Communications Dispatcher - LATERAL ONLY

Linn County Sheriff's Office • Albany, OR

15h • Onsite

About The Position

Linn County Sheriff's Office is hiring experienced lateral Communications Dispatchers to receive and dispatch calls and messages between the public and public safety units. The role involves operating radio and telephone control consoles, computer terminals, and other communications equipment to dispatch emergency resources and support accurate, efficient coordination of public safety services. Lateral applicants must be in good standing with their current or most recent employer as a certified Telecommunications Dispatcher, 911 Call Taker/Dispatcher, or Public Safety Dispatcher for a recognized state, county, city, or municipal entity. Applicants must be currently certified or eligible for Oregon Telecommunications Dispatcher certification, with or without attending the Basic Telecommunications Academy. Out-of-state lateral hires must attend the three-week academy at DPSST in Salem, Oregon. Starting salary is negotiable based on step, experience, and years of current certified dispatching work. The position includes a condensed Field Training Program for lateral hires.

Work is generally performed indoors in an office and is sedentary in nature, with extended sitting and use of communications equipment and computers. Employees work rotating, split, or other alternative shifts and may be subject to call back. Weekend, holiday, varying-shift, and extra-hour availability is required. Applicants must meet applicable county and Oregon DPSST certification and background standards, complete required training within one year of hire, and pass pre-employment background, psychological, medical, and drug screening processes.

Requirements

• Lateral applicants must have experience as a certified Telecommunications Dispatcher, 911 Call Taker/Dispatcher, or Public Safety Dispatcher for a recognized state, county, city, or municipal entity, and be in good standing with their current or most recent employer.
• Be currently certified or eligible to be certified as a Telecommunications Dispatcher in Oregon; DPSST determines whether out-of-state certification qualifies for lateral transfer.
• Out-of-state lateral hires must attend the three-week Basic Telecommunications Academy at DPSST in Salem, Oregon.
• Graduate from senior high school or possess an equivalent GED certificate.
• Meet Oregon DPSST training standards and complete all required Linn County Sheriff's Office and/or DPSST training within one year of hire.
• Possess a current driver's license in the applicant's state of residence and an acceptable driving history; be a competent and licensed vehicle operator in Oregon.
• Have knowledge of public safety communications center techniques and procedures, dispatching processes, two-way radios, computer terminals, and multi-line telecommunications equipment.
• Know terminology and procedures used by police, fire, ambulance, and other emergency services, and the functions of local emergency and community service agencies.
• Be able to make prompt, appropriate decisions; dispatch efficiently; relay information accurately; and react quickly, calmly, and effectively in emergencies.
• Speak clearly and distinctly in a well-modulated, pleasant voice; understand and follow verbal and written instructions; and deal tactfully with the public, co-workers, and others.
• Have knowledge and experience using a keyboard, mouse, and PC equipment.
• Meet age and moral-fitness standards, pass a thorough background investigation, and satisfy applicable criminal-history and conduct disqualifiers.
• Pass the Sheriff's Office written and oral interview processes and required pre-employment psychological, medical, and drug evaluations; finalists may also undergo an integrity interview.
• Meet the stated vision standard of 20/30 corrected and be declared by a physician able to perform the physical duties required by the occupation.
• Be willing to work weekends, holidays, varying or rotating shifts, alternative schedules, and extra hours; positions may be subject to call back.
• Be able to see, talk, and hear; sit for long periods; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects or controls; reach with hands and arms; and lift or move 30 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in Spanish, Russian, and/or American Sign Language may qualify employees for additional bilingual pay when those skills are used on duty and the employee passes Linn County's standardized language fluency test; payment is at the Sheriff's discretion.

Responsibilities

• Operate radio and telephone control consoles to dispatch public safety resources and route emergency calls to appropriate agencies.
• Receive emergency call information and dispatch it to appropriate units or departments.
• Track unit activity and status, and maintain control and records of dispatched units.
• Use computer terminals to obtain, transmit, record, and enter information, including vehicle, driver, warrant, and stolen-vehicle information.
• Relay and receive information from other public safety organizations and notify service agencies such as road maintenance, public works, signal and light maintenance, and animal control.
• Coordinate Communications Center services and exchange information about emergencies with co-workers.
• Maintain accurate records of received and dispatched calls and significant or unusual events.
• Report the need for radio, telephone, or equipment repairs to the Communications Supervisor or Communications Manager.
• Maintain familiarity with Linn County roads, streets, facilities, cities, towns, and landmarks.
• Develop and maintain effective, harmonious, and reasonable work relationships.
• Maintain regular and predictable work attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Linn County monthly contribution of 2% of base wages to an HRA/VEBA account
• County pickup of the employee PERS contribution
• Additional county contribution of 3% to a Deferred Compensation plan of the employee's choosing
• Certification and education pay incentives
• Negotiable starting salary based on experience and years of current certified dispatching work

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED