Join Our Operations Team

Please read all the information below carefully to help guide you through the recruitment process.

Communications Officer I/Communications Officer II (Call Receiver/Dispatcher)

Overview:

An applicant need not have previous related experience to be successful at Valley Communications Center. All new hires begin as a Communications Officer I and are expected to move into the Communications Officer II role after 12 months.  Other advancement opportunities are also available.

Click here to view the Communications Officer I job description

Click here to view the Communications Officer II job description

Position Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Eighteen (18) years of age or older on date of hire.
• A $10.00 (ten dollar) non-refundable testing fee is required upon arrival to test. Payment can be made with a personal check, money order, cash or cashier’s check. Applicants may request an indigent waiver if necessary.

Wages:

• Communications Officer I current base wages:

                         $21.70 per hour ($45,126 annual) to $25.92 per hour ($53,910 annual) 

• Communications Officer II current base wages:

                        $25.99 per hour ($54,072 annual) to $30.23 per hour (62,886 annual)

Representing Authority:

Benefits:

Presently, Medical is offered through either Regence Health Care or Group Health Cooperative; Dental is offered through Washington Dental Service, and Vision Care through VSP.

We offer paid Vacation, Sick, and Holiday time.

All employees are required to participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

Tuition Reimbursement programs are available.

Recruitment Process:

The recruitment process can be rigorous, requiring each applicant to take and pass skills–based tests and undergo an extensive background check.  The timeline to complete the entire recruitment process may take several months.
The recruitment process includes:

• Registration
• Registration Screening
• Multitasking Audio Test
• Video Based Skills Test
• Computer Based Skills Test
• Preliminary Interview
• Conditional Offer of Hire
• Extensive Background and Criminal History Check
• Polygraph Test
• Psychological Examination
• Final Interview
• Post hire physical examination , including an audiogram (hearing) and drug screen

Please note: Applicants are only allowed to reschedule for testing or interviews once during the current recruiting process. No show to any test or interview will result in the removal of consideration for employment during the current recruiting process.

The skills-based testing requires that you successfully complete each individual phase of the testing process in order to continue to the next step. If you do not pass a test you may retest after 90 days. Each of the skills based tests may not be taken more than three times. If a candidate fails to successfully pass any step during the current hiring process, he or she will be withdrawn from consideration for employment.
     
Once you have completed the preliminary interview phase, and are not invited to continue in recruiting process you may reapply for a Communications Officer I/II position one additional time after a two year waiting period.
If you are not invited to continue the recruitment process after the conditional offer is made, you will not be allowed to reapply for the Communications Officer I/II in the future. However, you are allowed to apply for other positions within Valley Communications Center

Disqualification From Employment Consideration:

As stated above, all candidates are required to successfully pass the testing and attendance requirements set by Valley Communications Center. In addition, because our staff members are a key part of the public safety system, their integrity must be beyond reproach. Valley Communications Center conducts thorough, intense and strict pre-employment background investigations on all applicants in order to determine suitability for any position. Generally, individuals who have demonstrated irresponsibility and/or poor judgment in their life choices are not hired.   

You will be disqualified from consideration for employment if you have used LSD, heroin, crack, methamphetamine, or several other illegal drugs, as this list is not all inclusive. Disqualification for marijuana use depends on how long it has been, the frequency of use and other circumstances. Failure to disclose pertinent information or attempt to conceal requested information will be grounds for disqualification. You are also unlikely to be hired if you have been convicted of a felony or have stolen money or goods from an employer (more than de minimis quantities of office supplies or copies).

Valley Communications Center is a an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran's status, disability, or any other prohibited federal, state, or local law.

The Academy and On the Job Training:

We expect the best by offering the best to our staff members. Our standards are high and testing and evaluations are done on a regular basis during each phase of training.  Therefore, failure to pass a test or failure to meet performance standards may result in termination of employment.

From the time of hire to full release as a probationary Communications Officer I is approximately a 12 month process.

Getting Started:

If this exciting opportunity sounds like the career for you, click here to complete a testing registration form!

For more information click here to visit our hiring FAQ page