This is a Citywide Exam posting. Your application to this posting is an application to take a citywide exam. If you pass the exam, you will be emailed your score and ranking on the eligible candidate list. When the Airport has an open position with this job classification they will use this eligible list to hire for that position.
Learn more about the City's hiring process here: https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/
Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below:
Application Opening: December 11, 2025
Application Deadline: Apply immediately. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as this announcement may close at any time after 5:00 PM, December 26, 2025.
Compensation (https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/?classCode=9202)
Recruitment ID: CBT-9202-A00027
San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.
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 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifIUySwbSV0) - 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 (https://www.flysfo.com/vision-mission-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.
Under general supervision, the Airport Communications Dispatcher, during an assigned shift, receives incoming request calls for service, both emergency and non-emergency at San Francisco International Airport; dispatches crash/fire/rescue, airfield safety, police and other personnel regarding emergencies.
According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.
The essential functions of this position include:
Receives emergency and non-emergency calls and efficiently gathers, evaluates, prioritizes, and documents information from callers; properly classifies and prioritizes any report or complaint information and determines appropriate course of action.
Dispatches multiple emergency services and maintains the status of incidents and record of dispatched emergency service personnel and apparatus.
Receives and disseminates information from other law enforcement and emergency service computer networks related to jurisdictional requests for police, fire or medical service assistance, or to notices of wanted persons, stolen property, warrants and all points bulletins.
Operates Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system for operational/officer-safety-related needs.
Monitors alarm systems to ensure that proper action is taken for critical alarms received.
Operates data terminal equipment to ascertain if vehicles are stolen and to whom vehicle is registered.
May include additional duties as assigned.
Nature of Work
Dispatchers work under unpredictable periods of stress caused by the volume of calls and/or emergency conditions in the field involving the protection of life and property. Persons employed in this class must work shift assignments, which includes around-the-clock, weekend, and holiday work schedules. Employees are subject to changes in shift assignments. Due to the emergency nature of this work, mandatory overtime is required.
Education: Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D. or High School Proficiency Examination); AND
Experience: One (1) year of verifiable experience as a public safety (police/fire) dispatcher in a multi-frequency computerized dispatch/communications center.
Experience Substitution: Completion of a 12-month program equivalent to the City and County of San Francisco's Airport Communications Dispatcher Trainee Program may substitute for the one (1) year of required work experience.
Note: Candidates who are projected to complete the above Trainee Program within six (6) months of the filing deadline will be invited to take the examination but will not be eligible to be hired until they have successfully met the above Minimum Qualifications.
Candidates who successfully pass the examination for this recruitment and are within six (6) months of graduation from the City and County of San Francisco's Airport Communications Dispatcher Trainee Program will be placed on the eligible list under general waiver and will not be eligible to compete for positions until verification of graduation is received, reviewed and approved by the Airport Commission's Human Resources Analyst. Eligibles under general waiver are responsible for providing verification of successful completion of the Trainee Program. Once approved, the analyst will e-mail the candidate that their waiver has been removed and the candidate will be eligible to compete in future certifications for the remaining duration of the eligible list.
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.
Selection Procedures:
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:
Performance Examination: (Weight: Pass/Fail)
Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in a remote computer-based performance examination designed to measure aptitude for performing public safety communications dispatcher work, including, without limitation, the ability to prioritize and multitask effectively in a fast-paced, high-stress environment, recall facts, details and other information and ability to @type and operate a computer terminal at a speed of 50 words per minute (net). Please be prepared to take this remote exam during the week of January 5, 2026.
Eligible List/Score Report:
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.
The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be of 6 months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.
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 basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission.
Customs Clearance:
This position requires that the incumbent be qualified for unescorted access to the San Francisco International Airport U.S. Customs Security Area. An application for a U.S. Custom Access Seal may be submitted to Customs ONLY after employment has commenced. Employment in this position requires that the incumbent submit an application for, successfully acquire and maintain a Customs Access Seal. Per Civil Service Commission Rule 110.9.1, every applicant must possess and maintain the qualifications required by law and by the examination announcement for this examination. Failure to acquire or maintain customs access, a requirement for this position, may be basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission. Customs Access Seal requirements and procedures are located in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 19, Part 122, Sections 181 or 189.
Medical Examination:
Prior to appointment, candidates must successfully pass a medical examination to determine their 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.
Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. [Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/.]
The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement. Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at https://sf.gov/departments/civil-service-commission.
Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
Information About the Hiring Process (https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/)
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview (https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview)
Equal Employment Opportunity (https://sfdhr.org/equal-employment-opportunity)
Disaster Service Worker
ADA Accommodation (https://careers.sf.gov/accommodations/)
Veterans Preference
Right to Work (https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/#:~:text=Identification/Right%20to%20Work)
Copies of Application Documents
Diversity Statement (https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/#:~:text=Learn%20more-,Diversity%20Statement,-The%20City%20and)
Where 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 (https://www.sf.gov/city-career-center) , 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 Lilimae Santander at Lilimae.Santander@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.
