Dispatcher Trainee (9910) – Safety, Security & Airside Services – SFO – TEX

Career Opportunity

Dispatcher Trainee (9910) – Safety, Security & Airside Services – SFO – TEX

Recruitment: RTF0160797-01136628

Published: February 11, 2026

Contact:

Corinne Young - Corinne.Young@flysfo.com

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

Department: San Francisco International Airport
Job class: 9910-Public Service Trainee
Role type: Temporary Exempt What does this mean?
Hours: Full-time

About:

Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below:

Application Opening: February 9, 2026
Application Deadline: February 23, 2026, at 5:00pm (Pacific Standard Time)
Compensation: $35.00/hour
Appointment Type: Temporary Exempt (TEX) appointment not to exceed twelve (12) months. This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer.
Recruitment ID: RTF0160797-01136628

Company Description

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a world-class, award-winning airport that served more than 54 million guests in Fiscal Year 2025. SFO offers non-stop flights to 60+ international cities on over 40 international carriers. The Bay Area’s largest airport also connects non-stop with 80+ U.S. cities on 10 domestic airlines.

As an enterprise department of the City & County of San Francisco, SFO has a workforce of approximately 1,900 City employees. In Fiscal Year 2021, SFO generated more than 28,000 direct jobs and $6.1B in business activity.

SFO is more than an airport— we are a dynamic organization where employees collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to support global travel, economic development, and public service. We are recognized as a leader in safety, environmental sustainability, and forward-thinking infrastructure, and continue to be at the forefront of transforming the travel experience.

Our Vision, Mission, and Core Values shape our culture and operations as we continue to build a supportive, purpose-driven workplace where all employees can thrive. Our mission is to deliver an airport experience where people and our planet come first.

Learn more about careers at SFO at flysfo.com, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Bluesky and Threads.

Role description

Purpose of the Program

The Airport Communications Dispatcher Trainee Program provides training to appointees in order to prepare them for an opportunity to be eligible for an appointment to Class 9202 Airport Communications Dispatcher.

The essential functions of the position include:

The nature of the trainee position involves working under unpredictable periods of pressure and in emergency situations. Trainees will be trained on how to: (a) complete and maintain event records and logs via CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch); and (b) dispatch and coordinate Police and Traffic Control units, Crash/Fire/Recuse, Airfield, maintenance, security, fire, medical and safety operations at the Airport. Trainees will be trained as primary call takers for the Airport’s Emergency 911 Public Safety system. Trainees will also be trained to operate a centralized paging and public address system.

Nature of Work

Dispatchers routinely work under stressful conditions in a fast-paced environment due to the nature of emergency and non-emergency calls and must be able to multi-task and prioritize. Dispatchers sit for long periods of time, type for prolonged periods on a computer keyboard, and utilize multi-screen computer systems, keyboard, mouse, two-way radios, telephone systems, headset, computer touch screens, and foot pedals.

Working Hours

40 hours per week. Persons employed in this class must work shift assignments including around-the-clock, weekend, and holiday work schedules. Shift assignments are subject to changes.

Check out more videos about SFO's Communications Center.

How to qualify

Education: Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D. or High School Proficiency Examination) AND
Experience: One (1) year (2000 hours) experience in a public contact position providing and/or soliciting information or providing a service.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

One-year full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above 40 hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

Desirable Qualifications:

Completed POST-Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery with a passing T-score of 51 or better (within the last 12 months).
6 months of dispatcher experience (i.e., 311, ambulance, security company).
6 months of heavy telephone traffic experience (PBX operator/customer service call center, multi-line phone systems).
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent customer service and an ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.

Verification

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/. All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATON

Selection Procedures

The selection process will include an evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited to participate in the oral/performance interview.

CritiCall Performance Examination

The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the performance examination designed to measure aptitude for performing public safety communications dispatcher work, including without limitation, and ability to prioritize and multi-task effectively in a fast-paced, high-stress environment, and recall facts, details, and other information and ability to type and operate a computer terminal at a speed of 50 words per minute (net). Candidates must achieve a passing score on the CritiCall Test to continue in the selection process.

Oral Performance

The most qualified candidates who closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited to participate in the interview selection process.

Background Investigation

Positions with the San Francisco Airport Commission that require security clearance prior to employment may be required to have a thorough background investigation to determine the candidate’s suitability for employment. The investigation includes a search into records held by the criminal justice system, credit reporting agencies, and the Dept. of Motor Vehicles, as well as contact with references, employers, and others who have knowledge of the candidate. Reasons for rejection based on this investigation may include, but not be limited to applicable convictions, repeated or serious violations of the law, use of controlled substances and alcohol, inability to work well with co-workers, inability to accept supervision, inability to follow rules and regulations, falsification of application materials, and/or other relevant factors. Candidates may be required to undergo drug/alcohol screening and must clear Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprinting. The background investigation will also meet Transportation Security Administration requirements (TSA Section 1542.209). Per Civil Service Commission Rule Section 110.9.1, every applicant for an examination must possess and maintain the qualifications required by law and by the examination announcement for the examination. Failure to obtain and maintain security clearance may be basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission.

Note: Candidates will be prompted to submit a completed Personal History Statement (PHS), Authorization to Release Information/Waiver form and additional documents prior to the initiation of the Background Investigation. Once prompted candidates will have approximately 2 weeks to submit all the required documentation.

Psychological Evaluation

A psychological examination is required prior to the appointment. The examination will consist of written tests and a clinical interview to determine the candidate’s fitness for emergency communications dispatch work.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Clearance

Candidates for employment with the San Francisco Airport Commission are required to undergo a criminal history record check, including FBI fingerprints, and Security Threat Assessment in order to determine eligibility for security clearance and may be required to undergo drug/alcohol screening. Per Civil Service Commission Rule Section 110.9.1, every applicant for an examination must possess and maintain the qualifications required by law and by the examination announcement for the examination. Failure to obtain and maintain security clearance may be a basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission.

Medical Examination

Prior to appointment, candidates must successfully pass a medical examination to determine his/her ability to perform the essential functions of the job and/or the ability to meet the physical minimum requirements.

Additional Background Check

As part of the selection process for this position in the Communications Center, an image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction (or arrest, in limited circumstances) conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the position to which you are applying. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with the City.

What else should I know?

HOW TO APPLY

All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process.

Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.

Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@smartrecruiters.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Recruitment Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact exam analyst Corinne Young at Corinne.Young@flysfo.com.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.