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.
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 1,250 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.
HIRING PROCESS:
Apply
Submit your application through the website once the job opens for recruitment. No resume or cover letter are needed. We will get to know you through the supplemental questions which we will review at the phone interview step. It is essential that you list complete and accurate information on your job history on the application. Incomplete information may disqualify you.
Testing
We are responsible for capturing information and relaying it to our partners quickly. To be successful, you need to type a minimum of 42 words per minute at 90% accuracy.
CritiCall Test
This is an online test where we look for underlying skills and abilities important for the work. The test involves components such as memorization, map reading and reading comprehension. You can learn more here: https://criticall911.com/dispatcher-testing/applicants. Minimum score requirements: Keyboarding 42 WPM; Data Entry 3895; Audio Data Entry 1893; Call Summarization 62%; Memory Recall 62%; Prioritization 60%; Map reading 66%. We cannot provide specific score information beyond Pass or Fail, however, you can see your total score by viewing your application through Governmentjobs.com.
First Interviews
A thirty-minute phone interview comprised of five questions with a member of our leadership team.
Sit Alongs Testing
Successful candidates are invited to spend 2-3 hours at dispatch. The first hour is sitting with a telecommunicator with a focus on answering 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls, the second hour is sitting with a telecommunicator who is dispatching for police. The goal of the two hours is to see the job you are applying for in action and get to meet the staff you could potentially be working with. After the sit along, you are invited into the training room for a knowledge check of what you retained, listening to a couple of calls and following along in the computer system as well as a one-minute typing test. It is also a chance to ask any questions you may have to that point.
Panel Interview
Meet our panel of experts, which includes operations and training to get to know you more.
Statement of Personal History
This is our background phase. This is a thorough dive into your qualifications, where we verify criminal history, education, employment and other life events.
Psychological Assessment
A comprehensive, evidence-based evaluation by a psychologist or their designee. You can learn more here: https://oregonfirstresponderevals.com/candidate/.
Medical Testing
This includes a vision, hearing and drug screening
TIMELINE:
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This recruitment is re-opened and closes on Monday, August 24, 2026 at 8 a.m. To ensure your application is considered, all required testing MUST be successfully completed by 8am on Monday, August 27, 2026. Candidates are encouraged to plan their time accordingly, allowing for potential retakes or technical issues before the deadline.
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Hire Date will be in October/November 2026.
TRAINING PROCESS:
The majority of recruits that are hired have no experience with emergency communications. To help you be successful in this role, we provide a comprehensive paid training program before you work on your own.
Our full-time paid training includes:
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Classroom learning with hands-on computer training.
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Simulation exercises, study and practice time.
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County Tour.
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Online classes completed at the center.
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Assigned experienced coaches to guide you while taking live calls and dispatching responders.
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Daily performance feedback to track your progress.
The first four to six weeks are classroom based and either 8- or 10-hour shifts. Once you transition to a trainer, you will work various 12-hour shift schedules that align with your trainer for the on-the-job portion of training where you will be answering 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls with the trainer.
At some point in the first year of employment, new trainees must attend three weeks of classroom training in Salem at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST). The agency provides a vehicle to attend, employee is compensated for eight hours of training a day with three meals provided and a dorm room to stay in at no cost to the employee. You can learn more: https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/CJ/Pages/RulesRegs.aspx
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.
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Enters information into a computer aided dispatch system in an accurate and timely manner.
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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:
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Strong emotional intelligence with a history of honest and ethical decision-making.
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Interpersonal skills to discern callers' situations and assure an accurate, appropriate, and timely response by responders.
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A minimum basic knowledge of geography or the ability to learn geography in a timely manner.
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Excellent listening skills and the ability to communicate clearly.
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Ability to adapt and communicate effectively with diverse public.
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Ability to manage your time and assignments.
Skill in:
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Thinking quickly and independently in emergency situations that require multiple decisions for action.
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Coordinating computer systems to access and enhance information provided to responders.
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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 via
email 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 clicking
HERE.$5,316.07 to $6,784.73 per month for a 173.33 hour work month, during initial training period. $5,597.31 to $7,143.67 for a 182.5 hour work month, once released from training.
Hourly rate is increased to $32.2033 upon completion of call taking training, it will then be increased to $34.0196 upon completion of police dispatch training (about 8-12 months, Public Safety Dispatcher I). 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 $100,000 per year.
For those currently possessing DPSST Certification as a Telecommunicator, certificate pay begins upon hire date and will receive an additional:
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6% - for Intermediate certification.
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11% - for Advanced certification.
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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 - $32.2033 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 click
HERE (Download PDF reader).
Attention all candidates: please make sure your application includes all job history, education, training, certifications, licenses, and other relevant experience, as this information will be used to determine your starting salary range in accordance with Oregon Pay Equity. Resumes will not be reviewed.
(Download PDF reader)
BENEFITS:
Our robust health plan is offered at a minimal cost of $100 per month for employee only or $121 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 click HERE (Download PDF reader) for full benefit details.
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.
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A current driver's license, state of issue, date of birth, and a list of states previously lived in (if applicable) are required. Candidates who wish to be considered for this position must include an accurate driver's license number, state of origin, date of birth, and a list of states previously lived in in the Supplemental Question portion of the application.
Physical Requirements: Must meet the physical requirements as outlined in Oregon Administrative Rule 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.
