and requirements in the hiring departments:

Fire Department: We are accepting applications to fill multiple full-time Communications Dispatcher I/II vacancies.  to visit the website to learn more about the position and the department.

Sheriff’s Office
:  to visit the website to learn more about the position and the department.