Job Summary

What makes our team successful?

Teamwork. Our team relies on each other to get the job done. We work together to provide emergency communication services for over 400,000 residents across three counties.
Multi-tasking. Our team answers, classifies and prioritizes all 911 and non-emergency calls. We keep caller’s calm; dispatch emergency services; and provide assistance, resources or information while operating multiple systems - all at the same time.
Resiliency. Our team members have the unique ability to maintain composure and adapt quickly while working under pressure through difficult situations- but no one must do it alone. We provide resources and support one another so we can continue to help others. Saving lives starts with us!
Purpose. Our team makes a difference every day with every call. A career in 911 can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. Your Calling Starts Here!

If this sounds like a career you are interested in, follow the steps below.

Complete a City job application.

Review additional resources here. "How to become a Communications Specialist"

Complete and pass the Criticall skills test. Links will be sent the week of 03/30/2026 to your emailaddress. You will have 14 days to complete the test once the link has been sent to you.

Steps 2 and 3 can be completed simultaneously

Fill out the observation form (click on observation form) and attend an observation by 03/31/3036 or must have attended observation within the last three months.

To schedule a time for an observation, email the form to WVCCcareers@cityofsalem.net .

Complete steps 1-3.

You will be contacted by email to schedule an interview for 05/04 ,05/05, 05/06

Learn and Grow

You bring your desire to learn, and we’ll teach you all you need to know to have a successful career! You will start as a call-taker and follow an established advancement path to become a fully trained dispatcher with the classification Communication Specialist 2 in as little as three years.

Communications Specialist

Entry Level

Communications Specialist, I

Police Radio Qualified Dispatcher

Communications Specialist, II

Fire Radio Qualified Dispatcher

What are the minimum qualifications?

Must pass the pre-employment background check, criminal background check, drug test (including marijuana), and psychological exam.
Must type 35 wpm with 95% accuracy.
Must be able to work periodic overtime and a variety of 24-hour rotating shifts including holidays, nights and weekends.
Pass a vision and hearing examination.
Successful completion of the Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and Basic Tele-communicator courses provided by WVCC by the end probationary period.
Graduation from high school or a G.E.D. and experience performing high-activity call receiving work, communicating via telephone equipment, or dealing with emergency related requests from the public or any combination of experience and training that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and abilities as listed, and ability to perform the examples of work.

What can we offer for all your hard work?

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%.
Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Voluntary long-term care.
Employee wellness program.
Employee assistance program.
Employee health clinic.
Bonus perk, we have the best team to work with, exercise equipment and more!

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.

As a Communications Specialist You Will

Answer 911 and non-emergency calls for 32 Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Service agencies located in Lincoln, Polk, and Marion counties.
Determine if there is a need for police, fire, or an ambulance to respond by using a prescribed set of questions.
Provide answers to questions that do not require an in-person response or refer callers to the agency or person who can best assist them, and
Receive training in an academy setting at our Center and at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST).

Hiring Process Timeline: For detailed information on the hiring process please click here

CritiCall Link

The week of 03/30/26

(14 days to complete)

Observation

Must be completed by 03/31/26

Interviews

5/4, 5/5 & 5/6

Pre-Employment Background Check

05/18 – 6/22

Final Job Offers

July 2026 TBD

Academy Start

July 2026 TBD

Timelines are estimates only. Dates subject to change*

Tentative Hire Date: July 2026

Vision And Hearing

Oregon's minimum standards to work as a Tele-communicator and background can be found in https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=822

About Us

Willamette Valley Communications Center (WVCC) is a division of the City of Salem and the Salem Fire Department. WVCC dispatches for 32 Police, Fire, and Medical agencies in Lincoln, Polk, and Marion counties in a 24/7, 365-day center.

The City of Salem is the second largest City in the State of Oregon. Located in the lush Willamette Valley, Salem is the capital city of Oregon with a population over 180,000. Centrally located, Salem is 47 miles south of Portland and an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem is an exceptional community for living and working with exciting new and comfortable well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings. A full-service City, Salem 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 has five labor unions and employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members. The Urban Renewal Agency and the Salem Housing Authority are separate municipal corporations. The Agency contracts with the City for services and the Authority is led by the Housing Administrator within the Community Planning and Development department.

Where can I find out more about the position?

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

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. Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to include how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification in your 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.

Interviews

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

Tentative Hire Date: July 2025.

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.

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

City of Salem

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Communications Specialist