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Communications Officer (911 Dispatcher) Information
About the Douglas County Communications Center
Our dispatch center is responsible for 6 police agencies, and approximately 35 fire/medical agencies. Douglas County is the primary 9-1-1 answering point for all of Douglas County. The center is also responsible for answering non-emergency calls for the agencies we dispatch for.
Essential Duties:
- Professionally interact with County staff, the general public, and other agencies using courtesy, tact, and good judgment.
- Answer 9-1-1 calls for response to life-threatening emergencies and dispatch appropriate emergency service responders.
- Accurately enter and update calls for service and police daily activity into the system.
- Accurately access state and national computerized information for dissemination to emergency responders.
- Listen and paraphrase effectively, relay information clearly and distinctly in a well-modulated and pleasant voice.
- Assist public with requests for information and assistance.
- Work various shifts, weekends, and/or holidays.
Salary and Benefits:
- First 6 months of training is paid at $23.79 per hour. If progressing within standards, increase to $24.86 per hour after 6 months. Merit increases give annually thereafter at 5% per year. Current pay scale is $23.79 - $30.32 per hour.
- Intermediate Certification pay is 4% extra incentive
- Advanced Certification pay is 8% extra incentive
- Group insurance rates include: County paid Long Term Disability, Basic Life Insurance Coverage, Statutory Life Coverage (for eligible employees) and Accidental Death & Disability.
- Current DCLEA Insurance Rates found here: DCLEA Insurance Rates
- HRA VEBA accounts county contribution of $212 per month.
- PERS and optional deferred comp provided
What are the minimum qualifications?
- Must pass the pre-employment drug test
- Must pass the pre-employment background check. Please see Disqualifiers here: Disqualifiers
- Pass the required NTN testing. Please follow this link: National Testing Network
- Required passing scores are: Call taker 53, Notes 64, and Dispatch 43
- Must be able to work periodic overtime and a variety of rotating shifts including holidays and weekends.
- Pass a vision and hearing examination.
- Successful completion of the Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and Basic Telecommunicator courses provided by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office by the end probationary period. This will include a three-week basic telecommunicators course in Salem, as well as a three-day emergency medical dispatcher course in Salem.
- Graduation from high school or a G.E.D., and experience in performing high-activity call receiving work, communicating via telephone equipment, or dealing with emergency related requests from the public.