Dispatch and Communications Specialist (Multiple Positions)

State of Oregon; Salem; On-site; INR 4,548,000 - 6,316,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

Oregon Department of Transportation is seeking a Dispatch and Communications Specialist in Salem to keep roadways safe by rapidly assessing traffic hazards, weather events, and incidents. You will coordinate with multiple agencies and manage emergency communications in a demanding, fast-paced environment.

The role requires evaluating situations, prioritizing actions, and maintaining backup systems, with shifts including days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Background checks apply.

Qualifications

• Two years of public contact experience including gathering and relaying information and evaluating activities or incidents.
• One year of experience must include receiving and dispatching emergency requests using radio, phone, or computer.
• Certified Emergency Communications Course may substitute for the one year of specialized experience.

Responsibilities

• Monitor transportation system conditions, radio communications and weather using software and equipment.
• Answer a multiline phone system and a multichannel radio system.
• Implement incident and weather related response plans.
• Coordinate with dispatch centers, operation centers, crews, law enforcement and emergency systems.
• Receive, input and notify crews about maintenance or repairs.
• Implement detour routes and dispatch staff/equipment.
• Monitor and test device status and backup systems.
• Review guidelines and operating plans for state and regional systems.
• Be restricted to workstations for long periods in close working areas.
• Handle multiple priorities, including life-threatening situations, with public communication during crises.
• Work day, swing, flexible, alternating shifts, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Pass and maintain CJIS/OSP background checks for LEDS operation.

Skills

Public contact experience

Emergency dispatch experience

Communication skills

Job description

Initial Posting Date: 09/04/2026 Application Deadline: 09/22/2026 Agency: Department of Transportation Salary Range: $4,312 - $5,988 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Dispatch and Communications Specialist (Multiple Positions) Job Description: Transportation Telecommunications Specialist 1 – Dispatch and Communications Specialist (Multiple Positions) Oregon Department of Transportation Delivery & Operations Division Region 2 – Dispatch Center Salem

The role: Do you enjoy helping others, multitasking and working under pressure? As a dispatch and communications specialist, you will play an important role in keeping Oregon roadways safe. In this role, you will quickly assess and communicate information about traffic hazards, weather events, incidents and other emergencies. Your decision-making skills will help keep our field crews safe and improve safety and mobility for Oregon travelers.

A day in the life:

• Monitor transportation system conditions, radio communications and weather conditions using software and equipment.
• Monitor and answer a variety of technical equipment including a multiline phone system and a multichannel radio system.
• Implement incident and weather related response plans.
• Coordinate with other agency dispatch centers, transportation operation centers, crews, law enforcement and the Oregon Emergency Response System.
• Receive, input and notify crews about maintenance or repairs.
• Implement detour routes including dispatching staff and equipment.
• Monitor and test device status and the operation of backup systems.
• Review and stay up to date on statewide and regional standard operating guidelines, emergency operations plans and transportation operations center systems.
• Will require being restricted to workstations for long periods sometimes in a close working area.
• Handle multiple conflicting priorities that sometimes involve life threatening situations and communicating with the public often under confusing or crisis conditions.
• Will be required to work day shifts, swing shifts, flexible shifts, alternating shifts, nights, weekends, extended hours and on holidays.
• Must be able to pass an initial and maintain annual CJIS/OSP background checks for LEDS operation.

What’s in it for you:

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, paid leave and so much more.
• Learn more about working at the Oregon Department of Transportation and the benefits we offer.
• Comprehensive and equitable base salary offer within the listed range.
• Through an equal pay assessment, we will determine the salary offer using the information you provide in your submitted application materials.
• Please ensure your application materials are detailed, accurate and reflect your skills, experience (paid and unpaid) and education as they relate to the position when applying.
• The salary range listed is the non-PERS monthly salary range.
• If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6.95%.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity!
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Minimum qualifications:

1. Two years of public contact experience that includes gathering, relaying, and providing information to others AND evaluating activities or incidents, and determining an appropriate course of action.
2. One year of this experience must include receiving and dispatching emergency requests using radio equipment, telephone, and/or computer.
3. Note: Successful completion of a Certified Emergency Communications Course may substitute for the one year of specialized experience.

Special qualifications:

1. You must be able to complete a \"Test Genius\" test, which we will administer during the recruitment process, if selected to move forward. This will test skills including typing, map reading, memory recall and data entry.
2. The successful candidate must become LEDS certified and maintain current certification within 90 days of hire.

What we’d like to see:

• Proven ability to communicate effectively with diverse individuals and groups, including fire personnel, law enforcement, towing companies and members of the public.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment while adapting to changing priorities and demands.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments while maintaining productivity and professionalism in an environment with frequent interruptions.
• Demonstrated ability to perform repetitive data entry tasks with a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail and consistency.
• Demonstrated ability to operate computers and efficiently navigate a variety of computer systems, applications, programs and software.

Additional information:

We do not offer visa sponsorship.

If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. We are not an E-Verify participating employer, and we are unable to proceed if E-Verify participation is required [e.g., STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension]. The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an education institution during the application process. We may use this recruitment to fill multiple or future vacancies. We will conduct name-based and fingerprint-based criminal background checks on final candidates under consideration for this position. All applicants may be subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as driver license, LEDS (Law Enforcement Data System), and/or education verification as required for the position. You will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

ODOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff…

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices.

Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation during the application process.

For questions, concerns, or complaints regarding EEO/AA/ADA, contact 1-877-336-6368 (1-877-EEO-ODOT).

This information can be made available in an alternative format by contacting ODOT Recruitment at 503-986-3700.

Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.