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 an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) with the National Association of Emergency Dispatchers and is responsible for processing 9-1-1 emergency calls for all fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the City of Oakland. The Dispatch Center uses the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) and handles approximately 70,000 emergency calls for service annually, including 49,000 medical emergencies. In 2024, a state-of-the-art Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and the new Fire Pro QA system were launched to improve operational efficiency with dispatching Oakland Fire Department resources. The Dispatch Center is co-located with our Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Fire Station #1, which houses an Engine, Truck, Heavy Rescue, and Battalion Chief.As a Fire Communications Supervisor, you will have a leading role in the coordination and supervision of the Fire Dispatch Center, overseeing daily operations and ensuring every emergency call is handled efficiently and effectively. Your work directly impacts the safety of Oakland residents and first responders, from processing life-saving calls to supporting critical emergency services like Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland (MACRO). You will lead a dedicated team and contribute to a division that handles tens of thousands of emergencies annually.If you are committed to public service and enjoy guiding and mentoring others, we encourage you to apply!
We are looking for someone who is:
- A strong leader and decision maker: You will oversee a small team of Dispatchers and maintain daily operations in the Fire Dispatch Center, so it is important to make quick and accurate judgments and provide clear direction and support to your team. You need to process information rapidly and choose the best course of action to help keep operations running smoothly.
- Excited to help the residents and visitors of Oakland: You will interact with people during critical moments who need your assistance, so a passion for public service and a commitment to improving the experiences of residents and visitors are essential.
- Patient and calm: You will encounter individuals who are stressed, frustrated, and/or dealing with urgent concerns. Maintaining composure in these situations is crucial, and 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.
- Team-oriented: Collaboration, communication, and mutual support are key in this role because you will collaborate with your team of dispatchers, colleagues, supervisors, and other departments to work efficiently and successfully serve the Oakland community. You will also coordinate resources during major emergency events and step in as a dispatcher when needed.
- Skilled at retaining information: Situations evolve rapidly, so you will need to recall critical information about protocols, procedures, resources, and operations to ensure that information passed to dispatchers and first responders is consistent and reliable.
What you will typically be responsible for:
- Assigning, supervising, and evaluating your staff of up to 5 Dispatchers; preparing work schedules to maintain adequate staffing; identifying training needs and goals, and implementing training programs.
- Coordinating dispatch operations during major emergencies or incidents; receiving, screening, and prioritizing telephone calls for fire, medical, and other emergency City services; processing calls for MACRO.
- Monitoring, troubleshooting, and diagnosing components of the CAD system and other equipment used in the day-to-day operations of the Communications Dispatch Center.
- Receiving and responding to complaints received from the public, other City departments, field units, or outside agencies; researching complaints, preparing appropriate responses, and determining the proper action.
- Reviewing and making recommendations in establishing or updating policies and procedures to reflect changes in the law or in the operations of the division.
- Preparing and maintaining activity and staffing reports, training records, and all other related records or administrative reports.
Read the complete job description by clicking .
* 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:
- You will be in charge of the Fire Dispatch Center’s operations and will be considered the point of contact for field command staff.
- You will be part of a team that provides life-saving services every day of the year.
- You will be a vital part of the Oakland Fire Department, which has provided over 156 years of valiant service to Oaklanders.
A few challenges you might face in this job:
- You will be a part of the staff rotation and be expected to take 9-1-1 calls, dispatch resources, and handle radio traffic.
- You will work in a 24-hour, 365-day operation, which may include mandatory overtime and may be assigned at the last minute.
- You will have a set schedule of either day shift (0700-1500), swing shift (1500-2300), or graveyard shift (2300-0700), which may make it challenging to sleep during the day or maintain a work-life balance.
Competencies Required:
- 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
- Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
- Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
- Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
- Establishing Credibility: Doing what one commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
- Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
- Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
- Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
- Managing Performance: Ensuring superior individual and group performance
- Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
- Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
- Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
- Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
- Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
Minimum Requirements for Application
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.
Any combination of experience and education that demonstrates the possession of required knowledge and abilities may be considered. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education:
High school diploma or equivalent.
Experience:
Five (5) years of experience as a journey-level Fire Communications Dispatcher. One (1) year of lead or supervisory experience is desirable.
License or Certificate / Other Requirements:
Must be a state-certified Emergency Medical Dispatcher.
Successful incumbents in this position are expected to operate an automotive vehicle in the performance of assigned duties. Due to the nature of the assignment and the hours worked, public transportation may not be a cost-effective or efficient method of traveling to the various locations required. Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver's License throughout the tenure of the employment or demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.Must pass a thorough background investigation.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Advanced First Aid and/or CPR certifications
- Bilingual skills
- Customer service experience
- Experience leading or supervising in a public safety environment
- Previous first responder experience, including firefighter (paid, volunteer, reserve), paramedic or EMT, Police Officer, any military service, and any experience in behavioral health and wellness
Pay: $119,214.84 - $146,390.04 per year
Work Location: In person
