Dispatch Supervisor

If youre a public safety communications professional with leadership experience and a passion for service we invite you to apply for our Dispatch Supervisor position. We are seeking a skilled and motivated Dispatch Supervisor to lead daily dispatch operations and support the delivery of critical emergency and non-emergency public safety services.

In this leadership role you will supervise dispatch personnel coordinate resources to support law enforcement fire and emergency response operations and help ensure accurate timely and effective communications during routine and high-priority incidents. The Dispatch Supervisor serves as a key operational leader providing guidance training and support to staff while promoting professionalism accountability and exceptional service to the community.

The ideal candidate is a confident decision-maker who thrives in a fast-paced environment exercises sound judgment under pressure and is committed to employee development operational excellence and public safety. If you are passionate about leading a high-performing team and making a meaningful impact in your community we encourage you to apply.

About Paso Robles

Nestled in the heart of Californias scenic Central Coast Paso Roblesshort for El Paso de Robles or The Pass of the Oaksoffers 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 youre 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 Citys population has grown to approximately 31061 reflecting consistent growth over recent years as more residents are drawn to the Citys 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 $148.5 million for fiscal year 2026-27 and employs 311.97 full-time equivalent positions across the departments of Administrative Services City Managers Office Community Development Community Services Fire and Emergency Services Police Public Works and Utilities.

The following duties are typical of this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the duties set forth below and/or maybe required to perform additional related duties to address City needs and evolving business practices.

• Plans organizes coordinates supervises and participates in the daily operations of the communications center; ensures efficient effective and responsive delivery of emergency and non-emergency communications services.
• Collaborates with watch commanders battalion chiefs and other public safety personnel to address operational priorities coordinate resources and support field operations and emergency response activities.
• Assigns directs monitors and evaluates the work of communications personnel; establishes performance expectations and provides coaching mentoring training and professional development.
• Conducts performance evaluations; addresses performance deficiencies; recommends corrective and disciplinary actions; and recognizes employee achievements and contributions.
• Oversees staffing scheduling shift coverage and deployment of communications personnel to ensure operational readiness and continuity of service.
• Provides technical guidance and operational support to dispatch personnel during complex critical high-risk or unusual incidents.
• Conducts training onboarding and ongoing professional development of staff; ensures compliance with departmental standards and regulatory requirements.
• Assists in the development implementation and continuous improvement of policies procedures training programs operational guidelines and quality assurance standards.
• Monitors and oversees communications center activities ensuring accurate documentation legal requirements regulatory standards recordkeeping and adherence to established protocols.
• Interprets and enforces departmental policies procedures and applicable regulations.
• Supervises and participates in receiving evaluating prioritizing and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls for service; ensures appropriate resource allocation and timely response.
• Oversees the operation and use of CAD RMS CLETS emergency medical dispatch systems and related communications technologies; ensures compliance with applicable laws regulations and operating standards.
• Reviews communications records call documentation dispatch activities and data entry transactions to ensure accuracy completeness quality and compliance.
• Coordinates the timely exchange of information between field personnel allied agencies emergency service providers and the public.
• Monitors radio communications and communications systems to maintain situational awareness and support officer safety responder safety and public safety.
• Oversees the dissemination of critical information including warrants criminal justice information officer safety alerts emergency notifications and mutual aid communications.
• Monitors the status and welfare of field personnel and ensures appropriate action is taken during emergency or officer safety incidents.
• Conducts quality assurance reviews of emergency and non-emergency calls dispatch activities and emergency medical dispatch protocols; identifies training needs and implements corrective actions as necessary.
• Oversees communications center security functions including access control systems emergency notification systems and related security technologies.
• Prepares and maintains operational reports statistical data training records and other documentation related to communications center activities.
• Assists with recruitment selection onboarding and retention of communications personnel.
• Researches and evaluates operational issues industry trends technologies and regulatory requirements; recommends and implements process improvements and operational enhancements.
• Represents the department in meetings committees training activities and interagency coordination efforts related to public safety communications.

Knowledge of:

• Principles practices and techniques of supervision leadership employee development performance management and personnel administration.
• Public safety communications operations including emergency call-taking radio dispatching emergency medical dispatch protocols resource coordination and incident management.
• Organization functions services and operational procedures of law enforcement fire service emergency medical services and related public safety agencies.
• Applicable federal state and local laws regulations standards and policies governing public safety communications criminal justice information emergency communications systems and records management.
• Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records management systems (RMS) the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) emergency medical dispatch systems and related communications technologies.
• Principles and practices of quality assurance training operational evaluation and continuous process improvement.
• Standard radio communications procedures dispatch protocols emergency notification systems and telecommunications equipment.
• Staff scheduling workload management and resource allocation principles.
• Geography of the service area including streets landmarks public facilities response districts and jurisdictional boundaries.
• Modern office practices procedures computer applications and business software.
• English usage grammar spelling punctuation and effective oral and written communication techniques.
• Principles and practices of customer service conflict resolution and communication in stressful or emotionally charged situations.

Ability to:

• Effectively plan organize assign and supervise the work of communications personnel to ensure efficient and effective operations.
• Lead coach mentor and motivate staff; address performance issues and promote a professional accountable and customer-focused work environment.
• Interpret apply explain and ensure compliance with laws regulations policies procedures and communications standards.
• Recommend implement and evaluate operational goals objectives policies and procedures.
• Oversee and support the communications training program including onboarding and ongoing skill development.
• Simultaneously manage multiple competing priorities including call-taking radio dispatching incident prioritization and resource coordination while maintaining accuracy professionalism and sound judgment in routine and high-stress situations.
• Analyze incoming information determine call priority assess operational needs and direct appropriate response in accordance with established protocols.
• Monitor and evaluate communications activities to ensure accuracy efficiency compliance and effective service delivery.
• Operate and oversee the use of CAD RMS CLETS and other communications systems with accuracy and compliance.
• Maintain situational awareness and coordinate information personnel and resources during emergency and critical incidents.
• Communicate clearly and effectively over radio telephone and other communications systems using proper diction tone and protocol.
• Remain calm exercise sound judgment and provide leadership in emergencies; provide direction and support to staff during critical incidents.
• Accurately receive retain and relay information from multiple sources under time-sensitive conditions.
• Adapt quickly to changing situations shifting priorities and multiple simultaneous demands.
• Interact tactfully and professionally with the public including individuals who may be upset distressed or confrontational.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees command staff field personnel allied agencies service providers and members of the public.
• Identify new products implement new dispatch practices and train personnel.

Human Relations and Communications Skills

Regular contact within the department and periodic contact with other departments outside agencies or the general public to exchange specialized information.

Analytical Skills and Complexity

Exercises considerable analytical ability to select evaluate and interpret data from multiple sources. Requires interpretation and application of guidelines policies and procedures to determine appropriate actions.

Education and Experience

A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Graduation from high school or possession of a General Educational Development (GED) certificate; and
• Four years of public safety dispatching experience with a police and/or fire agency.

Licenses and Certifications

Requires possession of the following:

• A valid California Class C driver license and a satisfactory driving record
• CPR and First Aid certification
• California POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate
• Must meet the eligibility requirements to obtain a POST Dispatch Supervisor certification within three years of appointment; certification must be granted by POST within four years of appointment
• Must obtain an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certificate within one year of appointment.

Other Requirements

Must meet or exceed all Public Safety Dispatcher selection requirements pursuant to 11 CCR 1956.

This position requires rotating shift assignments and is subject to mandatory overtime in accordance with maintaining a fully operational 24-hour facility. Will be required to work weekends holidays and/or irregular hours.