Communications Specialist

Original Job Posting Date:

2026-10-19

Communications Specialist

Salary Range: $27.83 - $35.17 per hour

Are you looking for an exciting new career? Working as a Communications Specialist or Dispatcher is not only exciting but also challenging and rewarding too. The satisfaction you get from providing a service to those in need is priceless.

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 callers 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.

Step 1: Complete a City job application.

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

(You can do steps 2 & 3 simultaneously)

Step 2: Must pass the CommsCoach pre-hire skills test (Links will be sent in the week of 11/16/2026 to your email address and you will have 14 days to complete the test once the link has been sent to you)

Step 3: Fill out observation from and attend an observation ( By 11/22/2026 you must have attended observation within the last three months. To schedule a time for an observation, email the form to WVCCcareers@cityofsalem.net.)

Step 4: Complete steps 1-3 you will be contracted to schedule an interview.

(You will be contacted to schedule an interview for the week of 12/7/2026)

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 II in 2½ years.

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 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

• CommsCoach Assessment: Links will be sent the week of November 16, 2026. Candidates will have 14 days to complete the assessment.
• Observation: Must be completed by November 22, 2026.
• Interviews: Scheduled for the week of December 7, 2026.
• Background Investigation: December 4, 2026, through January 24, 2027.
• Final Job Offers: Anticipated in March 2027; exact dates to be determined.
• Academy Start: Anticipated in April 2027; exact date to be determined.
• All dates are tentative and subject to change. *

Vision and Hearing:

Oregon's minimum standards to work as a Tele-communicator and background can be found at:

https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=822

Where can I find out more about the position?

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

Interviews:

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

Tentative Hire Date: April 2027.

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.

Work Shift:

Benefits Information:

For benefits information, please, go to:

https://www. cityofsalem.net/government/jobs/employment-information/pcea-9-1-1-employee-benefits

Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, so please make sure to give detailed information in your application that includes your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as requested in the supplemental questions and job application.

In some cases, if we are unable to hire a qualified candidate for this classification, we may also consider candidates for related classifications.

If applicable for this posting, other job classifications that may be considered are listed below:

Communications Specialist

As applicable for this posting, the pay range(s) below include the combined hourly and/or salary ranges for all classifications listed above. The exact pay range will depend on the specific classification for which you are hired.

This position's estimated compensation is:

$0.00 - $0.00/

Job Type:

Department:

Crystal Laris Villalpando)

Location:

Willamette Valley Communications Center

Opening Date:

2026-10-19

About us:

Salem is the second largest city in Oregon and the capital city. Centrally located in the Willamette Valley, Salem is 49 square miles in size and extends across to counties, Marion and Polk. The community has well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings with wide diversity and a family-friendly ambiance. The city is home to nearly 180,000 residents. For a full community profile detailing demographics and housing statistics, visit the City of Salem website.

The City of Salem organization 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 of Salem employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members and works collaboratively with five labor unions.

The Salem Police Department is the fourth largest agency in Oregon. We are a full-service department with myriad special teams and career advancement opportunities. In November 2020, the department moved into a modern 104,000-square-foot facility with many amenities for employees, featuring purposeful efficiency design for operations and amenities that promote employee wellness.

The Public Works Department values employees and their professional development. If you are someone that takes pride in collaborating on innovative ideas, proactively responding to community needs, and being a good environmental and financial steward, we look forward to meeting you! The Public Works Department promotes a healthy work life balance, while maintaining the utmost dedication to the health, safety, and welfare of our community, including our team!

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 Urban Development department.

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.

Select the "Apply" button to complete your application. Make sure that you specify how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification and complete the 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.

You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City by setting up Job Alerts, you will receive an email confirming you want to Opt-In to Job Alert communications from the City of Salem.

For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our Career Site.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN IMPLIED CONTRACT AND MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE