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 
  1. 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.