911 Call-Taker/Dispatcher - Entry Level & Lateral

City Of Eugene; Eugene (OR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Bilingual pay up to 5%

Union representation (EPEA)

Job summary

The City of Eugene is recruiting for Communications Specialist 1/2 in Eugene, Oregon. The role involves answering 911 and non-emergency calls, determining appropriate response, and coordinating with dispatchers. Training leads to Communications Specialist 2 proficiency.

The position requires flexible 24/7 shifts and a background in emergency communications. Compensation ranges from $30.27 to $42.64 per hour, with potential bilingual pay and strong benefits.

Qualifications

• One year work experience in a fast-paced environment, which includes data entry experience.

Responsibilities

• Answer 911 and non-emergency calls for police, fire, ambulance, and other requests.
• Dispatch and monitor emergency public safety activities.
• Transmit information to dispatcher or responsible jurisdiction as required.

Skills

Data entry

Fast-paced environment

Customer service

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Central Lane 911 is recruiting 911 Call-Taker/Dispatcher! Do you have a passion for helping others, are you excited by a fast-paced working environment, and do you want to make a difference in the community? Our successful candidates will have the ability to respond quickly and appropriately to emergency and non-emergency situations, will have great attention to detail, and will provide unmatched customer service.

When hired as a Communications Specialist 1, new hires are required to complete an intensive training to become fully cross-trained and proficient in call-taking and dispatch positions at which they will become a Communications Specialist 2.

To learn more about this position, review our links below and come to our Career Night to engage with the 911 staff!

• Career Night will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 - The presentation will begin at 6:00 p.m. in classroom 5 at the Eugene Springfield Fire Regional Training Center (1705 W Second Ave. Eugene, OR 97402)
• 911 Call Taker/Dispatcher Position Information and Selection Process
• 911 Team Video

Salary:

Communications Specialist 1: $30.27 - $33.39 Hourly

Communications Specialist 2: $33.39 - $42.64 Hourly

Communication Specialists may earn up to an additional 20% premium pay (depending on qualifications) after three years of employment.

Salary Range: All Entry-Level Communications Specialist 1 will start at Step 1. Applicants who meet the lateral minimum qualifications will be pay placed depending on their experience, knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees will be expected to successfully train and become proficient in call taking and trained in all dispatch positions as a Communications Specialist 2.

Union Representation: Eugene Police Employees’ Association (EPEA)

Work Location: Central Lane 911 Communications Center, 1735 W 2nd Ave. Eugene, OR 97402, USA

Schedule: To accommodate the emergency services needs for such a large population, Central Lane 911 operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. That means working nights, weekends, and holidays. The workweek consists of four 10-hour shifts with three days off. The shifts look like this:

• Early Days 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Late Days 11:45 a.m. - 9:45 p.m.
• Early Nights 4:45 p.m. - 2:45 a.m.
• Late Nights 9:30 p.m. - 7:30 a.m.

Benefits

• The City of Eugene offers robust and competitive benefits. For more info, click the Benefits Tab, or visit this summary page as well as this benefits package page.
• Bilingual Pay Benefit: This position qualifies for up to an additional 5% of base salary for bilingual pay. Please see "Supplemental Information" at the end of the posting for more information.
• Union Representation: Eugene Police Employees’ Association (EPEA)

Living & Working in Eugene: For more information on living in Eugene, how the City of Eugene operates, and more, visit this page.

• Operates computer terminal equipment and radio/telephone transmitting and receiving equipment
• Answers 911 and non-emergency telephone calls for police, fire, ambulance, and other requests.
• Makes decisions as to type of call, correct response, and responsible agency to respond to incident.
• Evaluates information to determine jurisdiction, equipment, and personnel to be dispatched.
• Transmits appropriate information to dispatcher or responsible jurisdiction as required.
• Studies, and maintains, familiarity with major streets, roads, public buildings, industrial plants, and the general geographic location of cities and landmarks in Lane County.
• Dispatches and monitors appropriate emergency public safety activities.

Entry Level Minimum Requirements

Experience

One year work experience in a fast-paced environment, which includes data entry experience.

Education

High School diploma or GED.

Lateral Minimum Requirements

Experience

At least two and a half (2.5) years of continuous full-time experience as an emergency communications call taker/dispatcher within an emergency communications center that answers 911 calls and/or dispatches police and/or fire agencies.

The experience must be current, full-time, and continuous with no more than a 30-day break in service at the time of application, and the candidate must have been so employed within 90 days of the Eugene Police Department hire date.

Additional Requirements

• CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Certification.
• EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch) Certification.
• Basic Telecommunicator Certificate (DPSST) within 18 months of appointment.

Background: Must pass a police background investigation. No felony convictions. No Class A Misdemeanor convictions within 24 months of application. Please view this list of documents that will be requested as part of the background investigation.

Must pass a psychological evaluation, physical assessment and drug test.

DRUG SCREEN, HEARING TEST and VISUAL ACUITY TEST - as required by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST). To view the standards set by DPSST for certification, please visit DPSST's website and view Oregon Administrative Rule 259-008- 0011.

The City of Eugene encourages individuals of all communities and backgrounds to apply for job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to the public. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes with relevant transferable knowledge, skills, and abilities from a variety of sources and experiences. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The City of Eugene is committed to a respectful work environment, and we value the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally responsive services to all members of our community. As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion we desire to welcome, respect, and create a sense of belonging for a wide range of identities and experiences in our workforce. Women, people with disabilities, and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

The City of Eugene complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any applicant with a qualified disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request accommodation by contacting an employment coordinator at [phone].

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the City of Eugene will request all eligible candidates who accept employment with the City to provide documentation to prove they are eligible for employment in the United States.