THE CITY OF NOVATO IS RECRUITING
FOR
DISPATCH SUPERVISOR
*This is an internal promotional opportunity ONLY.*
*To be considered for this position, you must already be an employee with the City of Novato and meet minimum qualifications.*
Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
Definition
The fundamental reason for the existence of this classification is to plan, organize and supervise the operation of the Communication Center; monitor several public safety radio frequencies; develop, coordinate, schedule and provide comprehensive training to less experienced police employees; perform and supervise a variety of general support duties related to the Communications Section including scheduling, record keeping, typing, and filing.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is the advanced supervisory level class in the Dispatcher series. Position assigned to this class can be distinguished from lower level classes by responsibility for providing first-line supervision which includes planning, scheduling, assigning, and evaluating the work of assigned subordinates; providing training and technical assistance to less experienced staff.
Supervision Received and Exercised
Receives general direction from the Technical Services Manager.
Exercises direct supervision over senior dispatchers, dispatchers, and records personnel in the absence of the Technical Services Manager.
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
Essential Functions - Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules for work to be performed; implement policies and procedures.
- Supervises and participates in receiving emergency calls from the public requesting police or other emergency service; determine nature and location of emergency, determine priority and dispatch emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedure.
- Maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of police field units.
- Coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement agencies.
- Supervises and participates receiving non-emergency calls for assistance; answer maintenance service emergencies on weekends and holidays.
- Supervises and participates entering, updating, and retrieving information from County, State, and National Law Enforcement data bases relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information.
- Facilitate and participate in DOJ audits.
- Responsible for coordinating a comprehensive dispatch training program to new dispatch staff (includes recommendations, training, and evaluating); directs and monitors the work of trainee; develops schedules and work plans for trainee; works with employee to correct deficiencies; may be participating in the direct training of the employee.
- Provides comprehensive dispatch training to lower level or less experienced staff (including sworn personnel).
- Maintain and update dispatch training guides and procedures.
- Prepares summary reports and evaluations related to the Dispatch training program.
- Prepares and conducts performance evaluations on assigned subordinates.
- Prepares and coordinates the schedule for the Communications Section. This includes assuring adequate staffing for shifts; places call for off-duty personnel needed for emergencies or to replace personnel who are ill; approves overtime and time-off requests based on budget considerations and department procedure.
- Determines the need for after-hour repair of communications equipment and request for the appropriate technician.
- Performs a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work; maintain a variety of logs related to public safety activities.
- Recommend and coordinate technology improvements and on-going repairs with the City Information Technology Department.
- Provide updates to the Technical Services Manager on an ongoing basis.
Additional Duties
In addition to the duties listed in the Essential Duties section, employees in this classification may perform the following duties.
- Test and inspect equipment as required.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
Principles of supervision, training and employee performance evaluation; Organization, procedures and operating details of a Police Department; Issues impacting the local community and methods to address the issues; Geographic features and streets within the area served; Standard radio broadcasting procedures and rules; Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation and grammar; City and Department Policies and procedures; Community oriented policing and problem-solving; Modern office equipment procedures including use of word processing and law enforcement specific databases and software; Information technology, personal computer, and related software application; Principles and practices of customer service; Modern organizational methods.
Ability to:
Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities including sitting for extended periods of time; Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, operating assigned equipment, reading and writing.
Experience and Education:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: Three years of increasingly responsible dispatching experience.
Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
License or Certificate
Possession of CA P.O.S.T. Public Safety Basic and Intermediate Dispatcher Certificate; Advanced Public Safety Dispatcher certificate is preferred, as well as the ability to obtain the CA POST Dispatcher Supervisory within 1 year of appointment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Environmental Conditions: The environment includes exposure to stressful situations; work will involve pressure generated by the necessity for appropriate and timely response and follow-up required by emergency and routine events that often occur simultaneously and supervising employees and significant incidents. Work will include shift assignments on evenings, weekends and holidays.
Physical Conditions: Essential and marginal functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods of time.
SELECTION PROCESS
It is important to complete all required application materials, including the supplemental questionnaire and any required additional documents. All applications will be screened for completeness and possession of minimum qualifications. Qualified applications will be reviewed in detail to identify the most qualified candidates to continue in the selection process which may consist solely of an application screening, or may include a written examination, skills assessment, oral appraisal interview, assessment center, or other activity selected by the Human Resources Department and the hiring department. As a result of the selection process an eligibility list of qualified candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies as long as the eligibility list remains active.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Only Online Applications will be accepted. To be considered for this exciting opportunity, candidates must complete an online application and the required supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire is part of the application; please provide sufficient detail to enable your answers to be rated.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11:59PM on Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Accommodation: Applicants who may require special assistance in any step of the selection process should advise Human Resources by emailing hr@novato.org upon submittal of application.
The City of Novato is an Equal Opportunity Employer
