Fire Communications Dispatcher

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.  

Why join the Oakland Fire Department?

The Oakland Fire Department Dispatch Center is responsible for the processing of 9-1-1 emergency calls for all fire and EMS services in the City of Oakland. It is an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) with the National Association of Emergency Dispatchers, using the Medical Priority Dispatch System. In 2024, a state-of-the-art Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system was launched to effect more efficient dispatching of OFD resources. Another new technology system is Fire Pro QA which will enhance all fire/rescue call processing much like the Emergency Medical Dispatch system does. The Center dispatches approximately 70,000 emergency calls for service annually, 49,000 of which are medical emergencies. Fire Communications is co-located with our Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and Fire Station #1 which houses an Engine, Truck, Heavy Rescue, and Battalion Chief.

We are looking for someone who is: 
Excited to help the residents and visitors of Oakland: you will be interacting with people during critical moments, who need your assistance. A passion for public service and a commitment to improving the experiences of residents and visitors is key.
Able to follow directions: You should be comfortable receiving instructions and implementing them accurately and efficiently. This includes following established procedures, adhering to safety protocols, and adjusting to updates in policies or workflows. 
Extremely patient and calm: You will encounter individuals who are stressed, frustrated, or dealing with urgent concerns. Maintaining composure in these situations is essential. Your ability to stay level-headed, actively listen, and respond with empathy will help diffuse tension and provide the best possible service to those in need.
Able to understand the meaning of teamwork: Collaboration is at the heart of this role. You will be working alongside colleagues, supervisors, and other departments to accomplish shared goals. A strong team player recognizes the importance of communication, cooperation, and mutual support to ensure efficiency and success in serving the Oakland community.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Receiving, screening, and prioritizing telephone calls for fire, medical, and other emergency City services.
• Dispatching Fire and EMS personnel and equipment.
• Responding to emergency and medical situations and making appropriate responses to protect life and property.
• Providing pre-arrival emergency medical instruction.
• Responding verbally to requests, questions, and referrals from public agencies and City departments.
• Utilizing technology such as the P1 CAD system, VESTA 9-1-1 telephone system, EBRCS Radio system, and EMD Pro QA (Fire Pro QA) on a daily basis.
• Processing calls for Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland (MACRO)
• Performing related duties as assigned.

Read the complete job description by clicking the link below
Fire Communications Dispatcher
*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland

A few reasons you might love this job: 

• Knowing you are part of a team providing life-saving services every day of the year.
• Being an integral part of the emergency services continuum from start to finish.
• You are the "first" First Responder.
• You will be a vital part of the Oakland Fire Department with over 156 years of valiant service to Oaklanders.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Working in a 24-hour, 365-day operation which may include mandatory overtime, which may be assigned at the last minute.
• The necessity to listen, type, and talk simultaneously.
• Shiftwork: Currently, the Center has three shifts consisting of Days (0700-1500), Swings (1500-2300), and Graveyard (2300-0700).

Competencies Required:

• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.

This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable.

Education:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade

Experience:
Two years of experience as a dispatcher or related field

License or Certificate/Other Requirements:

• Must be eighteen (18) or older.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• Must successfully complete and maintain regulation Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification program as a condition of employment. 

Desirable Qualifications:

• Customer service experience
• Bilingual skills
• Previous military experience, including military reserve programs
• Law Enforcement, Fire Technology, or Administrator of Justice coursework
• EMT experience or other coursework in emergency medicine
• Advanced First Aid and/or CPR certifications

The Recruitment Process:

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff review their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position. 

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to take the CritiCall Performance Assessment: CritiCall is designed to measure applicant's knowledge, skills, and abilities to complete exercises that replicate some aspect of the job. The assessment may be timed and include the following performance tests or simulations: data entry, call summarization, cross referencing, memory recall, prioritization, map reading, spelling, sentence clarity, reading comprehension. Test information is available by visiting the vendor's website at: CritiCall and Dispatcher Applicant: F.A.Q The CritiCall assessment will also include a 5-minute keyboarding test where candidates must demonstrate the ability to type at least 25 net words per minute (25 WPM). Candidates who do not meet the minimum net words per minute WILL NOT be considered. Candidates must participate in the City of Oakland's CritiCall assessment. Candidates must achieve passing scores in each section in order to advance in the recruitment process. Please note the required minimum passing score per module may not be the same as required by The Academy – each agency sets their own requirements.  (Weighted 100%) This is tentatively planned to be administered the week of April 28, 2025. 

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass. 

 
What’s in it for you?

• 15 paid holidays 
• Vacation – 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service 
• Retirement – CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security 
• Health – The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans 
• Dental – Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents 
• Vision – VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents 
• Sick leave– Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation– 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list. 

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.

If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).  

Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. 

If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.  You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Erin Zadlo at EZadlo@oaklandca.gov.

Salary : $50 - $56