Dispatcher - City of Paso Robles, CA : Job Details

Salary : $72,436.00 - $91,825.50 Annually Location : Paso Robles, CA Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 2025-20 Department: Police Opening Date: 07/23/2025 Closing Date: 8/20/2025 10:00 AM Pacific FLSA: Non-Exempt Bargaining Unit: POA Description Application Deadline: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 10:00AMTentative Written Exam Dates: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 or Thursday, August 28, 2025Tentative Interview Date: Thursday, October 2, 2025 The City of Paso Robles is excited to announce an opportunity to join our team as a Dispatcher. This position is the first point of contact in emergency and non-emergency situations, serving as the critical link between the community and our police and fire personnel in the field. In this fast-paced and rewarding position, you'll play a key role in keeping our community safe by remaining calm under pressure, managing multiple priorities, and delivering information with clarity, confidence, and compassion. It's a role that demands quick thinking, strong decision-making skills, and a steady voice when it matters most. Whether you're an experienced dispatcher or someone ready to launch into an exciting new career in public safety, we encourage you to apply. If you're looking for meaningful work where your actions make a real difference every day, this is your chance. Come serve the community, be the calm in the chaos, and make a real impact. Interested in learning more about the department and position? Sign-up for a sit-along About Paso Robles Nestled in the heart of California's scenic Central Coast, Paso Robles-short for El Paso de Robles, or The Pass of the Oaks -offers a unique blend of small-town charm, natural beauty, and modern opportunity. Originally founded around its famous mineral hot springs and rich agricultural heritage, Paso Robles has grown into a dynamic and thriving community. The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny days and cool evenings, ideal for both outdoor living and agricultural innovation. With its rolling hills, majestic oak trees, and panoramic vineyard views, Paso Robles provides a truly inspiring setting for work and life. Paso Robles' central location within San Luis Obispo County offers residents easy access to a wide array of cultural, educational, and recreational attractions. Just a short 30-minute drive south lies California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), a nationally ranked institution known for its hands-on learning and innovation. This proximity fosters strong connections to cutting-edge research, continuing education, and a highly educated talent pool. To the west, scenic Highway 1 leads to the iconic Hearst Castle in San Simeon, a historic landmark that draws visitors from around the world with its stunning architecture and sweeping coastal views. Within the county, residents can also enjoy the vibrant coastal towns of Morro Bay, Cambria, and Pismo Beach, as well as the eclectic energy of downtown San Luis Obispo. From wine tasting and hiking to art galleries, surf spots, and farmers' markets, San Luis Obispo County offers an exceptional quality of life. Today, Paso Robles is best known as a premier wine region, home to over 200 wineries producing world-class Zinfandels, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Rhône varietals. But wine is just the beginning. The city boasts a vibrant downtown filled with boutique shopping, award-winning restaurants, and a bourgeoning local arts scene. Cultural highlights include the Paso Robles Wine Festival, California Mid-State Fair, and a variety of community events that bring residents together year-round. A wide array of housing options, good schools, a welcoming business environment, and proximity to outdoor destinations make it an ideal place to live and work. Whether you're a young professional, a growing family, or someone looking to make a lifestyle change, the City of Paso Robles offers the perfect balance of opportunity, community, and California charm. The Organization The City of Paso Robles was incorporated in 1889 as a general law city and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. As of January 1, 2025, the City's population has grown to approximately 31,061, reflecting consistent growth over recent years as more residents are drawn to the City's high quality of life, strong community identity, and comprehensive municipal services. The City is a full-service municipality, meaning it provides a wide range of essential public services directly to its residents. These include police and fire protection, emergency medical response, water and wastewater utilities, parks and recreation, planning and development services, public works, and community enrichment programs. The City is committed to delivering responsive, effective, and efficient services that enhance the well-being of its residents and support a safe, sustainable, and vibrant community. The governing body consists of a five-member City Council: the Mayor, elected at large by the voters of the City; and four Councilmembers elected by district. Voters also elect one City Treasurer at-large. All six elected positions are non-partisan. The City Manager, appointed by the City Council, serves as the Chief Executive Officer and is authorized to appoint all non-elected employees, with the exception of the City Attorney. The City operates with a total annual budget of $145.7 million for fiscal year 2025-26 and employs 314.44 full-time equivalent positions across the departments of Administrative Services, City Manager's Office, Community Development, Community Services, Fire and Emergency Services, Police, Public Works, and Utilities. Typical Duties

• Monitors and receives routine and emergency calls for service
• Determines the nature and priority of a call, the availability and location of patrol units, and dispatches appropriate equipment and personnel within established policies and procedures
• Makes accurate entries into the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) computer terminals and collects and enters pertinent information into local data storage systems
• Communicates in a clear, easily understood voice with proper diction under stressful conditions
• Accurately secures and records information of reported emergency or problem and the exact location
• Provides resource information to field units, stations, other agencies, and the public
• Receives information over the radio from numerous police, fire, and public works radio frequencies
• Maintains a variety of confidential records, call and incident logs, and prepares reports as directed
• Disseminates information to field officers regarding wanted persons, property, and warrants
• Monitors officers in the field to ensure their physical safety
• Maintains departmental security by operating intercoms, locks, and gates
• Performs other related duties as assigned

This position requires rotating shift assignments and is subject to mandatory overtime in accordance with maintaining a fully operational 24-hour/365-day facility. Candidates must be available to work a variety of shifts including weekends, holidays, and/or irregular hours. Employment Standards & Special Requirements Knowledge of:

• The organization, operations, and terminology of public safety agencies
• Modern office equipment, including computers, Microsoft Office, Microsoft 365, and related word processing and spreadsheet software
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws and codes
• Knowledge of the English language, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Proper radio dispatching techniques, including code language
• Geography of the City, including the location of streets, roads, highways, areas, major buildings, and public facilities
• Departmental rules, policies, and procedures

Ability to:

• Operate a California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, and Records Management System (RMS)
• Simultaneously take calls, radio dispatch, prioritize calls for service, manage incidents, units and resources, and log incident details in the computer aided dispatching software during normal and high-volume period
• Calmly and effectively manage emergency situations and assist in directing others in an appropriate course of action during stressful situations
• Display excellent interpersonal communication and public contact skills
• Retain and accurately relay information received from a variety of sources
• Work efficiently and effectively under stress, and exercise sound judgment in emergency situations
• Adjust quickly to changing situations and perform several tasks at once while adjusting appropriate prioritization of incoming calls
• Use clear enunciation, tact, and courtesy while handling irate or distraught individuals
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in course of work

Education and Experience Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be equivalent to:

• Graduation from high school; and
• Two years of experience working with the public

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver license and a satisfactory driving record
• At least 18 years of age
• Must successfully complete the 160-hour Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course, and obtain CPR and first aid certifications within 12 months of appointment

Spanish language skills are highly desirable. Lateral Transfers Lateral transfers are able to waive the written test requirement and are provided a shorter probationary period upon hire. To be considered a lateral, applicants must meet both of the following requirements:

• Current employment as a law enforcement dispatcher; and
• Possess a California POST Basic Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate (Individuals are eligible to apply for a POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate upon satisfactory completion of both the 160-hour Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course and an agency's probationary period.)

Selection Procedure & Application Process Selection Components:1. Written Exam - Candidates who receive a score of 48 or above on the PELDSTB may be invited to an interview. The written test may be waived if the candidate meets one of the following conditions:

• Has taken the PELDSTB in the last year and scored 48 or higher; documentation of your test score on agency letterhead must be provided with your application
• Is considered a lateral transfer (as described above)

2. Interview To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, please submit a completed employment application and all applicable documents by the application deadline. This is a confidential recruitment and will be handled accordingly throughout the various stages of the process. Candidates should be aware that references will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. Applications received will be reviewed for accuracy, completeness and job related qualifications. A limited number of persons whose applications clearly demonstrate they most closely meet the requirements may be invited to participate in the selection process, which may be any combination of written, oral, and/or performance exams. All statements made in the application materials are subject to verification. False statements will be cause for disqualification or discharge. Appointment is subject to successfully passing a pre-employment physical, psychological exam, polygraph, background check, and criminal history check. Before starting work, applicants must present documentation of their identity, authorization to work in the United States, and a DMV driving record. City of Paso Robles participates in E-Verify (more information can be found at ). Following appointment, a probationary period of eighteen (18) months for non-laterals or twelve (12) months for laterals is required as the final phase of the appointment process. The email address you provide on the City application will be the primary means of communication the City will use to contact you regarding your application and this recruitment. If you have questions regarding the application process, please contact Human Resources at (805) ###-####, or by email at All persons employed by the City of Paso Robles are designated as disaster service workers as defined in the California Government Code section 3100 and 3101. The City of Paso Robles provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract. Photos by: @brittanyapp Vacation: Accrual of 80 hours per year, increasing with years of service. New hires will be front loaded 40 hours of vacation leave. After 6 months of employment, employees will accrue hours in accordance with the Sick Leave: Accrual of 96 hours per year. New hires will be front loaded 48 hours of sick leave. After 6 months of employment, employees will accrue hours in accordance with the Holidays: 14 per year (paid at 4.31 hours per pay period) Health Insurance:

• Medical: City pays $924.14 per month of employee premium, $1,574.36 per month of premium for employee with one dependent, and $2,045.28 per month of premium for employee with two or more dependents
  • Employees who opt out of health coverage may be eligible for a payment of $300/month
• Dental: City pays full premium for employee and partial premium for family
• Vision: City pays premium for employee and family

Retirement:

• CalPERS
  • Classic Tier 1 members participate in a formula of 2.5% at 55, with the employee paying an 8% member contribution, plus a 2% cost sharing contribution, for a total of 10%. The highest year is used for final compensation calculation.
  • Classic Tier 2 members participate in a formula of 2% at 60, with the employee paying a 7% member contribution, plus a 3% cost sharing contribution, for a total of 10%. An average of the 3 highest years is used for final compensation calculation.
  • PEPRA members participate in a formula of 2% at 62, with the employee paying one-half of the normal cost (currently 7.75%) contribution, plus a 3% cost sharing contribution, for a total of 10.75%. An average of the 3 highest years is used for final compensation calculation.
• Deferred Compensation: Employee can set aside tax free dollars toward their retirement
• Social Security: Both the City and employee contribute to Social Security

Life Insurance: Employee only coverage of $40,000 paid by the City Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The City pays 100% of the cost of the Employee Assistance Program for the employee and their family Flexible Spending Account: Allows you to pay for dependent care and unreimbursed medical expenses on a pre-tax basis Bilingual Pay: Spanish verbal skills: $100 per month; Spanish written skills: $25 per month Uniform Allowance: $1,000 per year Certification Pay: $46.15 per pay period for Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) and CPR certifications OR an additional 2.5% of base pay for Intermediate POST Certificate; additional 1% of base pay for Advanced POST Certificate Education Reimbursement: Reimbursement up to $3,000 per fiscal year for educational costs directly related to occupational field or for promotion within City service Retiree Health Reimbursement: Up to $500 per month reimbursement of health premiums for employees who retire from the City with at least 20 years of service until the age of 65 For additional details and information, please see the Paso Robles Police Association (POA) memorandum of understanding located on our website at 01 Please explain why you are interested in working for the City of Paso Robles as a Dispatcher. (Limit your response to 500 words.) 02 To be considered a lateral transfer, you must meet both of the following conditions. Please check all that apply to you.

• Current employment as a law enforcement dispatcher
• Possession of a California POST Dispatcher Basic Certificate (not the 160-hour course certificate)
• N/A - Not a lateral applicant

03 Do you possess any of the following? Please select all that apply and attach a copy of each to your application.

• 160 hour Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course
• POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate (Requires completion of both the 160-hour Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course AND an agency's probationary period before individuals are eligible to apply for the certificate.)
• POST Public Safety Dispatcher Intermediate Certificate
• POST Public Safety Dispatcher Advanced Certificate
• First Aid
• CPR
• N/A- None Obtained

04 Have you taken the POST Entry Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery (PELDSTB) exam with another agency within the last year and scored a 48 or above? If yes, please submit your certified results as an attachment to your application. The document must contain your name, your passing score, the date of the exam, and must be on the testing agency's letterhead.

• Yes
• No

05 Describe your experience and level of proficiency utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Please also include any experience you have with additional computer programs. (Limit your response to 500 words.) Required Question