9-1-1 Emergency Communications Dispatcher, Trainee



9-1-1 Emergency Communications Dispatcher, Trainee

Salary

$28.88 - $35.22 Hourly

Location

OR, OR

Job Type

Regular

Job Number

2022-00921

Bureau

Bureau of Emergency Communications

Opening Date

07/25/2022

Closing Date

8/14/2022 11:59 PM Pacific

The Position



Are you ready for work that is both challenging and meaningful?   
Join the dynamic environment of a 9-1-1 call center and contribute to the community safety of the Portland metro area!


About the position: Bring your enthusiasm for serving the community to the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) as an Emergency Communications Dispatcher Trainee (EC Dispatcher Trainee).  EC Dispatcher Trainees receive paid training that will provide you with the skills needed to answer 9-1-1/non-emergency calls and dispatch police, fire, medical and alternative emergency responders.  No previous experience is expected nor required.  The work of 9-1-1 is fast-paced and rewarding but often performed under stressful demands for speed and accuracy.  We routinely assess our employees’ work, providing feedback and training to ensure that we are delivering quality service to the public and to our partner agencies.  

Our paid training program includes:
-    Classroom learning with hands-on computer training
-    Simulation exercises, study and practice time
-    Assigned experienced coaches to guide you while taking live calls and dispatching responders
-    Daily performance feedback to track your progress

To be successful in the program, you must demonstrate critical thinking skills during quickly changing situations; an ability to use required computer, radio and phone systems; and the skill to communicate with the public and responders in emergency situations.


Training Pay Scale
Starting Pay $28.88
12 Months$31.85
18 Months$33.42
Training Completion$35.22


Emergency Communications Dispatch Trainees who successfully complete training will promote to Senior Dispatchers.  

Schedule/Work Environment: Experienced employees are required to work independently with minimal supervision and may assist in training new employees. Typical schedules for experienced employees are four 10-hour work days. The ability to work any shift, on any day of the week, and to work  overtime is an essential function of the job. Employees are not required to report to work on their days off.  

***Learn more & ask questions at our optional informational sessions! Times/Dates listed below. ***

-----------------------------
City of Portland Core Values:
Anti-racism | Communication | Collaboration | Equity | Transparency | Fiscal Responsibility
These values guide our actions as we serve the community and engage our workforce. To learn more about the City's core values, please click here.

Why work at the City of Portland?
The City of Portland workforce serves a population of over 650,000. We are culture- and solutions-driven, viewing every challenge as an opportunity to learn, improve, and share our expertise. We are committed to removing systemic barriers to resources, access, and opportunity. The City is a believer in ALL people and continues to actively recruit and retain diverse top talent every day. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, basic life, short- and long-term disability coverage to eligible employees and their families. If you are open-minded, motivated, community-focused, and self-aware, please apply yourself at the City of Portland today.

The City of Portland also participates in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). For more information on the City of Portland's benefits please click here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
As of October 18, 2021, all City employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. This is required for all positions at the City of Portland. Proof of being fully vaccinated is required by date of hire. You may request an exception, for health or religious reasons, from getting the COVID-19 vaccine at the time a position is offered.

To Qualify

Applicants must provide details in their supplemental question responses that demonstrate how their education, training and/or experience, meets each of the following minimum qualifications:    

The minimum qualifications required for this position are below:

  1. Possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  2. Candidates must be at least 18 years old at time of hire.
  3. Type 40 Net Words Per Minutes (wpm) 
  4. Meet all the requirements indicated in the supplemental questions.
 Applicants must also possess:
  • Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per City/State mandate. If unvaccinated, exception process must be completed by date of hire.  Exception guidelines/process can be accessed here: Exception Request Process for COVID-19 vaccine
  • The ability to pass an in-depth background investigation through the Criminal Justice Information Services System.

The Recruitment Process

The recruitment process will consist of of the following steps

  • Step 1:  Pass/Fail review of the Supplemental Questions (No. 5-19) which will be reviewed for all complete applications. Only those applicants who pass will be invited to the next step.
    • Screening Questionnaire (911 Dispatcher Trainee Supplemental Questionnaire Nos. 5-19)  The job of a Senior Emergency Communications Dispatcher is an exciting and challenging career. However, many applicants focus only on the positive aspects of the work without carefully considering some of the less desirable aspects. Once new employees encounter negative job features, they sometimes react by leaving the job well before training is completed. We want to avoid early resignations due to lack of job knowledge. Therefore, we have included self-screening questions to assist in evaluating your interest and fitness for Emergency Communications work.  
    • Essay Questionnaire (911 Dispatcher Trainee Questionnaire Nos. 20-25) Your responses must fully and clearly demonstrate your qualifications. These responses will be a basis for your evaluation after the eligible list is established. Incomplete or inappropriate responses may result in disqualification. Please note: A cover letter or resume is not required and will not be used during our evaluation process. Your responses to the essay questions are sufficient.

  • Step 2: Typing Test: Those that pass the minimum qualifications outlined above will be emailed instructions to complete the Typing Test (through Typing Test Pro).  To pass the Typing test, you must have a typing speed of at least 40 words per minute with 90% accuracy. 

  • Step 3: CritiCall Test:  Those who pass the Typing Test will be emailed instructions to complete the CritiCall Test. 

  • Step 3: Eligible List Established: Those that pass both the Typing & CritiCall test will be placed on an equally ranked eligible list. You have 14 days from the notice of the examination results to let us know if you disagree with your results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.

  • Step 4: Pass/Fail Oral interview & Reference checks

  • Step 5: Conditional Offer (Offer dependent upon passing Step 6)

  • Step 6: Background investigation, psychological assessment, drug screen and vision/hearing test

  • Step 7: Offer/Hire 

Recruitment Activity Schedule **Timeline is approximate and subject to change without notice** 

Recruitment Opens: July 25th, 2022
Recruitment Closes: August 14, 2022
Typing Test: Week of August 14, 2022
CritiCall Test: August 31- September 7 2022
Eligible List Established/Notices Sent: Week of September 12th 2022
1st Interview: September 21st-23rd 2022
2nd Interview: October 5-7, 2022
Backgrounds begins: Week of October 17th 2022
Backgrounds completed by: Week of December 12th, 2022
Psychological Assessments: January 9th-12th 2022
Start Date: February 6th, 2023
 

Additional Information

Work Status: Non-citizen applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.


Veterans' Preference: If you are requesting Veterans' Preference, attach a copy of your DD214/DD215 and/or Veterans Administration letter stating your disability to your profile, as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veterans' Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment to which you apply. Veterans' Preference documentation must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on the closing date of this recruitment.

ADA Accommodations: If you identify as a person with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job, please contact the Recruiter below for assistance.

Equal Employment Opportunity: It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply.

Language Pay Differential: City of Portland employees who speak one or more languages in addition to English, may be eligible to receive a “language pay differential.” This is compensation for qualifying multilingual City employees who use their language skill to assist the community. More about the language pay differential can be found here.   

Did you know? The City of Portland offers How to Apply Classes that are free and review tips and tricks when applying to the City.  Follow the link for the most recent list of scheduled dates: www.bit.ly/howtoapplyclass

Contact Information:
Emily Sargent (Mavraganis)
Senior Recruiter
503-823-3314
emily.mavraganis@portlandoregon.gov


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We are offering multiple informational sessions!  
Please note: Informational sessions are not required but are a great opportunity to learn more about the position and ask questions.

Tuesday July 26, 2022 6:00 PM-7:00 PM - Join Zoom Meeting
 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81926238766
 
 Wednesday August 3, 2022 from 5PM-6PM In Person at the North Portland Library 512 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97217
 
 Thursday August 11, 2022 5:00-6:00 PM - Join Zoom Meeting
 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81926238766

 

Questions?
Loan Tran Polanco- Senior Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
Loan.Tran@portlandoregon.gov



An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
 



A Career with the City of Portland offers many Employee Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to  
  • Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental) 
  • Carrot Fertility 
  • Wellness Benefits 
  • Life Insurance 
  • Short- and Long-term disability coverage to eligible employees and their families.  
  • Employee Assistance Plan 
  • Flexible Spending Accounts 
  • Retirement 
  • Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), including contributions to the PERS IAP plan paid by employer
  • Family Medical Leave 
  • City Paid Parental Leave 
AND SO MANY MORE! 

Benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status. Click here to review the many different benefits the City of Portland offers.

 

01
Thank you for your interest in joining the team at the City of Portland. We sincerely value your time and hope to make your application experience as positive as possible.

The following supplemental questions are an important step in the examination and selection process to assist us in determining if you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the posted vacancy.

A lack of a complete and thorough response to each of the supplemental questions in the space provided may result in disqualification from the examination. In addition, the selections you make and responses you provide in the questionnaire must accurately reflect what is documented in your work history.

All of the supplemental questions below that are specifically listed in the "To Qualify" section are required for this position. Please provide unique responses for each question that specifically address the qualification(s). Answering "No", "See resume", or entering "N/A" in the open text field to any of the minimum qualifications may result in elimination from further consideration.

If you are requesting veterans' preference, please be sure to indicate that you are a veteran and also upload a copy of your DD214 and/or Veteran's administration letter stating your disability. Veteran's preference documentation must be submitted by the closing time of this announcement.


Have you read and understood all of the information listed above?

  • Yes
  • No
02
Where did you first learn about this job opportunity? (If on a website, job board, or job fair please specify which one)
03
The City of Portland receives public records requests at times. Please indicate which response you find appropriate: (Answer will not disqualify you from the process)
  • My application was submitted with the understanding that the City of Portland would keep the information confidential and would only disclose the information if ordered to do so. I would not have submitted this application without the promise of confidentiality.
  • You may release my application, I am waiving confidentiality.
04
I have read the City of Portland's COVID-19 vaccine requirement.
  • I plan to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine requirement by being fully vaccinated by my hire date and submitting proof of vaccination, or by asking for a religious/medical exception.
  • I do not plan to be vaccinated or ask for a religious/medical exception for the COVID-19 vaccine requirement.
05
Will you have a High School Diploma or equivalent at the time of hire?
  • yes
  • no
06
Are you willing and able to be confined to your work area for extended periods?
  • yes
  • no
07
Are you willing and able to treat all people with respect and dignity?
  • yes
  • no
08
Are you willing and able to work within a highly structured and controlled environment where work productivity and quality is frequently evaluated and critiqued?
  • yes
  • no
09
Are you willing and able to wear a headset and be confined to your work area for extended periods?
  • yes
  • no
10
Are you willing and able to work regularly assigned shifts, which include evenings, nights, Saturdays and Sundays? This may also include Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and/or all religious holidays?
  • yes
  • no
11
Are you willing and able to work overtime on a short notice?
  • yes
  • no
12
Are you willing and able to be courteous to callers who scream or direct obscene language atyou; or callers who are drunk, irrational or confused?
  • yes
  • no
13
Are you willing and able to remain on the telephone and provide a caller with instructions or relay additional information, which may necessitate listening while the caller is being attacked, victimized, trapped in a fire, or other life threatening events?
  • yes
  • no
14
Will you be at least 18 years old at time of hire?
  • yes
  • no
15
Are you willing and able to demonstrate eithical behavior, honesty, and integrity?
  • yes
  • no
16
Are you willing to participate in a a comprehensive background investigation?
  • yes
  • no
17
Are you willing and able to maintain intense concentration and attention for extended periods of time?
  • yes
  • no
18
Is your record clear of adult felony convictions?
  • yes
  • no
19
Please note: The following questions will be utilized during the selection process (after the eligible list is established). If you do not have any relevant experience please type N/A

Do you understand?

  • Yes
  • No
20
Please provide two examples from your background or work experience that required you to communicate complex information in a more simplified manner in order to explain it to someone else.
21
Rate your interpersonal communication skills for effectiveness, tact/diplomacy and ability to interact with a variety of people (unskilled, skilled, or highly skilled). Please provide examples to support your rating.
22
Please provide an example of any projects or work experience that required a high degree of accuracy, memory recall, and/or attention to detail.
23
Rate your ability to use street maps and/or mapping systems to a find a location. Please provide examples. (Note: no experience with Portland/Multnomah county is required).
24
Please provide examples of your experience adjusting priorities and remaining focused in a fast-paced, changing environment.

Required Question

Agency
City of Portland
Address
1120 SW 5th Ave, Room 987

Portland, Oregon, 97204
Phone
503-823-4757