Demo

Lateral Communication Specialist I

City of Salem
Salem, OR Full Time
POSTED ON 8/31/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 9/30/2026
Job Summary

Are you an experienced 9-1-1 Call Taker and Police Dispatcher?

If so, we want your expertise and enthusiasm to join the Willamette Valley Communications Center (WVCC) family!

About us: Willamette Valley Communications Center (WVCC) is a division of the City of Salem and the Salem Fire Department. WVCC dispatches for 29 Police, Fire and Medical agencies in Lincoln, Polk, and Marion counties in a 24/7, 365-day center.

What can we offer for all your hard work?

  • 40 hours sick leave to start
  • 40 hours vacation leave to start
  • Reimbursement of moving expenses
    • If the move is > than 100 miles, you will be reimbursed up to $1,000.
    • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
    • Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies
    • Competitive pay
    • Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
    • Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
    • Voluntary long-term care.
    • Employee wellness program.
    • Employee assistance program.
    • Employee health clinic.
    • The City of Salem offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Equal Pay.

    This position is represented by 911 Professional Communication Employees' Association (PCEA), for more information on incentives and benefits please click here .

    • To be considered all applicants must complete the following steps:
    • Complete a city job application.
    • Answer supplemental questions
    • Email WVCCcareers@cityofsalem.net to receive a link to the CommsCoach-HIRE test.
    • Fill out the observation form attached and email to WVCCcareers@cityofsalem.net to schedule a time for an observation. If you are an out of state applicant this can be completed during the hiring process.

    Minimum Qualifications

    • Must pass the pre-employment drug test (including marijuana).
    • Must pass the pre-employment background check and psychological exam.
    • Must be able to work periodic overtime and a variety of 24-hour rotating shifts including holidays and weekends.
    • Pass a hearing and vision examination.
    • Graduation from high school or a G.E.D. and minimum three years of experience in emergency requests or emergency dispatching, preferably servicing multiple agencies in a similar service size agency.
    • Typing certificate: 35 wpm, with 95% accuracy.
    • Must be able to obtain required state certifications during the probationary period.
    • Oregon's minimum standards to work as a telecommunicator and emergency medical dispatcher and background disqualifiers can be found in OAR 259-008-0011.
Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to give detailed information in your application that includes your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as requested in the supplemental questions and job advertisement.

Lateral Communications Dispatcher 1 Qualifications

To be hired as a lateral Communications Specialist 1, the minimum qualifications as listed above are required in addition to the following requirements:

  • Must already possess the Telecommunicator Basic Certification by the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) any other required state certifications, or out-of-state equivalent, AND
  • Must be currently employed, or within the past 12 months, with a minimum of three years full-time employment as a telecommunications dispatcher.

Lateral Telecommunications minimum requirements can be found here: Department of Public Safety Standards and Training : Hiring : Criminal Justice : State of Oregon:

Certifications/Licenses

  • Current DPSST or equivalent Telecommunicator certification is preferred but not required.
  • Out-of-State agency experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility.
  • Must be able to obtain required DPSST state certification during the probationary period.

Where can I find out more about the position?

Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Communication Specialist I .

For more information on the hiring process click here

How can I apply?

The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to, and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.

To apply, click on the green “Apply” button to complete your application. Make sure that you specify how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification and complete the application.

Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.

Next Steps

Skills Testing: Successful candidates that pass the skills testing will be invited to sign up for an interview.

Interviews: Successful candidates that pass the interviews will be moved forward to the background investigation phase of the process.

Tentative hire date: TBD

If you would like more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs .

The listed work examples are illustrative of the classification level and not intended to list all duties typically assigned to this classification. Employees may do all or some of the listed duties, or other related duties. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned this classification. It is as well intended to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

About Us

Salem is the second largest city in Oregon and the capital city. Centrally located in the Willamette Valley, Salem is 49 square miles in size and extends across to counties, Marion and Polk. The community has well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings with wide diversity and a family-friendly ambiance. The city is home to nearly 180,000 residents. For a full community profile detailing demographics and housing statistics, visit the City of Salem website.

The City of Salem organization has eight primary departments: Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community Planning and Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City of Salem employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members and works collaboratively with five labor unions.

You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City through the Job Interest Cards – sign up today!

For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs .

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN IMPLIED CONTRACT AND MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE

Salary.com Estimation for Lateral Communication Specialist I in Salem, OR
$57,940 to $73,181
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