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Richland, Washington, United States
Onsite
Department:
Benton County Emergency ServicesDivision:
SECOMM Operations GeneralStarting pay for this position is $30.53 per hour and is set by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Teamsters, Local No. 839.
Position Salary Range: $30.53 - $42.08
Note to Applicants: Candidates that pass the initial typing test and CritiCall testing process will be certified and merged onto a current eligibility list, and shall remain on the list for one year. The pace at which we can move candidates forward depends on the number of open positions available at any given time. As new vacancies arise, we will continue advancing applicants whose qualifications align with those opportunities.
Located in Richland, WA, the Southeast Communications Center (SECOMM) is the 911 center for Benton and Franklin Counties in Eastern Washington. Additionally, we provide dispatch service to all law enforcement, fire/EMS, and emergency response agencies within both counties along with Walla Walla Fire District #5 in Walla Walla County. SECOMM averages about 28,000 calls per month, including both emergency and non-emergency calls.
Richland is located at the confluence of the Columbia and Yakima Rivers in southeastern Washington in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Richland and its sister cities of Kennewick, Pasco, and West Richland make up the Tri-Cities MSA with a population of 312,000. Richland is the third largest city in the region with a population of approximately 62,500 residents. The city and its citizens are proud of the community’s excellent quality of life, which includes educational opportunities, outstanding health care providers and facilities, and cultural and recreational amenities.
Top reasons you want to work at SECOMM:
SECOMM offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes:
As part of the public safety team, the successful candidate will contribute to the safety and welfare of fellow emergency responders and the citizens of both Benton and Franklin counties.
Please consider the information below when determining if this is a career for you. 911 Dispatchers support law enforcement and go through a similar background process. Our recruitment process typically takes about 90 days from the date of application to hire date.
The first six months of training require significant internal resources. Vacations and time off are not guaranteed during this time. Employees are expected to be available and willing to work 12-hour rotating shifts, which includes day shift, night shift, and mandatory weekends and holidays. During training, an effort will be made to expose the trainee to both day and night shifts.
Watch video message from retired Kennewick Police Chief Ken Hohenberg about the exciting and rewarding career of being an Emergency Communications Dispatcher here.
To hear from current 911 Dispatchers, watch this 911 Dispatcher testimonial prepared by Washington State here.
Dispatching is often compared to being an Air Traffic Controller – very stressful. Part of our training is to learn to cope with that stress and take care of ourselves.
Some types of calls we deal with (and are trained to handle) include:
There is no way to cover everything an Emergency Communications Dispatcher does every day – every day is something new and usually exciting. We encourage you to arrange to participate in an Observation (a voluntary sit-in with a dispatcher) to let you see what this job really entails.
Please view the Hiring Brochure and Hiring Standards for more information and job details.
Click here to view the complete job description, to include essential functions and working conditions.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Final candidate(s) selected will be required to successfully complete and pass a comprehensive background/reference process to include a job suitability assessment, fingerprinting, polygraph, psychological evaluation, and a pre-employment physical examination (including drug/alcohol screening) commensurate to the position.
Example Recruitment process timeline:
Step 1 – Submit application
Step 2 - Typing test
Step 3 – Emergency Call Simulations Test (previously CritiCall testing)
Step 4 – Job suitability assessment
Step 5 – Fingerprinting
Step 6 – Background and reference checks
Step 7 – Interview with the Executive Director
Conditional offer of employment
Step 8 – Polygraph
Step 9 – Psychological evaluation
Step 10 – Pre-employment medical exam (to include drug and alcohol screening)
Final offer of employment
The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a highly qualified and diversified work force. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age (over 40), martial or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.
In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be provided for participation in the application and selection process, if requested. Persons with a disability who need assistance must notify the Human Resources Department about the accommodation needed at the time of application and prior to the closing date by calling (509) 942-7392.
The provisions of job announcements listed on this website do not constitute an expressed, or implied, contract of employment with the City. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.