Communications Specialist

Join the King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) Communications Team as a 911 Communications Specialist (911 Call Receiver). KCSO seeks individuals with exceptional customer service and communication skills to directly impact lives in critical moments.

• Use telephones and radios to provide critical information and communicate with callers and deputies.
• Receive, prioritize, and route emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Gather information from callers and enter details into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System.
• Assign response priority and relay pertinent information via radio.
• Retrieve data from state and national networks regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registrations, restraining orders, and criminal histories.
• Record information and maintain required logs and event cards.
• Manage multiple radio frequencies and communications simultaneously.
• Communicate effectively with upset or hostile callers while obtaining necessary information.
• Be prepared to hear graphic descriptions of violence or injury.

• Manage uncertainty and adapt during simultaneous emergency calls.
• Act calmly, quickly, and accurately in high-stress situations.
• Multi-task complex, fluctuating scenarios.
• Quick learner; grasp law‑enforcement terminology and operations.
• Make quality decisions based on moderately complex instructions.
• Instill trust within the organization and community; demonstrate integrity.
• Communicate effectively with callers of limited English proficiency or in distress.
• Write clearly, using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, law enforcement, and public.
• Demonstrate resilience and manage stress.
• Basic computer skills.
• Work overtime as required; willing to work any shift, including holidays and weekends.
• After 18 months, eligible for advancement to Communications Specialist – Dispatcher.

• United States citizen, lawful permanent resident, or DACA recipient.
• Fluent English reading, speaking, and writing.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Pass the 911 Dispatcher technical exam and typing exam (35 wpm, 90% accuracy).
• High school diploma or GED.
• Meet all KCSO background standards and not subject to automatic disqualifying behavior.
• Complete a detailed personal history statement.

911 Call Receiver: $36.21–$43.77 per hour.

911 Dispatcher (eligible after 18 months): $45.90–$50.47 per hour.

• Minimum 1 year of high‑level customer service experience.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to shift tasks quickly.
• Control personal emotional responses under high stress.
• Strong organizational skills and adaptability.
• Strong people skills and high level of customer service.
• Follow moderately complex instructions; speak English clearly and quickly.
• Strong critical‑thinking skills and act quickly per policy.
• Effective written communication using proper grammar, spelling, punctuation.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.