Join Our Operations Team

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

Overview:

Working in an emergency dispatch center can be very demanding. However, for the right person it can be a very rewarding career. Our staff is among the best and brightest in the industry and we strive to provide excellent customer service to all who count on us. We offer a dynamic working environment, comprehensive benefits packages and the prestige of working in a nationally accredited 9-1-1 Communications Center.
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.

Wages:

Wages are based on a step system according to the terms and conditions set by the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

• Communications Officer I current base wages:

                         $22.45 per hour ($46,705.56 annual) to $26.83 per hour ($55,797.72 annual) 

• Communications Officer II current base wages:

                        $26.91 per hour ($55,964.64 annual) to $31.29 per hour ($65,087.28 annual)

Representing Authority:

Valley Communications Center Employees’ Association

Benefits:

Valley Communications Center pays for on-the-job Academy Training and eligible staff members and dependents receive medical, dental, and vision benefits the first day of the month following employment.
Medical benefits are offered through First Choice Network; Dental and Vision is is offered through Reliance Standard.
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:

• Testing Registration and Written Test Conducted by Public Safety Testing (PST) and requires a $35 fee payable to PST
• Testing Registration with Valley Communications Center (Valley Com)
• Multitasking Audio Test
• Computer Based Skills Test
• Video Based Skills Test
• Preliminary Interview
• Conditional Offer of Hire
• Polygraph Test
• Psychological Examination
• Final Interview
• Extensive Background and criminal history check
• Final Offer Letter
• 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 Valley Com initiated test or interview will result in the removal of consideration for employment during the current recruiting process.
The Valley Com 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).

The Academy and On the Job Training:

The Academy is a comprehensive 8-12 week class designed to give probationary Communications Officer I the skills and confidence needed to operate in a fast paced public safety environment. Valley Communications Centers’ training program was the first in the country to be recognized as meeting or exceeding APCO International’s Project 33 training standards.  After successfully completing the Academy, probationary Communications Officers transition into one-on-one on the job training for 8-12 weeks to apply the knowledge and skills developed during the Academy. Upon release from the Academy and on the job training, probationary Communications Officers are fully released to work on their own.
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:

ValleyCom accepts test scores on an ongoing basis from candidates however there are no current plans to further process candidates until late-2013 (or earlier if a vacancy or vacancies occur).  Candidates will only be notified if/when they are going to be further advanced in the hiring process.  This information will be updated if/when the hiring status changes. Take the test and submit your score via http://www.publicsafetytesting.com/

Valley Communications Center is 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 basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Valley Com provides reasonable accommodation to its employees and the public with disabilities, including disabled veterans.  For more information, please contact Human Resources.