EMPLOYMENT

Communication Officer – 911 Dispatcher

POSITION SUMMARY:

In a multi-jurisdictional emergency communications center and under general supervision, the Communications Officer (CO) answers 911 and other emergency telephone systems, performs electronic and radio dispatch of routine and emergency police, fire and medical calls for assistance and performs a wide variety of related operations.

The CO is typically the first point of contact between a person reaching out for help and the public safety community. The CO must be capable of working independently in a high-stress environment while receiving and evaluating incoming emergency and administrative requests for emergency services; triaging those requests for service; providing guidance, assistance and medical direction to the public in life-safety situations; and coordinating public-safety responses to high-risk, high-stress situations with the objectives of keeping all involved safe.

Key to the success of a CO are dedication to following procedures; adaptability and common sense sufficient to apply procedure and training to always varying and emergent circumstances; a high degree of situational awareness to synthesize information received simultaneously via multiple computer applications, radio channels and telephone calls; a level of technical acumen sufficient to adapt during training and throughout the CO’s career to changing, specialized computer applications and the problems encountered using them; and an exceptional memory for local, state and national procedures, practices, related circumstances and training to be applied to specific circumstances.

Jeffcom 911 is staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. In order to protect the residents of Jefferson County, Communications Officers work rotating shifts (shifts change every three months) with variable days off. Currently, employees work 12-hour shifts, either 6am-6pm or 6pm-6am.

SALARY & BENEFITS:

• Salary range (2025 rates): $30.30 – $40.46 per hour plus longevity pay after 5 years
  • Typical hiring salary: $30.30 per hour, increasing to $32.57 upon training sign-off and increasing to $35.01 upon completion of probation (typically one year)
• Lateral hires may be given credit for prior and comparable work experience in computing entry wage and/or vacation-accrual rates
• Excellent benefits include:
  • Medical, dental and vision insurance coverage for employee and dependents with 90% of the benefit contribution paid by Jeffcom
  • Life insurance
  • Long-term disability insurance
  • PERS retirement
  • Access to deferred compensation plans with up to 3% Jeffcom match
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Vacation accrual starting at 108 hours annually plus two floating holidays
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential:

• 18 years of age at time of application
• Ability to pass the Jeffcom background check process including its automatic and discretionary disqualifiers
• Ability to pass fingerprint and criminal-history checks
• Ability to multitask and process information quickly
• Ability to make appropriate decisions under stressful conditions
• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Computer literacy sufficient to be trained in specialized systems
• Ability to speak English clearly and distinctly at all times
• Ability to work rotating shifts including weekends and holidays
• Ability to work more than 40 hours in the workweek including mandatory overtime and callback
• Ability to complete Criminal Justice Information Services training
• Ability to complete state-mandated telecommunicator training and to maintain state telecommunicator certification through ongoing training requirements
• No hearing loss in excess of 25 decibels in the speech frequency range of 500, 1,000 and 2,000 Hz in either ear as measured by Jeffcom-contracted testing
• No medical conditions or medications that would interfere with performance of the essential job skills

Education:

• High school graduate or GED

Experience:

• Type 33 words per minute accurately as measured by Jeffcom-contracted testing
• Possess a valid Washington State driver’s license at the time of appointment, or the ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days
• Desired: Experience as a 911 operator or emergency dispatcher in a public-service agency
• Employee must be able to report to Jeffcom 911 Communications within a 45-minute response time. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

HIRING PROCESS:

After applying, candidates can expect the following to occur during the hiring process. The entire process can be completed in as little as six weeks.  Candidates must successfully pass each step in order to move forward.

• Application reviewed for minimum qualifications
• CritiCall Pre-Employment Exam (Online) – Jeffcom 911 will send a link to take the online test!
• Formal Panel Interview
• Background Investigation
• Psychological Examination
• Drug/Audio Screening

To begin the hiring process, please send your resume to hr@jeffcom911.us

Jeffcom 911 is an equal-opportunity employer.

Come check us out! If you have wondered what goes on in a 911 center, email hr@jeffcom911.us to set up an observational sit in. See first-hand what happens behind the scenes. This could be exactly what you’ve been looking for!