Heroes wear headsets. Will you?
Ever wonder what it is like to be a 9-1-1 Call Taker and dispatcher?
- Curious?
- Do you think outside the box?
- Switch from task to task quickly?
- Want to serve your community?
Joining our team and becoming a 9-1-1 call taker might be a great fit for you!
Learn More
Dispatchers earn a competitive salary and are part of a closely-knit team of public safety professionals.
Training is provided on the job by the District. Employees are expected to progress through training and be released as a police dispatcher within the first year.
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Compensation: The starting hourly rate is $25.4433. The salary range during initial training is $4,409.32 to $5,627.47 per month for a 173.33-hour work month. Hourly rate is increased to $29.2596 upon completion of police dispatch training (about 6-12 months, Public Safety Dispatcher I); and $30.7227 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 $93,000.00 per year. For those currently possessing DPSST Certification as a Telecommunicator, certificate pay begins upon hire date and will receive an additional:
Lateral-certified applicants with 36 months or more experience begin at pay step 2 - $26.7151 per hour. Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This position is available immediately. BENEFITS: Deschutes County offers eligible employees a comprehensive health care package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents at a minimal cost of $90 per month. 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:
Employee-paid voluntary benefit offerings include:
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What Do Dispatchers Do?
9-1-1 call takers and public safety dispatchers receive emergency and non-emergency phone calls from members of the public who need help from local law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical service (EMS) responders.
They also dispatch those responders, and other after-hours services as necessary. Dispatchers serve around the clock, so you will often have to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Overtime and short notice call-back for duty may also happen from time to time.
The pressure to respond quickly and calmly in alarming situations can be stressful; but, it is also rewarding to know YOU have been the first, first responder to send the help that someone in distress needed!
Do you still have questions? Give us a call at 541.322.6112 or email 911hiring@deschutes.org
Who Are We Looking For?
We are seeking applicants who can demonstrate the ability to operate effectively in a high-stress/high-activity environment; identify needs and initiate the appropriate response for dispatching; and who have the desire, dedication and resilience required to successfully complete classroom and on-the-job training.
9-1-1 call takers and public safety dispatchers must have quick mental processing abilities to accurately respond to widely varying situations, as well as the resiliency to deal effectively with stress and difficult or dangerous situations.
About Our Team
Unlike most 9-1-1 dispatch centers, we are funded independently by the citizens of Deschutes County through property and telephone taxes. Our allocated staff includes 38 dispatchers, 5 supervisors, 9 technical team members, 4 administrative support staff, an operations manager, systems manager, training manager, and the director.
Our 9-1-1 call takers and public safety dispatchers work 12-hour shifts, four days on and four days off. They are an essential part of emergency services in Deschutes County.
Deschutes County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, and People with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Deschutes County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, or any other basis prohibited by State of Oregon, federal or local law.
To request this information in an alternate format, please call Human Resources at 541-330-4643 or send an email to employment@deschutes.org.
