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Sacramento County Sheriff's Department Hiring 18 New Dispatchers

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – The Sacramento Sheriff's Department is looking to add more than a dozen dispatchers.

If you can deal with a lot of stress and think on your feet -- or sitting down -- then this opportunity could be a good fit for you.

"What's the owner's name you're having the argument with?" said Sacramento County Dispatcher Jessica Blankenship, as she answered a call.

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Blankenship, a stay-at-home mom for four years, decided to jump back into the workforce about two years ago. She says she needed a new challenge.

"You kind of get used to it, so it doesn't become as anxiety driven as it does when you get that first one," said Blankenship.

She is one of the 56 dispatchers working around the clock. The sheriff's department moved into a newer, bigger facility in August and have a few new chairs to fill; the department is ready to hire 18 new dispatchers.

The pay and benefits package is not bad. Dispatchers make between $51,000-$76,000 a year.

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Blankenship said they're looking for self-starting and low-maintenance people.

"Critical thinking is what I'm looking for. Being able to handle something without someone standing over you holding your hand," said Blankenship.

This is not a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. job; life and death emergencies are 24/7.

"You are going to work weekends, you're going to work holidays. You're going to work nights. You're going to work early and be open to that and be there when you're needed," she said.

Click here to learn more about the job openings.

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