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City of Eugene
911 Call-Taker/Dispatcher - Entry Level
Career Insights for Dispatcher
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What they do
A Dispatcher answers emergency calls and relays information from callers to the appropriate police, fire or ambulance staff. Speaks calmly with callers to get the information needed for emergency personnel. Keeps detailed records of calls and responses.
$54,865 / year median in Oregon
+8% projected growth
Job Description
JOB Central Lane 911 is recruiting 911 Call-Taker/Dispatchers! Do you have a passion for helping others, are you excited by a fast-paced working environment, and do you want to make a difference in the community? Our successful candidates will have the ability to respond quickly and appropriately to emergency and non-emergency situations, will have great attention to detail, and will provide unmatched customer service. When hired as a Communications Specialist 1, new hires are required to complete an intensive training to become fully cross-trained and proficient in call-taking and dispatch positions at which they will become a Communications Specialist 2. To learn more about this position, review our links below and come to our Career Night to engage with the 911 staff! Career Night will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026
- The presentation will begin at 6:00 p.
Team Video Application Deadline:
Monday, June 22, 2026 at 5 p.m. P.T. Accepting Online Applications Only Information on How toApply Salary:
Communications Specialist 1 $30.27- $33.39 Hourly
- Call takers and trainees who serve as the front line, doing general intake of emergency and non-emergency calls. Communications Specialist 2 $33.39
- $42.64 Hourly
- Proficient in handling the full scope of call functions (fire, police, and other emergency medical incidents).
Salary Range:
All Entry-Level Communications Specialist 1 will start at Step 1. Applicants with a minimum of 3 years, of full-time experience as an emergency communications call taker/dispatcher within an emergency communications center that answers 911 calls and/or dispatches police and/or fire agencies, that do not meet the definition of Lateral 911 Call Taker Dispatcher/Communications Specialist 2 will be placed in accordance with the table below. Salary Step Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Communications Specialist 1 Hourly Rate $30.27 $31.80 $33.39 Entry Level (Communications Specialist 1) All Entry Level- Entry Level with Communications experience (does not meet lateral definition)
- 3+ years Union R epresentation : Eugene Police Employees' Association (EPEA)
Work Location:
Central Lane 911 Communications Center, 1735 W 2nd Ave. Eugene, OR 97402,USA Schedule:
To accommodate the emergency services needs for such a large population, Central Lane 911 operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. That means working nights, weekends, and holidays. The workweek consists of four 10-hour shifts with three days off.The shifts look like this:
Early Days 7:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Late Days 11:45 a.m.
- 9:45 p.m. Early Nights 4:45 p.m.
- 2:45 a.m. Late Nights 9:30 p.m.
- 7:30 a.
Benefits:
The City of Eugene offers robust and competitive benefits. For more info, click the Benefits Tab, or visit this summary page as well as this benefits package page.Bilingual Pay Benefit:
This position qualifies for up to an additional 5% of base salary for bilingual pay. Please see "Supplemental Information" at the end of the posting for more information. Living & Working inEugene:
For more information on living in Eugene, how the City of Eugene operates, and more, visit this page.EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Operates computer terminal equipment and radio/telephone transmitting and receiving equipment Answers 911 and non-emergency telephone calls for police, fire, ambulance, and other requests. Makes decisions as to type of call, correct response, and responsible agency to respond to incident. Evaluates information to determine jurisdiction, equipment, and personnel to be dispatched. Transmits appropriate information to dispatcher or responsible jurisdiction as required. Studies, and maintains, familiarity with major streets, roads, public buildings, industrial plants, and the general geographic location of cities and landmarks in Lane County. Dispatches and monitors appropriate emergency public safety activities.SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Bilingual Pay Benefit Per the EPEA Contract, the City shall pay an employee at 5% of base wages for a required intermediate or advanced level competency. To qualify for bilingual pay, the employee must have demonstrated fluency in the required language and successfully pass a fluency examination administered by the City's Employee Resource Center division. Eligibility List Following interviews, this posting may be used to establish an eligibility list of applicants for up to one year for future vacancies. Candidates that are placed on the eligibility list will be notified via email which will include the duration of the list and how notification of call up will occur. What to Expect from our Selection Process Applicants are screened based upon their relevant knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and training. The selection process varies according to the position and can include such things as screening of supplemental questionnaires, written or skill tests, ability or fitness tests, interviews, and assessment processes. In addition, background investigations and records checks may be required. Some positions also require applicants to have a psychological evaluation and/or physical examination and a drug test prior to employment. Please feel free to print the following steps and reference it throughout the recruitment process as this information will help you best understand each step of evaluation. Hiring Process Timeline 1.APPLICATION
- Submit a completed application by Monday, June 22, 2026 at 5 p.
PT. 2. CRITICALL TEST
- Applicants who meet the stated minimum qualifications and requirements will be invited to complete an online Criticall test between June 26
- July 9, 2026.
ORAL INTERVIEWS
- Qualified candidates will be interviewed the week of July 27, 2026.
COMPREHENSIVE POLICE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
- The background investigation phase may take up to 5 weeks and is tentatively planned for August 11
- September 11, 2026
- You will be required to submit information related to your personal and professional history including references.
DO NOT SUBMIT ANY MATERIAL PRIOR TO BEING INVITED TO THE BACKGROUND PHASE.
Materials received before being requested will not be considered and may be destroyed. 5.PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION
- The psychological evaluation is a two-part process. You will be invited to complete a psychological evaluation and exam. Testing may take 2-4 hours to complete. Your exam will be evaluated by a licensed psychologist who will conduct a 30 minute
- 1 hour interview with you. The exact date of testing and the interview is TBD but is anticipated to take place between September 24
- October 9, 2026
DRUG SCREEN, HEARING
TEST andVISUAL ACUITY TEST
- the exact date of medical testing is TBD but is anticipated to take place between September 24
- October 9, 2026
HIRE DATE
- November 2, 2026
- is the planned hire date for this recruitment.
ORIENTATION & TRAINING
- Successful candidates will start their employment with a 5-6 week classroom-based academy, followed by 12 or more weeks of intensive on the job training involving varying schedules.
- Attendance and schedule flexibility are mandatory for preliminary training.