Company: City of Astoria
Job description: Full Benefits: Health Insurance (90% City-paid) including Medical, Vision, Dental; City-paid HRA Contribution, City/Employee paid PERS Retirement, City-paid Basic Life, LTD and AD&D; Vacation, Personal and Sick Leave Accruals; Holiday Pay; Astoria Aquatic Center employee pass
DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Astoria Dispatch answers roughly 80,000 calls a year, of which approximately 13,000 are 9-1-1. From these calls Astoria Dispatch creates approximately 45,000 calls for service for police, fire and public works agencies in the Computer Aided Dispatching (CAD) system. Another 10,000 calls are received for service by other agencies such as Oregon State Police and the Coast Guard who do not subscribe to Astoria Dispatch.
Astoria Dispatch is one of two Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP's) in Clatsop County. The second PSAP is located in the City of Seaside within the Seaside Police Department. Clatsop County has a land area of 827 sq. miles with a water area of 257 sq. miles. The full-time resident population in the County is 36,798 (59% urban, 41% rural). Though the full-time resident population seems low, year-round tourism can bring the population total to over 100,000.
POSITION SUMMARY
Communications Operators, also referred to as "dispatchers", are often the first trained point of contact in an emergency. They begin the important work of obtaining essential information, remaining calm, calming others, and sending the appropriate responders to the right location. They may also provide instructions to the 911 caller, which in many cases is essential to stabilizing or saving a life. Dispatchers are responsible for performing quick, efficient, and accurate dispatching of calls and messages with public safety units and personnel in the field.
During the typical 6-8 month training period, trainees will work alongside different trainers during each training phase and work varying shifts in accordance with their trainer's assigned shift. In addition to hands-on work with a trainer, trainees will be required to attend 3 weeks of training in Salem at the Department of Public Safety Standards Training (DPSST) academy plus a 3 day Emergency Medical Dispatch certification course. There is a one year probationary period.
SCHEDULE
This is full-time shift work in a dispatch center which operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Everyone can expect to rotate through a variety of shifts including days, swing, nights, holidays and weekends with proper notice. Individuals with limited availability or who are unable to work a variety of shifts may not be well suited for this position.
PAY OPPORTUNITIES
In addition to the base pay range, a number of incentives are available to be added cumulatively to a dispatcher's pay.
- Voluntary semi-annual bonus for qualified physical fitness tests
- Intermediate and Advanced Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) certificates pay premiums (3.5% each added to base pay)
- Communications Training Officer assignment and pay premium (6% added to base pay for training hours)
- Lead Dispatcher assignment and pay premium (10% added to base pay)
- Senior Communications Operator pay premium (5% added to base pay)
- Bilingual Language pay premium (5% added to base pay after testing)
- Stability Pay (2% added to base pay after 10 years)
- Receives incoming emergency and non-emergency telephone calls. Emergency can be complex and require the call receiver to use appropriate de-escalation and interviewing skills to gather necessary information before dispatching appropriate resources such as law enforcement, fire or ambulance.
- Monitors radio frequencies for all assigned jurisdictions and maintains two-way communications; keeps shift Sergeant and other supervisors informed of emergency situations and overall activity.
- Operates Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) Computer terminal and responds to fields requests for information on persons and property; calls up wants and warrants, checks vehicle registration and driver's license data and obtains criminal history summaries and reports of stolen vehicles and items.
- Enters appropriate call/complaint information into Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) records; maintains other departmental logs, forms, indexes and files related to the dispatch function.
- Monitors security cameras and fire alarms as well as Public Works Department telemetry system (water/sewer equipment) and notifies designated person(s) in the event of signal or malfunction.
- Answers general information questions from the public.
- Monitors teletype messages and prepares summary of activity during shift.
- Issues case numbers and performs routine clerical work.
- Maintains punctual, regular and predictable attendance.
- Works collaboratively in a team environment with a spirit of cooperation.
- Displays excellent communication skills including presentation, persuasion, and negotiation skills required in working with coworkers/public and including the ability to communicate effectively and remain calm and courteous under pressure.
- Respectfully takes direction from Emergency Communications Manager, Operations Supervisor and Lead Dispatcher.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Excellent communication skills to listen, speak and direct during operation of two-way radio and multiple phone lines and within the dispatch center.
- Advanced technological skills to accurately and efficiently use computers, software, radios and other equipment in managing calls and entering data.
- Well established decision making and multitasking skills to handle receiving many calls, often at the same time while prioritizing by importance. Ability to calmly respond to each one and keep organized records of details, locations and needs
- Ability to stay composed and manage emotions and stress during calls, shifts and over time.
- Highly adaptable as a dispatcher's daily duties are always changing. They should be flexible and able to adapt to any situation. Dispatchers might experience periods of little call activity followed by high call levels and need to adjust quickly. They also need to be willing to learn and comfortable adapting to technological changes as CAD programs, telephone systems and other computer databases receive updates.
Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of employee or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. * Two years of general clerical, technical or administrative experience preferably in an emergency service; or any equivalent combination of experience and training that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the above described duties.
- Possession of a valid Basic Certificate in Telecommunications and Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) in the State of Oregon, or ability to obtain certification within one year with adequate provided training.
- Ability to pass a City-required background investigation which includes a Records Check, Psychological, Medical & Hearing Exams, and Drug Screen.
- Proficiency in a second language.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
This position is represented by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
HIRING AND SELECTION PROCESS
Due to the sensitive nature of this career, this thorough and important process can take longer than a typical hiring process. Candidates must submit application materials, complete written testing and satisfy each step listed below in order to continue in the process.
APPLICATION PERIOD
Submit your application, cover letter, resume and any supporting documents
WRITTEN TESTING
Written testing is a pre-employment requirement offered through the National Testing Network and can be completed in-person at an NTN testing center or online. Schedule your in-person or virtual Emergency Communications (ECOMM) exam at
CANDIDATES WHO COMPLETE WRITTEN TESTING BY 10/13/2023 WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY FOR INTERVIEW SPOTS.
ORAL BOARD INTERVIEWS
CONTINGENT OFFER LETTER + BACKGROUND CHECK
Includes: Records Check (Criminal, Civil, Sex Offender, Motor Vehicle, Credit & Education Verification), Investigation, Psychological, Medical & Hearing Exams, Drug Screen
Duration: Typically, 6 to 12 weeks
CHIEF'S INTERVIEW AND FINAL OFFER
Following background check completion
Please feel free to contact Human Resources at with any questions.
City of Astoria
Expected salary:
Location: Astoria, OR Apply Now