Police Dispatcher-Lateral

WCCCA-Washington County 911•Or 97124, OR

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About The Position

WCCCA provides 9-1-1 emergency communications for more than 15 police and fire agencies serving Washington County and provides fire service into Clackamas, Yamhill, and Multnomah Counties. A Police Dispatcher operates complex communications equipment, including radios, multi-line telephone systems, and computer-aided dispatch (CAD), to receive, process, and dispatch emergency and non-emergency calls for service. The position also performs call-taking functions and serves as a Police Dispatcher. This is an essential personnel position; employees are expected to report to work on time during extreme weather conditions. The position is non-exempt and represented by a Collective Bargaining Association (CBA). The position receives direction and supervision from the Operations Supervisor and does not supervise others. The role requires working shifts spanning a 24-hour period, including day, swing, and graveyard shifts, weekends, and holidays. Unscheduled and/or mandatory overtime may be required. Applicants for lateral consideration must have at least three years of continuous emergency communications dispatcher experience with a primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) within the three years before applying, and must possess a DPSST Basic Telecommunicator certification from Oregon or an equivalent certification from another state. The selection process may include aptitude and suitability assessments, phone and in-person interviews, and a dispatcher sit-along. Candidates receiving a conditional offer must pass a background investigation, medical examination and drug screen, and psychological evaluation. The hiring process may take several months after the posting closes.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Typing speed of at least 45 words per minute, net.
At least three years of continuous experience as an emergency communications dispatcher with a primary PSAP within the three years before the application date.
DPSST Basic Telecommunicator certification through Oregon or an equivalent certification from another state for lateral consideration.
No disqualifying criminal history.
Ability to communicate effectively in English by telephone with people from varied educational, ethnic, and social or cultural backgrounds.
Ability to prioritize complex incidents based on situational variables and established policy, and quickly decide on an appropriate course of action.
Ability to write clearly, accurately, concisely, and legibly.
Ability to type complex alphanumeric data with speed of at least 45 words per minute and high accuracy.
Ability to understand radio transmissions, multitask, and retain information over long periods.
Ability to read, interpret, and apply agency guidelines, administrative directives, and user-agency protocols, including those that may change frequently.
Ability to read and comprehend complex technical, legal, and medical material; adjust to changing workloads; meet ethical and legal standards for required certifications; and participate in mandatory training.
Knowledge of, or ability to learn, CAD functions and commands, radio systems, telephone operation, LEDS formats, common police, fire, and medical terminology, and basic office machinery.
Ability to work day, swing, and graveyard shifts, including weekends and holidays, and unscheduled and/or mandatory overtime as required.
Must meet Oregon physical standards, including visual acuity, hearing, speaking, and basic physical health sufficient to perform dispatcher duties for extended periods.

Responsibilities

Receive and rapidly triage emergency and non-emergency calls using telephone, mapping, and CAD equipment.
Prioritize simultaneous phone calls, radio transmissions, and related operational work in a dynamic environment.
Listen to and comprehend calls and field-unit radio transmissions, evaluate information, and determine appropriate actions promptly.
Maintain accurate event records, written logs, and reports that may be used in legal proceedings.
Use a telephone, computer, and radio simultaneously and monitor multiple computer screens.
Rapidly enter, read, write, and interpret information obtained through computer systems and verbal conversations.
Monitor the status of public safety field units and assign emergency and non-emergency service requests to appropriate units using CAD and radio systems.
Maintain a positive customer-service attitude with citizens, users, coworkers, and management, including under pressure and time constraints.
Work shifts spanning a 24-hour period, including weekends and holidays, and work unscheduled and/or mandatory overtime as required.
Report to work reliably and consistently, including during extreme weather conditions as essential personnel.
Complete and maintain required certifications, including LEDS, emergency medical dispatching, and Oregon Basic Telecommunicator certification.
Participate in mandatory training.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, representatives of other agencies, and the public.