911 CALLTAKER
"Not accepting applications at this time"

Salary Range: $16.15 - $20.39 Hourly + Excellent Fringe Benefits

Work Hours:  Varied, Shift work including nights, weekends and holidays

This is entry level work with a career path to more responsible emergency communications work once training and experience is received. Call Takers (CT) are responsible for receiving requests for police, fire and medical services from the public in a centralized Public Safety Communications Center. The work involves emergency call taking as well as non-emergency call taking. Upon completion of the one-year trial service period, a CT may apply to advance and complete training at the CS1 and CS2 levels, which include police and then fire radio dispatching (at a higher salary rate).

In order to apply, applicants must:

• Meet strict Background Requirements: Demonstrated by having made good life choices as determined by a thorough background investigation that includes a review into personal, credit, criminal and employment references and history (as required by Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training). The background is a “pass/fail” and must be completed thoroughly and truthfully by all applicants.

• Be a high School graduate or possess a GED certificate.

• Be a good communicator using both oral and written skills.

• Be willing to work a variety of shifts, including weekends and holidays.

• Be fluent in Spanish/English (desired, but not mandatory).

Possess Knowledge of:

Local geography, including locations of major streets, principle industrial, commercial and institutional structures (or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge).

Possess the ability to:

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the public and other personnel.

• Memorize radio codes, numbers, laws, and procedures.

• Respond rapidly and effectively to emergency situations and maintain emotional composure.

• Consistently adhere to work schedules set by supervisor.

• Write legibly and maintain accurate and detailed records.

• Participate in a “pass/fail” typing test, standard of 35 words per minute.

• Manage several priorities simultaneously and to keep track of the status of those priorities.

• Record information and accurately relay to ensure the request is met.

• Multi-tasking abilities may be demonstrated through work experience in a variety of types of jobs such as an Answering Service employee who must demonstrate high quality customer service while recording caller information, who remember customer requests and who prioritize and respond to requests in a timely manner.

The Selection Process Consists of:

• Application. A completed City of Salem application is required (resumes will not substitute).

• Examination test date to evaluate Call Taking skills and abilities: See Schedule Below

• Typing Tests, Job Simulation Tests, Written skill evaluation tests and Oral Interviews

• Thorough Background Investigation regarding thoroughness and truthful disclosure about personal credit, criminal and employment histories.

• Tentative Job Offer

• Physical Examination & Drug Testing

• Final Job Offer

Test Date                                                                                       Application Deadline

October 16, 2008                                                                    September 29, 2008 5:00 pm

January 13, 2009                                                                    December 29, 2008 5:00 pm

April 15, 2009                                                                        March 30, 2009 5:00 pm 

Note: All application received after application deadline dates and times listed above, will be considered for the next scheduled test date. All applicants will receive communication confirming the test date

There may, or may not be position openings at the end of the selection process. Applicants that successfully pass all phases of the testing and background will be placed on a hiring list starting with the highest scoring candidate. The established list will be valid for a period of 6 months, and will be used to fill job openings as they occur.

Open Date: July 25, 2008

Closing Date: Open until filled

To Apply: Applications may be obtained from the City of Salem, Human Resources Department, Room 225, 555 Liberty Street SE, Salem, OR 97301. Applications must be returned to the Human Resources Department by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date, or, postmarked on the closing date. Due to the volume received, the City WILL NOT verify the receipt of faxed or mailed applications. The City cannot be responsible for material that is illegible or missing as a result of transmitting by fax or which may be lost through the mail. All newly selected finalists for City employment are subject to testing for drugs and a criminal background check.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Women, Minorities and Disabled are Encouraged to Apply

ADA Accommodations will be provided Upon Request

This announcement is not an implied contract and may be modified or revoked without notice.