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Communications Officer - 911 Dispatcher
About Peninsula Communications
Located inside the Port Angeles Police Department, Peninsula Communications, or PenCom, is the centralized answering point for all 911 calls in Clallam County and in the Clallam and Jefferson County portions of Olympic National Park.
The center provides emergency dispatch services to several agencies, including the Clallam County Sheriff's Department, Port Angeles Police and Fire Departments, Sequim Police Department, Lower Elwha Tribal Police, Forks Police Department, Forks Hospital District, La Push Tribal Police, Olympic National Park Rangers, and six fire protection districts.
Job Summary
PenCom Communication Officers (or 911 Dispatchers) act as the first line of First Responders in emergency situations. They provide life-saving assistance to the community and ensure the safety of police and fire personnel. Communications Officer duties include answering 911 and other emergency telephone systems in a multi-jurisdictional dispatch center, and performing radio dispatch of operational and emergency police, fire and medical calls for assistance. This work involves a wide variety of computer transactions and records functions.
PenCom is staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. In order to protect the residents of Clallam County, Communications Officers work rotating shifts (shifts change every three months) with variable days off. Currently, employees work 12-hour shifts, either 6am-6pm or 6pm-6am.
Salary and Benefits
The monthly salary is $4,810.69 - $6,443.15 ($27.754- $37.172 per hour) plus excellent benefits, including:
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Coverage for Employee and their Dependents*
- Longevity
- Accrued Time Off
- Employee Wellness Program
- Life Insurance
- Long-term Disability Insurance
- PERS Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plan matching
*Employee shares 11.5% of the medical premium.
In addition to a competitive salary and benefits package, all new hires are currently eligible for:
- NEW! $5,000 Sign-On Bonus, payable at the time of completion of probationary employment period
- Reimbursement of Relocation Expenses (for eligible new hires)
How do I know if a 911 Dispatch Career is right for me?
Previous dispatch experience is not required. Emergency Communications is one of the few professional fields where the training you need to become certified is provided to you while on the job and earning full pay! However, certain skills are needed to excel in the position and successfully complete the training/probationary employment period.
Education:
- Highschool Diploma or GED equivalent required
Desired Skills/Qualifications:
- Ability to provide detailed information
- Excellent critical thinking, multi-tasking, and problem solving skills
- Proficient computer skills, including a typing speed of 45WPM and experience with Windows based applications
Other necessary requirements:
Successful applicants must pass a public safety test, background investigation, polygraph and psychological exam, as well as a pre-employment drug screen and audio gram as part of the hiring process.
Employee must be able to report to the Police Department Communications Center within a 30-minute response time.
Disqualifiers:
View the Port Angeles Police Department's Automatic & Discretionary Disqualifiers
Learn more and test your skills!
Contact Human Resources at (360) 417-4508 or humanresources@cityofpa.us to sign up a for a FREE pre-employment dispatching skills exam (CritiCall).
Hiring Process
After applying, candidates can expect the following to occur during the hiring process. The entire process can be completed in as little as six weeks. Candidates must successfully pass each step in order to move forward.
- Application reviewed for minimum qualifications
- CritiCall Pre-Employment Exam (Online) - contact HumanResources@cityofpa.us to be sent a link to take the online test!
- Public Safety Typing Test (Online)*
- Public Safety Test (Proctored Exam at City Hall)
- Formal Panel Interview
- Background Investigation
- Polygraph and Psychological Examination
- Drug/Audio Screen
- Formal Chief’s Interview
Public Safety Testing*
Public Safety Testing is a requirement of the hiring process. The City of Port Angeles is currently offering local public safety testing for those interested in becoming a Communications Officer with Peninsula Communications. To register for the exam, please contact Human Resources Specialist Lacey Ingraham at humanresources@cityofpa.us 360-417-4508. To learn more about the test, please visit the Public Safety Testing website.
Upcoming Public Safety Testing Dates:
The City of Port Angeles Peninsula Communications Center will cover all registration fees for those testing for our center.
City Hall (in person) testing dates:
This proctored exam will take place in the Council Chambers of City Hall (321 E 5th St).
- April 4, 2023 at 11:30 am
Public Safety Test - Online (in home) testing dates:
You can find more information on how to register for this exam, and requirements for candidates here: DST In Home Testing Requirements
- March 9, 2023 at 12:30 pm
- March 11, 2023 at 11:00 am
- March 17, 2023 at 9:15 am
- March 30, 2023 at 12:30 pm
- April 8, 2023 at 9:00 am
- April 13, 2023 at 12:30 pm
- April 27, 2023 at 12:30 pm
Please note, we do ask that candidates pass the online Criticall exam before taking the PST test. To begin the hiring process please either fill out the online job application or contact HumanResources@cityofpa.us .
The City of Port Angeles is an Equal Opportunity Employer (E.O.E.).