COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

Job Description and Duties

Patton State Hospital, Human Resources Department is accepting applications for at least one (1) Permanent, Full Time Communications Operator position. The position exists in the Hospital Police Department and is under the direction of the Communications Supervisor.

The Communications Operator is responsible for operating a broad variety of telecommunications equipment, multi-frequency/channel radio systems, 24-hour taping system, radio scanning system, and California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) in the Communications Center which operates 24 hours a day/365 days a year. The incumbent is also responsible for performing dispatch functions for the Hospital Police Department which include maintaining a log of all radio traffic as well as handle medical and emergency calls.

Desirable qualifications :

Strong retention skills, multi-tasking abilities, and above average typing skills; excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills in a working environment where stressful, emergency situations occur unexpectedly and regularly.  The incumbent must also have excellent attendance and commit to various work schedules which include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Prior dispatch and/or switchboard experience is highly desirable and preferred.  

Special Requirements :

Existing law requires that a thorough background investigation shall be conducted to verify the absence of past behavior indicative of unsuitability to perform public safety dispatcher duties. The background investigation shall include a check of Department of Motor Vehicles' records, and a search of local, State, and national criminal history files to disclose any criminal record. Persons unsuccessful in the investigation cannot be appointed to the Communications Operator series.

Existing law requires that a medical examination shall be conducted to verify the absence of any medical condition which would preclude the safe and efficient performance of dispatcher duties. Persons unsuccessful in the medical exam cannot be appointed to the Communications Operator series.

The position requires a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.  

All applicants may be pre-screened for breadth and depth of experience. Only the most qualified applicants may be interviewed based on screening criteria. For this reason, it is especially important that applicants take special care in thoroughly and accurately completing the application.  In addition, a written and/or typing exercise may be given at the time of interview.

Unless there is a specific request to be notified via USPS mail, our main contact will be via email. Email correspondence regarding this job posting will primarily come from  .  It is the applicant’s responsibility to check their email inbox, including junk/spam emails for any correspondence regarding their application status. In addition, applicants are encouraged to keep their CalCareers profile updated with a current telephone number, mailing address, and email.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Patton is a forensic psychiatric hospital and was established in 1890 and opened in 1893. DSH-Patton provides treatment to forensically and civilly committed patients within a secure treatment area. The hospital does not accept voluntary admissions.  

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Examination/ Employment Application (STD. 678) including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week , and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYY). Application packages without this information will experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

A completed STD. 678 and any other relevant documents (e.g., unofficial transcript, copy of degree, resume, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareers account.  Please reference Job Control # 437006  and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application.  Please remove any confidential information (i.e., social security number, date of birth) from your documents prior to submission.

Complete Application Packages (including your STD. 678 and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareers account at .  Submitting an electronic application through your CalCareers account is strongly recommended since electronic applications will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.   Please submit only one application.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Strong retention skills, multi-tasking abilities, and above average typing skills; excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills in a working environment where stressful, emergency situations occur unexpectedly and regularly.  The incumbent must also have excellent attendance and commit to various work schedules which include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.  Prior dispatch and/or switchboard experience is highly desirable and preferred.

Benefits

Please review the Benefits Summary that may also be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website. You will find information on the benefits afforded by membership in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act, and salary ranges and a summary of the Communications Operator classification. 

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.