San Mateo County seeks dispatchers; county highlights training and an at‑home test

San Mateo County officials encouraged residents to apply for 911 telecommunicator positions, describing a recruitment process that includes a monitored at‑home multitasking test and on-the-job training.

"Go to our San Mateo County jobs website and look for the 911 telecommunicator dispatch job," Natasha Claire Espino said on the Open Mic episode, explaining that applicants take a remote, monitored test that simulates the multitasking demands of dispatching (hearing, talking, typing and reading simultaneously).

Espino said the county trains new hires in the academy and that prior degrees are not required. She described characteristics the county looks for — the ability to remain calm, multitask and handle stress — and said dispatching is a career with strong benefits and professional satisfaction.

County Executive Mike Caligi said on the episode that pay and benefits are "terrific" and mentioned on-air a starting figure ("start around a $100,000"). That compensation figure was stated by the host during the recorded conversation and was not independently specified or confirmed by Espino on the episode. Exact starting salaries and benefit packages should be confirmed via San Mateo County human resources or the official job posting.

Espino reiterated that the application process is accessible and that training is provided: "We will train you," she said, encouraging listeners seeking a career change to consider the telecommunicator role.

Next steps: prospective applicants were directed to the county jobs website to apply and take the online test; no timeline for application windows was provided on the episode.