Photo Credit: Brittany App
Application Deadline: Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 10:00AM
Tentative Interview Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
If you're 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.
Interested in learning more about the department and position? Sign-up for a sit-along here.
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 312.44 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.
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.
To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, please submit a completed employment application, a cover letter describing how your skills and experience translate to the requirements of the position, and all required licenses and certifications by Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 10:00AM.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.
Assessment Components: Candidates must pass each performance examination (written exercise, peer interview, and leadership interview) with a minimum score of 70% to be placed on the eligibility list. A candidate's final composite score based on the weight factors indicated below will determine their rank on the eligibility list.
- Leadership Interview - 45%
- Peer Interview - 35%
- Written Exercise - 20%
City of Paso Robles participates in E-Verify (more information can be found at www.PRCity.com/HR). 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) 237-3962, or by email at Jobs@PRCity.com. 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.
