Communications Specialist

$54,558 - $68,973/Yr

City Of Salem - Salem, OR

posted 6 months ago

Full-time - Entry Level
Salem, OR
1,001-5,000 employees
Support Activities for Transportation

About the position

The City of Salem is seeking a dedicated and skilled Communications Specialist to join our Fire Department's 911 Operations team. This full-time position is not only exciting but also challenging and rewarding, as it plays a crucial role in providing emergency communication services to over 400,000 residents across three counties. As a Communications Specialist, you will be responsible for answering, classifying, and prioritizing all 911 and non-emergency calls, ensuring that callers remain calm while dispatching emergency services and providing necessary assistance, resources, or information. This role requires exceptional multi-tasking abilities, as you will operate multiple systems simultaneously while maintaining composure under pressure. Our team thrives on teamwork and support, ensuring that no one has to face difficult situations alone. The satisfaction derived from making a difference in people's lives with every call is what makes this career incredibly fulfilling. In this position, you will start as a call-taker and follow a structured advancement path to become a fully trained dispatcher within three years. The role involves not only answering calls but also determining the need for police, fire, or ambulance responses by utilizing a prescribed set of questions. You will receive comprehensive training in an academy setting at our Center and at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST). The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and values diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workforce. We encourage individuals from all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for this position, as we believe that welcoming differences and encouraging new ideas enhances our ability to serve the community effectively.

Responsibilities

  • Answer 911 and non-emergency calls for 29 Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Service agencies located in Lincoln, Polk, and Marion counties.
  • Classify and prioritize calls based on urgency and need for police, fire, or ambulance response.
  • Maintain composure and provide assistance to callers while dispatching emergency services.
  • Operate multiple communication systems simultaneously to provide accurate and timely information.
  • Receive training in an academy setting and complete required courses to advance in the role.

Requirements

  • High school diploma or GED is required.
  • Must pass a pre-employment background check, criminal background check, drug test, and psychological exam.
  • Typing speed of 35 words per minute with 95% accuracy is required.
  • Ability to work periodic overtime and a variety of 24-hour rotating shifts, including holidays, nights, and weekends.
  • Successful completion of the Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and Basic Tele-communicator courses by the end of the probationary period.

Nice-to-haves

  • Experience performing high-activity call receiving work or dealing with emergency-related requests from the public.
  • Familiarity with communication via telephone equipment.

Benefits

  • 457(b) retirement plan
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Wellness program
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