Exam Bulletin - Communications Supervisor

Department of Parks & Recreation

Multiple Testing Departments. Please see list of Departments.

Exam Code: EX-2902

Examination Plans Included:

  • COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Bulletin Updates

  • Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.
  • Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.

Classification Details

COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR: $5,593.00 - $7,701.00 per Month

View the COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR classification specification.

Application Instructions

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 8/1/2024
  • 11/1/2024
  • 2/1/2025
  • 5/1/2025
  • 8/1/2025
  • 11/1/2025
  • 2/1/2026
  • 5/1/2026
  • 8/1/2026
  • 11/1/2026

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will be processed in the next group.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 9 months:

Exam Code(s):

    2902

For COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 9 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-02902

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

  • Selections Unit - Jacques Carter
    Department of Parks and Recreation
    Selections Unit
    P.O. Box 942896
    Sacramento, CA 94296-0001

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

  • Department of Parks and Recreation
    Selections Unit - Jacques Carter
    715 P Street
    1st Floor Security Desk
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00101671 - COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR


Either I

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties comparable to a Communications Operator, Range B.

Or II

Experience: Three years of experience in dispatching for a department for emergency vehicles by radio/telephone.

Or III

Experience: Four years of progressively responsible experience in a large dispatch center for dispatching police, forestry, or fire vehicles, one year of which must include supervision of subordinate communications personnel.
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.

Penal Code Section 13510(c) requires that State agencies participating in the P.O.S.T. program shall evaluate oral communication skills to ensure skill levels commensurate with the satisfactory performance of dispatch duties.

Position Description

00101671 - COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR

This is the supervisory level in the series. Under general direction, incumbents typically plan, organize, and assign work to a group of communications personnel and may assist with the 24-hour operation of a communications center. Typical duties include: providing for and conducting training for communications personnel in the operation of radio/telephone receivers, transmitters, teletypewriters and associated equipment, teleprinters, computer aided dispatching, and departmental radio procedures; working with and assisting employees in learning radio transmission codes, local geography, departmental rules and regulations, and allied material; preparing employees’ work schedules; reviewing and evaluating employees’ work performance; participating in the selection of new communications personnel; and performing routine staff work and the most difficult dispatch duties.

Consistently report to work with a minimum of absences; willingness to work on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays at odd or irregular hours and night shifts; voice well-modulated for radio transmission and clear enunciation; emotional stability; hearing necessary to perform the duties of the position; and a satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1Supplemental ReportAfter Acceptance100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

The Training and Experience (T&E) Examination will consist of statements designed to measure how your training and work history have provided you the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification.

*Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be sent an email with the link to access and take the T&E examination. Candidates must include a current/valid email address on their application. Failure to provide your current/valid email address will prevent you from taking the examination.

Reschedules will only be considered based on the California Government Code and the California Department of Human Resources policy.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:

  1.  Telecommunications systems including California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS).
  2.  Radio Standard Operating Procedure policy and procedures.
  3.  National Crime Information Center policy and procedures.
  4.  Computer-aided dispatch systems.
  5.  Principles of effective writing.
  6.  Departmental Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) objectives.
  7.  A supervisor’s role in the Equal Employment Opportunity program and the processes available to meet the Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

Ability to:

  1.  Work under stress and maintain composure, establish priorities, and take appropriate action.
  2.  Recall a variety of situations and retain information.
  3.  Document accurately.
  4.  Compose written reports.
  5.  Supervise the work of others.
  6.  Train employees.
  7.  Give accurate instructions and directions.
  8.  Operate radio console, teletype, and other radio room equipment.
  9.  Effectively contribute to the Department’s Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR Classification will be established for:

  • State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Testing Departments

  • California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
  • Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
  • Department of Parks & Recreation
  • Department of State Hospitals
  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Parks & Recreation
Jacques Carter, Selections Analyst
Department of Parks and Recreation
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
Phone: (916) 902-8674
jacques.carter@parks.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of Parks & Recreation reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.
Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
In Person (see bulletin for details)
Alternate Application Process

While we recommend that you utilize your CalCareer Account to take advantage of all the tools available, you may choose to apply for this examination without using your account. In this case, print and complete the Exam Application Package Checklist and include it if you submit a hard copy application.

Exam Application Package Checklist

Blank Application Form (STD678)

Accommodation Request (STD679)