Dispatch and Communications Specialist (Multiple Positions)

Oregon Department of Transportation; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 48,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11 paid holidays a year

Flexible work schedules

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

The Oregon Department of Transportation invites applications for the Dispatch and Communications Specialist positions in Salem. You will support the Region 2 Dispatch Center by monitoring conditions, coordinating with crews, law enforcement, and other centers, and initiating incident and weather responses.

This role requires handling high-pressure situations, strict adherence to guidelines, and the ability to work varied shifts.

Qualifications

• 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.
• One year of this experience must include receiving and dispatching emergency requests using radio equipment, telephone, and/or computer.
• Note: Successful completion of a Certified Emergency Communications Course may substitute for the one year of specialized experience.
• The successful candidate must become LEDS certified and maintain current certification within 90 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Job description

Position Title

Dispatch and Communications Specialist (Multiple Positions)

Initial Posting Date

09/04/2026

Application Deadline

09/22/2026

Agency

Department of Transportation

Salary Range

$4,312 - $5,988

Position Type

Employee

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.

We provide a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system that connects people and helps Oregon's communities and economy thrive. We encourage people from all backgrounds and abilities to apply for our positions.

Before applying, visit our applicant information website to learn more about our process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, you must apply through your employee Workday profile.

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.
• To request a copy of the position description, which includes all duties and working conditions, please email [e-mail].

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!

Minimum Qualifications

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. One year of this experience must include receiving and dispatching emergency requests using radio equipment, telephone, and/or computer.

Note: Successful completion of a Certified Emergency Communications Course may substitute for the one year of specialized experience.

Special Qualifications

• 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.
• The successful candidate must become LEDS certified and maintain current certification within 90 days of hire.

What We’d Like To See

If you have these attributes, let us know in your application materials! It's how we will choose whom to move forward! You do not need to have all these qualities to be eligible for this position. We may also use transferable skills, experience and education to help us decide who will move forward.

• 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.

Dispatcher, Call Taker, 911