Exam Bulletin

Department of Parks & Recreation

Multiple Testing Departments. Please see list of Departments.

Exam Code: EX-3574

Examination Plans Included:

  • COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR - Open

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

Bulletin Updates

  • Contact information on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.

Classification Details

COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR: $4,598.00 - $6,332.00 (A) per Month
COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR: $5,203.00 - $7,163.00 (B) per Month

View the COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR classification specification.

Application Instructions

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 9/1/2024
  • 10/1/2024
  • 11/1/2024
  • 12/1/2024

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.

Final Filing Date:  Continuous

Cutoff Date:  The first day of every month (e.g., January 1st)  Applications will be processed on the first day of every month.  Applications recieved after the cutoff date will be held and processed on the next established cutoff date.  For applications mailed in, the postmarked date will be considered the recieved date.

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 OPERATOR - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 3 months:

Exam Code(s):

    3574

For COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 3 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-03574

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 - Gladys Imperio-Acosta
    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 - Gladys Imperio-Acosta
    715 P Street
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Application drop off at 1st floor Security Desk.

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.

Do not send your application via email, office mail or interoffice mail.  Applications recieved in this manner will not be accepted and cannot be returned pursuant to California Code of Regulations $174.

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.

00101670 - COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

Education: Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade and 

Either I

Experience: Six months of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Dispatcher-Clerk.

Or II

Experience: One year of experience in dispatching work involving the operation of radio communications equipment/systems.

Or III

Experience: Two years of experience involving a substantial amount of direct and telephone contact with the public and the responsibility to perform numerous tasks simultaneously.

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.

Penal Code Section 13510(c) requires that State agencies participating in the P.O.S.T. program shall require that the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course be the minimum basic training for all public safety dispatchers in the program. The course shall be completed within 12 months of hire or assignment to dispatcher duties. Failure to successfully complete the course shall be cause for termination based on failure to meet the required conditions of employment.

Position Description

00101670 - COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

This is the entry, working, and journey level for this series. Employees work under general supervision in a Communications Center. Incumbents in this series operate multifrequency/channel radio systems, law enforcement telecommunications terminals, computer terminals, and associated equipment; respond to telephone hot-line circuits; dispatch mobile law enforcement and emergency response units to specified points as required; identify locations where assistance is required, determine the availability and location of departmental units, and dispatch units by radio; request emergency services as requested or required by field personnel; respond to other law enforcement and emergency response agencies, dispatching departmental units for response as necessary; act as incident coordinators, tracking and responding to emergency response calls; access data related to warrants, driver licenses, vehicle and vessel registrations, hazardous materials, weapons, stolen property, and criminal history information through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System; access data on other law enforcement records' databases; maintain required logs; answer telephone inquiries and provide information; and perform other related 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
1Online ExamAfter Acceptance100%

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

The examination will consist solely of a Performance Examination. The Performance Examination is an online examination that consists of a computer-based test of multi-tasking ability under stress using CRITICALL software designed to measure your knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. This examination will take up to 2 hours.

Accepted applicants are required to have a Computer (Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers/Headphones, and access to the internet) to take this examination. Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari are compatible web browsers. The CRITICALL test link will not work with any mobile device running on a mobile operating system (Android or IOS).

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be sent an email from TestGenius with the link to access and take the Performance 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.

It is anticipated the link to the performance examination will be emailed approximately 2 weeks after each monthly cut-off date. You will have 5 days to take the performance exam.

Note:  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. Alphanumeric sequences

Ability to:

1. Work under stress and maintain composure
2. Follow instructions precisely
3. Listen and translate what is heard into the appropriate action
4. Speak English over the telephone quickly and be easily understood
5. Adapt quickly to a variety of situations
6. Act in an emergency situation
7. Write rapidly and legibly
8. Perform several functions simultaneously
9. Hear in the presence of significant background noise
10. Read and comprehend at the level required for the job
11. Determine officer’s welfare from voice inflection
12. Establish priorities and take appropriate action
13. Extract critical information from incoming calls
14. Recall a variety of situations and retain information
15. Anticipate the officer’s need for assistance
16. Type
17. Operate and monitor a multitude of frequencies and a variety of highly technical communication systems and equipment

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR 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

  • Department of Parks & Recreation
  • Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety
  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Parks & Recreation
Selections Unit - Gladys Imperio-Acosta
Department of Parks and Recreation
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
Phone: (916) 902-8704
gladys.acosta@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)