Two Monterey County dispatcher vacancies to be filled by management positions

They’re the first voice you hear when you need emergency help. Two 911 dispatcher positions in Monterey County won’t be filled anytime soon.

The Monterey County Emergency Communications Center is proposing to reallocate the positions to fill two management positions. The two positions replace three other positions.

As it stands, dispatchers are already required to work dozens of hours of overtime in just one pay period.

The two communications dispatcher Level Two positions are currently vacant. The dispatchers are those who take the calls and go through special training to be qualified to be on a radio channel. The Monterey County Emergency Communications Center said because it doesn’t have anyone qualified to fill those spots right now, it is temporarily moving the money to fill management positions.

The more than 60 dispatchers at the center in Salinas work long hours every pay period just to meet minimum requirements.

“We’re very challenged staffing wise,” said Bill Harry, director. “We make mandatory overtime anywhere from 24 to 30 hours a pay period to achieve minimum staffing.”

Still, Harry wants the Monterey County Board of Supervisors to approve moving two vacant dispatcher positions into management positions.

“The sum of these positions was a net savings of about $25,000, but really what it accomplishes is it puts more emphasis on our training compability and it makes our management structure a little more streamlined,” he said.

Union representative Jay Donato said removing the positions hurts the safety of the community.

“Our workers are doing 32 hours of mandatory overtime every pay period. Sixty-four hours a month. If they miss a call, if they’re tired, if they’re exhausted, it impacts the community. We want our 911 calls to be answered correctly and efficiently,” he said.

Harry said there are people who want the jobs, but are currently going through training, so he said until they are qualified, he is reallocating those positions.

“It doesn’t make sense to take people off the floor when they’re already understaffed and they’re working overtime,” Donato said.

Harry promises after the reorganization is completed and the training is done, then the dispatcher positions will come back.

On Tuesday, this item was on the consent calendar for the Board of Supervisors, but it was pulled. Donato had some questions and concerns, so the topic is expected to be brought back. At this point, it is isn’t clear whether it will be back on consent or be brought before the public.