Lateral Emergency Communications Dispatcher Trainee Job Portland area,Oregon USA,Customer Service/HelpDesk

Position: Lateral 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Dispatcher Trainee

Emergency Communications Dispatch Trainee

These positions are contingent upon final funding approval and may be subject to change. Do you have experience working in emergency communications?

Job Appointment: Full-Time, Regular.

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 workdays. 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.

Work Location:

Employees report to 9911 SE Bush St, Portland, OR 97266. This position cannot be filled in a remote status.

Benefits:
Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position.

Pay Rate:
Lateral employees will start at the entry rate. Language Pay Premium Eligible:
This position is eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.

Union Representation: This classification is represented by Portland Police Association (PPA).

Position Summary: If you are currently working as a 9-1-1 call taker and police dispatcher now, or have experience within the last year working in those positions at a 9-1-1 center, bring your training, skills, and enthusiasm to the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC). Join our 9-1-1 call center and contribute to the community safety of the Portland metro area.

To meet qualifications, applicants must currently hold, or have held certification in Telecommunications and Emergency Medical Dispatch (or equivalent training to State of Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training) within the last year.

If you do not meet these qualifications, please apply HERE.

Emergency Communications Lateral Police Dispatch Trainees receive paid training that will prepare you to answer 9-1-1/non-emergency calls and dispatch police, fire, medical and mental health responders for our community.

Our full-time 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

Emergency Communications Lateral Police Trainees who successfully complete training will promote to Senior Dispatchers. Prior to promotion, trainees must demonstrate proficiency in answering 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls, using the radio and CAD to record requests for emergency services, dispatch responders; and monitor the status of field units.

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.

Virtual & In-Person Meet & Greet Opportunities

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.

#1. Tuesday, July 7, 2026 5:00 PM-6:00 PM – In-Person at the East County Library

475 NW Division St, Gresham OR 97030

#2. Wednesday, July 8, 2026 from 6:00PM-7:00 PM Virtually on Microsoft Teams

Join the meeting now

Questions? Contact:
Jaclyn Snyder, Senior Recruiter Bureau of Human Resources Jaclyn.

Snyder

To Qualify: Applicants must provide details in their cover letter and resume that demonstrate how their education, training and/or experience, meets each of the following minimum qualifications:

Knowledge of the proper use of a public safety radio system and experience dispatching police and emergency units.

Experience utilizing multiple computer monitors and a keyboard to accurately enter spoken information.

Experience using street maps and computer mapping systems to locate addresses, streets, block numbers, etc.

Ability to prioritize tasks, adjust priorities, and remain focused when the number and variety of tasks change or when faced with situations that may be upsetting.

Ability to remember and accurately transcribe spoken information including names, addresses, sequences of letters and numbers, descriptions and directions.

Applicants must also possess:

High school diploma or GED.
Be at least 18 years old at time of hire.
Oregon
Ability to type 40 Net Words Per Minute (wpm) with 90% accuracy.
Ability to pass a background investigation through the Criminal Justice Information Services System.

The Recruitment Process: The recruitment process will consist of the following steps:

Step 1:
Application:
When you submit your application, please provide thorough details in your cover letter and resume how you have the minimum qualifications. We will use your resume and cover letter for evaluation. The answers you provide will also be evaluated in the interview process.

Step 2:
Typing Test:
Those who pass the minimum qualifications mentioned above will be…