Job Information
Deschutes County 9-1-1 Call Taker in Bend, Oregon
9-1-1 Call Taker
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9-1-1 Call Taker
Salary
$25.44 - $39.21 Hourly
Location
Bend, OR
Job Type
Regular, full time, full benefits
Job Number
2024-00005
Department
9-1-1 Service District
Opening Date
01/17/2024
Closing Date
6/27/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit
9-1-1
Description
Benefits
Questions
Summary
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
Our mission is to provide prompt assistance in a caring, resourceful and professional manner to those we serve. The Deschutes County 9-1-1 Service District became a consolidated public safety dispatching agency in 1988, taking all calls for police, fire, and medical service assistance in Deschutes County. The District dispatches for 15 police and fire/emergency medical services (EMS) agencies and works closely with the U.S. Forest Service, AirLink, Life Flight, Oregon State Police, and other State and Federal entities.
Are you interested in joining a talented team and serving your community? If so, we invite you to review additional information by clicking HERE. (https://www.deschutes.org/911/page/were-hiring)
ABOUT THE COUNTY:
We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,100 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.
Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.
ABOUT THE JOB:
The 9-1-1 Call Taker is the first person that talks to a person in an emergency. They are the critical decision maker in properly assessing the situation, interviewing the caller and getting the information entered into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to be dispatched out to police, fire or medical.
The 9-1-1 Call Taker provides computer-aided emergency and non-emergency dispatch services for all local law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services agencies within Deschutes County. Dispatchers operate complex communications equipment, multi-line telephone systems and computer terminals to access and input information. This position requires the ability to maintain accuracy and speed while performing job duties, often under stressful situations.
Key Responsibilities:
Receives and processes incoming telephone calls, and texts, often during high-call volume periods, from people requesting emergency and non-emergency police, fire, and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) assistance in a courteous, accurate, efficient, and timely manner.
Enters information into a computer aided dispatch system in an accurate and timely manner.
Makes effective, immediate decisions regarding life-threatening situations based on highly complex rules, regulations, and procedures.
What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:
Strong emotional intelligence with a history of honest and ethical decision-making.
Interpersonal skills to discern callers' situations and assure an accurate, appropriate, and timely response by responders.
A minimum basic knowledge of geography or the ability to learn geography in a timely manner.
Excellent listening skills and the ability to communicate clearly.
Ability to adapt and communicate effectively with diverse public.
Ability to manage your time and assignments.
Skill in:
Thinking quickly and independently in emergency situations that require multiple decisions for action.
Coordinating computer systems to access and enhance information provided to responders.
Operation of multiple and complex telephone, radio, and computer equipment/systems.
*This posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but rather constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function.
Notification to all candidates will be sent viaemail and/or text only. Please opt in for text messaging or check your email and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status.
Review the full job description by clickingHERE. (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/deschutes/classspecs)
Compensation
The starting hourly rate is $25.4433. Salary range during initial training is $4,410.09 to $5,628.44 per month for a 173.33 hour work month.
Hourly rate is increased to $29.4536 upon completion of police dispatch training (about 6-12 months, Public Safety Dispatcher I); and $30.9263 upon completion of fire dispatch training (which usually occurs within the first two years of employment, Public Safety Dispatcher II). Dispatchers may also earn up to an additional 6% of their base salary when they obtain their intermediate certification and 11% of their base salary when they obtain their advanced certification through DPSST.At the top step with possession of an advanced certification, a Public Safety Dispatcher II can expect to earn over $95,000.00 per year.
For those currently possessing DPSST Certification as a Telecommunicator, certificate pay begins upon hire date and will receive an additional:
6% - for Intermediate certification.
11% - for Advanced certification.
Out of State Certified applicants will receive certification pay as soon as certification is granted by DPSST.
Lateral certified applicants with 36 months or more experience begin at pay step 2 - $26.7151 per hour.
Hours will increase to 182.50 per month after the initial training period.
Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This position is available immediately. This is a union represented position, for additional information, please clickHERE.
BENEFITS:
Our robust health plan is offered at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents, which includes an innovative on-site clinic, pharmacy, and wellness and wellbeing services. Additionally, we include life insurance, retirement (PERS), generous paid time-off (14-18 hours/month to start, pro-rated for part-time), holidays, and professional development opportunities. Please clickHERE (https://www.deschutes.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/human_resources/page/682/2023_deschutes_county_benefits_guide_-_final.pdf) for full benefit details.
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or GED equivalent;
Must be 18 years of age by hire date;
Must accurately type a minimum of 42 words per minute.
To qualify for employment with the 9-1-1 Service District, candidates must:
Pass a drug screening; a hearing and vision exam; a thorough background, employment, and criminal history investigation; and a psychological examination.
Meet the requirements as outlined in Oregon Administrative Rule 259-008-0300 (https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_259-008-0300)
Possess or obtain all required state certificates and licenses within the probationary period, and maintain thereafter.
Certification as an Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) Basic Telecommunicator, Emergency Medical Dispatcher and Emergency Fire Dispatcher.
CPR and First Aid certification.
Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) certification.
Necessary Special Requirements
Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date. The employment offer will be contingent upon presentation of an acceptable and verifiable driver's license, pre-employment screening for criminal history, driving history, and controlled substances (NOTE: Positive test results for marijuana use may result in rescission of a contingent offer of employment). This screening must be completed with satisfactory findings in order for a formal offer of employment to be extended.
Must pass a driving record review and criminal history background.
A current driver's license, state of issue, and date of birth are required. Candidates who wish to be considered for this position must include an accurate driver's license number, state of origin, and date of birthin the Supplemental Question portion of the application.
Physical Requirements: Must meet the physical requirements as outlined inOregon Administrative Rule 259-008-0011. (https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_259-008-0011) Most work in this classification series occurs under a stressful, high activity office environment where concentration and focus are required for long periods of time. There is often little opportunity to talk to co-workers. Work is performed in an area with moderate noise and lighting fluctuations with restrictions to the workstation.
Deschutes County is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to build an inclusive environment that encourages, supports, and represents the diverse voices and needs of our communities. All are encouraged to apply - we welcome diverse perspectives and experiences.
If you are a veteran and would like to apply for Veterans' Preference, please click HERE (https://www.deschutes.org/hr/page/veterans-preference-information-and-instructions) for information.
Excellent County benefit package when eligible.
Deschutes County offers eligible employees a comprehensive health care package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents. Coverage becomes effective the first of the month following 1 month of employment. Included in the health care package is the Deschutes Onsite Clinic (DOC), which provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, Deschutes County provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees.
Employer paid benefit offerings include:
Life Insurance for employee and dependents
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
Long-term Disability Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Retirement Program through Oregon PERS
Time Management Leave
Employee paid voluntary benefit offerings include:
125 Flexible Spending Program
457 Deferred Compensation Program
Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance
To learn more about Deschutes County's generous benefit offerings, please visitwww.deschutes.org/hrand click on Employee Benefits.
01
I certify that I have read the information provided to me including the initial ad with its included links, the job description, OAR 259-008-0011 (clickHERE (https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_259-008-0300) for OAR), and the posting announcement, and confirm that I qualify and am able to perform the essential functions and special requirements of this position, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Yes
No
02
Do you have a high school diploma or GED equivalent?
Yes
No
03
I understand that all sections of my online application and supplemental questionnaire must be completed accurately and thoroughly to quantify and qualify my ability to follow instructions, give detailed and relevant answers, and to describe my background. I also understand that an incomplete application or lack of details may disqualify me from this position.
Yes
No
04
This job is the essential first link for community to access emergency services and are essential employees. You are expected to report to duty on time and remain at work until the end of shift, regardless of weather or emergencies. You will work various 12 hour shifts, including day, swing, graveyard and relief shifts on a rotation basis. You will work weekends, holidays and overtime. Do you confirm that you are willing and able to meet these requirements?
Yes
No
05
What concerns do you have, if any, with the above requirements?
06
Are you, or have you been, DPSST certified as a telecommunicator, or worked in an equivalent capacity to an emergency dispatcher or call taker? (If yes, please be sure to list the experience on your application).
Yes
No
07
Please tell us why you applied for this position and how your experience, education, skills and abilities will prepare you for a career as a Public Safety Dispatcher / 9-1-1 Call Taker?
08
We provide paid on the job training. While in training, you will follow your trainer's schedule. Requests for additional time off during the training period will not be approved. What concerns do you have with this?
09
If selected, you will need to attend DPSST Basic Telecommunicator class for three weeks in Salem within the first year of employment. You will be paid for your training time, lodging and meals. What concerns do you have with this?
10
Once certified as a dispatcher, most dispatchers currently work two twelve-hour dayshifts (7 am – 7 pm) followed by two twelve-hour nightshifts (7 pm – 7am). Four days on, four days off. During training, you will be following various trainer's schedules so your days off and hours will vary and could include swing shifts and different days off. Are you willing to work this schedule?
Yes
No
11
What concerns if any do you have with this?
12
You will have various classes being taught via an online platform. Are you able to navigate and apply what is learned online?
Yes
No
13
Although we try to prevent short notice changes to schedules, they do occur. Are you willing to accept short notice changes to your work schedule, including mandatory overtime, which might require you to cancel personal plans?
Yes
No
14
Are you willing to work 12-hour shifts, that includes three ten-minute breaks and a 30-minute paid lunch, keeping in mind that the breaks and lunch may not be at times you prefer?
Yes
No
15
Are you willing to receive and apply feedback daily from supervisors, coworkers, management?
Yes
No
16
Are you able and willing to read, study, and apply different manuals, listen to lectures and take written tests on a regular basis during training and throughout your career?
Yes
No
17
PRE-SCREENING RELEASE: In order to be considered for a position with the Deschutes County 9-1-1 Service District, candidates must pass a PRE-qualifying driving record review and a criminal history background check. Deschutes County will use the driver's license information and date of birth from your application to conduct an investigation verifying your background. Results will be used for the purpose of making selection decisions. Information contained in your background check will be reviewed by those persons involved in making decisions on candidate selection or performing the background investigation. You must provide your driver's license number, state of issuance, and date of birth in the supplemental question section of this application form. FAILURE TO LIST YOUR LICENSE NUMBER, STATE, AND DATE OF BIRTH or listing incorrect information, will disqualify you for submitting an incomplete application. By checking YES below, I give Deschutes County my consent to perform a pre-qualifying review of my driving record and criminal history background as described above. I understand the information will be used in the selection process for the 9-1-1 Call Taker position.
Yes
No
18
Please enter your full, legal name: (last, first, middle).
19
Date of birth: (mm, dd, yyyy).
20
Driver's license number.
21
State driver's license issued from.
Required Question
Agency
Deschutes County Human Resources
Address
1300 NW Wall Street Suite 201Bend, Oregon, 97703
Phone
(541) 388-6553
Website
https://www.deschutes.org/jobs
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