It's 4:30 AM, Sunday morning and a cellular 9-1-1 call comes in from a seven-year-old girl. Her mother has left her in the car and has gone into a house with a man the little girl does not know. She's been out in the car alone since before midnight and is afraid something has happened to her mommy. Because the CHP does not receive address and telephone information from cellular 9-1-1 calls, what would you do?

This is what CO II, Cynthia James did. She knew that the child was in Alameda county. By talking to the child, reassuring her, and tryin many different tactics, Cynthia finally go the child to read the license plate on a trailer parked nearby. Records showed that the registered owner lived next door, and Cynthia was able to send officers to the location. As it turned out, the little girl's mother was under the influence of drugs and was unconscious.

NOTE: The mother was later charged with felony child endangerment.

Typical CO II Duties

• receiving, evaluating, and summarizing complaints prior to dispatching the information
• communicating with difficult callers
• receiving requests for service
• advising the public
• providing information to the public and other agencies
• monitoring and responding to radio and emergency systems
• keeping track of field units, complaints and incidents
• dispatching field units
• querying data bases
• record keeping
• maintaining resource materials
• testifying in courts
• performing office duties
• providing training

Communications Operator II, CHP

If you are interested in the position, and are considered responsible, reliable, emotionally stable, and willing to learn the job -- we need you!

(Previous dispatch experience may help, but is not required.)

Minimum Requirements for entry to the examination.

You must possess: either six months of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Communications Operator I, CHP; or one year in dispatching work involving the operation of radio communications equipment, or as an operator of a telephone switchboard or console; or three years of experience involving a substantial amount of direct public contact, including responsibility for performing numerous tasks simultaneously. (Equivalent to thirty semester units of college level courses may be substituted for one year of the required experience.)

Special requirements:
Type at not less than 40 words per minute (net). If you attain list eligibility and are interviewed for employment, you will be required too present an official typing certificate prior to being offered a job. You may also be required to verify your typing speed and accuracy at the work site.
Background: Because CO IIs have access to confidential computer data through the Department of Justice, Department of Motor Vehicles and other law enforcement information sources, a background investigation is required.
Drug screening is conducted during the hiring process.

• As a state agency, the CHP must follow the civil service code for hiring employees. All candidates must participate in competetive examinations to obtain a ranking on the hiring list.

The CO II is the vital communication link between officers in the field, the public, and needed services and resources.

Find out how to get an application.