Communications Dispatcher

Job Opening

Keeping the peace with dignity, honesty and compassion. Linn County, located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, is surrounded by beautiful landscape year round and is just a short drive away from the mountains, beaches and waters of Oregon. If you enjoy the great outdoors and four seasons of change, this is the place for you! The Linn County Sheriff's Office offers meaningful work, unique professional challenges, endless learning opportunities, and excellent benefits! Join our team of professionals that make a difference in the lives of others. Please read the entire job announcement prior to submitting your application. You could be disqualified from consideration if you do not follow the instructions given. Once your application is received and screened for acceptance, applicants will receive an invitation to take the CritiCall battery of exams online. Advancement to the next phase of the application process for this recruitment is contingent on successfully passing these tests. Upon completion of the CritiCall exams, scores are automatically forwarded to the Linn County Sheriff's Office. CritiCall scores from another agency's testing process will not be accepted.

Job Classification Specifications

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES/JOB OBJECTIVES: Successful applicants hired under this recruitment will be responsible for performing fast, efficient and accurate receiving and dispatching of calls and messages from and to public safety units and personnel in the field. Duties involve the operation of complex communications equipment including microprocessor controlled radio and telephone control consoles and computer terminals to dispatch emergency public safety units as requested or necessary.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: A person employed in this classification must possess the capability to perform the following duties to be considered for this position. The duties are essential functions requiring the critical skills and expertise needed to meet job objectives. Additional specific details of these essential functions may be provided by the specific office or department job announcement, if applicable.

• Operate radio and telephone control consoles in dispatching public safety resources and routing of other emergency calls to the appropriate agencies.
• Receive emergency call information; dispatch call to appropriate units or departments; maintain information on units activities; access computer terminals to obtain, transmit and record information such as vehicle license numbers, drivers information, warrants and stolen vehicle information; enter record information via computer terminal; maintain status of equipment to maintain control and record the activity of the dispatched units.
• Relay and receive information from other public safety organizations; notify other service agencies such as road maintenance, public works, signal and light maintenance and animal control.
• Facilitate coordination of Communications Center services; provide and receive information on emergencies dispatched to and from co-workers.
• Maintain accurate record of information and calls received or dispatched. Enter information into computer terminal as required.
• Report to Communications Supervisor or Communications Manager the need for radio, telephone or equipment repairs.
• Study and maintain familiarity with major roads, streets, industrial plants, public buildings and the general geographic locations of cities, towns and landmarks of Linn County.
• Maintain record of time and nature of unusual or significant events, and other pertinent information facilitating efficient communication dispatching.
• Develop and maintain effective, harmonious and reasonable work relationships with others.
• Maintain regular and predictable work attendance.
• Other duties as assigned.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

The classification covers the most significant essential functions performed by an employee in this position but it does not include other occasional work which may be similar to, related to or a logical assignment of this position. Any one position in this classification may be assigned some or all of the duties listed under essential functions or that arise as other functions. The balance of the various duties, responsibilities and/or assignments of this position may change from time to time based upon management's decisions on how to best allocate resources. Any shift, emphasis or rebalancing does not constitute a change in the essential functions of the job classification.

Job Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY: Knowledge of techniques, procedures and methods used in the operation of a Public Safety Communications Center and the dispatching process, including two-way radio, computer terminal and multi-line telecommunications equipment commonly used in public safety dispatching. Knowledge of the terminology and procedures used by police, fire, ambulance and other emergency services in communications dispatching. Knowledge of the function of other public service agencies and community agencies available in the area of emergency services. Ability to make prompt and appropriate decisions based on available information. Ability to dispatch public safety equipment in a quick and efficient manner. Ability to relay information exactly as received. Ability to react quickly, efficiently and calmly in an emergency situation and to adopt an effective course of action. Ability to speak clearly and distinctly in a well modulated and pleasant voice. Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instruction. Ability to deal tactfully with the general public, co-workers and others with whom they come into contact in the performance of duties.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION and TRAINING: Graduation from a senior high school or possession of the equivalent GED Certificate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is generally performed indoors in an office and is essentially sedentary in nature. Work requirements include the ability to see, talk and hear; sit for long periods of time, use hands to finger, handle or operate objects or controls, reach with hands and arms and lift or move thirty (30) pounds.

Hiring Process Details

Must meet the following Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) requirements:

• United States Citizen within one year of employment
• At least 18 years of age at the time of employment
• Declared by a physician as able to perform the physical duties required by the occupation
• Of good moral fitness, without legal conduct involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, and conviction of drug and/or sex crimes.
• Must successfully complete all required training standards established by the Linn County Sheriff's Office and/or DPSST within one year of hire.

Tentative Hiring Process :

1. Review of NEOGOV application
2. Review of CritiCall Testing scores
3. Captain's Interview - Informal 10-15 minute face-to-face interview for eligible and invited applicants (possibly followed by a short job tour).
4. Oral Board Interview - Formal oral board face-to-face interview for eligible and invited applicants.
5. Conditional offer of employment extended to selected top candidates only.
6. Complete and submit the Statement of Personal History
7. Pre-employment background investigation
8. Psychological Evaluation, Medical and Sheriff's Interview
9. Final Job Offer

Necessary Special Qualifications:

Age : 18

US Citizen : Yes

High School Grad/GED : Yes

Valid OREGON State Driver's License : Yes

Ability to Read/Speak English : Yes

Vision : Department of Public Safety Standards and Training requirement of at least 20/30 corrected.

Necessary Certifications : Be able to be certified as a Telecommunicator and Emergency Medical Dispatcher by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training - DPSST. Minimum Standards of Employment as a Telecommunicator and Emergency Medical Dispatcher are located at (Administrative Rule 259-008-0011 and OAR 104-060). Be willing to work weekends, holidays, varying and rotating shifts and extra hours.

Felony, Criminal Activity Disqualifiers :

• Felony convictions
• Misdemeanor convictions for:
  • Domestic violence (DV);
  • Currently named as the Respondent in a Restraining Order;
  • Crime of dishonesty; and/or,
  • Crime that resulted in serious physical injury to another.
• Illegal manufacture, transport, or sale of a controlled substance.
• Any repeated convictions of an offense, which indicate disrespect for the law, a lack of good moral character or disposition towards violence and disorder.
• Discharge from employment, where such discharge indicates poor behavior and/or an inability adjusting to discipline.
• A Dishonorable Discharge from the armed forces.
• Persons convicted of a petty larceny.