About the role
***OPEN UNTIL FILLED***
Are you an experienced dispatcher or someone with the calm under pressure, multitasking instinct, and communication skills it takes to become one ready to bring that work to one of California's largest fire and emergency response agencies?
As a Fire/EMS Dispatcher with CAL FIRE's Emergency Command Center, you'll step into the chair that keeps fire engines, medic units, dozers, aircraft, and chief officers connected to the people who need them. This position is built for someone who can hold the line in high-pressure moments, run multiple radio channels and incidents at once, and serve as the calm, clear voice on the other end of the most important phone calls of someone's day.
This role is ideal for an experienced dispatcher coming from city or county fire, EMS, or police communications or for a sharp candidate ready to take on a structured training pipeline at the state level. You'll handle 911 calls, dispatch resources to fires and medical incidents, manage radio traffic across units in the field, coordinate mutual aid, and support large-scale incidents during peak fire activity. Strong listening, clean radio discipline, accurate documentation, and the ability to switch between calls without losing focus are the core of the work.
This position is located in Sacramento, California and is a permanent, full-time role with multiple openings. The role includes shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays, in a 24/7 communications center.
This isn't just a dispatch job. It's a chance to bring your headset experience into one of the busiest emergency communication operations in the state, with state benefits, retirement, and the kind of mission that makes the hard shifts worth it.
Why CAL FIRE?
- State benefits including health, dental, vision, and retirement
- Permanent, full-time career opportunity
- Structured training pipeline for both experienced and entry-level candidates
- 24/7 communications center with real shift structure and predictable schedules
- Mission driven team culture focused on service, readiness, and the units in the field
About Sacramento County
Sacramento County offers a strong mix of urban convenience, government employment density, and proximity to some of California's best outdoor escapes. As the state capital, Sacramento is the operational hub for much of California's public sector work, including CAL FIRE's headquarters and statewide communications operations.
With a lower cost of living than the Bay Area or Southern California, easy access to Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevada, the Northern California coast, and the wine regions of Napa and Sonoma, Sacramento County is a strong fit for dispatchers who want senior-level work, real benefits, and a quality of life that isn't dominated by commute time.
Popular cities and communities include:
- Sacramento
- Folsom
- Elk Grove
- Roseville (Placer County, adjacent)
- Davis (Yolo County, adjacent)
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Questions, answered
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Yes. This role at California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) was screened before publishing – we confirmed the employer before listing it.
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