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City of Lake Oswego, OR

911 Dispatcher / Communications Operator

City of Lake Oswego, OR, Lake Oswego, Oregon, United States, 97034


Salary :

$57,722.16 - $72,574.08 Annually

Location :

Lake Oswego, OR

Job Type:

Full Time

Job Number:

2024-06-3005

Department:

Police Department

Opening Date:

05/29/2024

Closing Date:

8/2/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit:

LOPOA

The Position

The City is seeking qualified individuals who are interested in becoming Communications Operators to join our 9-1-1 Communications team. Located in the northwestern corner of Clackamas County, on the banks of the scenic Willamette River and hugging the shore of a 405-acre lake, Lake Oswego is a community rich with art, culture, historic resources, quality schools, vibrant business districts, and an abundance of activities and events for all ages.

Working out of the newly constructed Police and City Hall facility in downtown Lake Oswego, the Department has a number of resources to provide exceptional levels of service while offering a number of opportunities to Dispatchers such as Senior Communications Officer, Shift Leader, Quality Assurance Evaluator and Training Officer. The Lake Oswego Communications Center (LOCOM) is a division of the Lake Oswego Police Department along with Sworn Police Officers, Non-sworn Community Service Officers, Evidence, Records and Administrative personnel. In addition, on-site Behavioral Health Specialist, Peer Support Team, Chaplain, and fitness facility round out the valuable support for the Department and community.

Respect, Excellence, Trust, and Service guide our values-driven organization in our mission to cultivate an exceptional quality of life for everyone in our community. This dedication to service and collaborative City approach has garnered tremendous community and elected official support for our team and earned our department a 92% overall satisfaction rating (2023).

As part of their duties, Communications Operators provide 24-hour 9-1-1 and non-emergency call answering and dispatching service for police, fire and medical. In addition to Lake Oswego, our Communications Operators answer and dispatch calls for the communities of West Linn, Milwaukie, Riverdale, Dunthorpe, Alto Park, and Lake Grove. Service is provided to an estimated 90,000 citizens. Communications Operators also provide after-hour Records service for all Clackamas County Municipalities.

Communications Operators can expect to work closely with the various departments of each city; receive and respond to incoming telephone and radio communications, including both 9-1-1 emergency situations and routine public safety service requests; determine the nature of calls and deploy the appropriate personnel and equipment; operate several computers with multiple monitors, radio control equipment, telephone, digital recording equipment, and alarm equipment; and monitor the radio for activities within other City departments and surrounding agencies.

This is a non-uniformed, civilian position responsible for all dispatching duties to support enforcement of laws and ordinances and public caregiving. An employee in this class is under the direct supervision of a Shift Supervisor. Incumbents in this class report to a higher professional classification, such as Supervisor, Manager, Police Captain and Chief of Police. This position is represented by the Lake Oswego Police Officers Association (LOPOA).Education and Experience Requirements

To qualify, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, have no felony conviction, be at least 18 years of age, have as a minimum a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent, type at least 45 wpm, the ability to successfully complete a thorough background investigation and post-offer psychological and medical examination, including pre-employment drug screen. This position is subject to mandatory participation in electronic funds transfer (EFT) for payment of net wages (i.e., Direct Deposit or PayCard).

For a complete list of the essential duties, knowledge, skills and abilities required, and physical and mental demands please review the complete job description at

As a result of this process, the Department will establish an eligibility list effective for one year. This is subject to change at the discretion of the City.

If selected to continue through the process, you will be contacted with instruction for next steps.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

July 1, 2024, the annual Cost of Living adjustment for this position will be an increase between 2% and 4%.

BENEFITS AVAILABLE:Medical Insurance choice between traditional indemnity plan or health maintenance organization (HMO)

Aetna full family medical and dental coverage $120/mo (current cost)Kaiser Permanente full family medical and dental coverage $92/mo (current cost)

Sick Leave Upon Hire: New and lateral hires scheduled to work a forty (40) hour work week will receive the equivalent of six (6) months (48 hours) of sick leave upon hire rather than accruing sick leave on a monthly basis. Upon completion of the six (6) months, they will accrue sick leave monthly as described in Article 26.1 of the LOPOA labor agreement.Education Reimbursement Program INCENTIVE PAY AVAILABLE:Education and certifications at the completion of field training and DPSST Basic or career telecommunicator development Academy.

5% for two years of college-level course work or DPSST Intermediate Certificate6% for two years of college-level course work and DPSST Intermediate Certificate10% for a four-year degree or DPSST Advanced Certificate11% for a four-year degree and DPSST Advanced Certificate15% for an advanced college degree (Master's or Doctorate Degree)

Employees who are determined by the City to be fluent in additional languages shall receive an additional 5% of their base pay.Shift Differential - Employees regularly assigned to work graveyard shift shall receive an additional 5% of their base pay for all hours worked in their graveyard shift.Premium pay assignments - Training Officers shall receive an additional 5% of their base pay while so assigned.Employees who have worked twelve (12) months as Step 6 Communications Operator with satisfactory performance and employed at least 180 days may be promoted to Step 5 of Senior Communications Operator pay range.Longevity pay for more than six (6), nine (9) and twelve (12) consecutive years of service with the Lake Oswego Police Department.RETIREMENT:

Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Member contributions are paid on your behalf by the City.City maintains a 457 deferred compensation plan and contributes 2.5% of base salary into the employee deferred compensation account.LATERAL COMMUNICATIONS OPERATORS

In recognition of their previous work experience, qualified lateral Communication Operators are eligible for the following additional benefits and incentives:

Qualified lateral Communications Operators will receive additional pay for college course work and/or DPSST Certification at the time of hire as described above.Qualified lateral Communications Operators will be eligible to receive up to sixty (60) hours of banked vacation time.Qualified lateral Communications Operators may be considered for accelerated vacation accrual rates based on their time as a Certified Communications Operators.To qualify as a lateral Communications Operators with the Lake Oswego Police Department, you must currently be employed as a Communications Operators, be certified with the Oregon DPSST as a Telecommunicator, have completed a field training and evaluation training program, have three (3) current years of transferable dispatching experience, and be in good standing with a State of Oregon 9-1-1 Communications Agency.

For more detailedinformation on medical plans, benefits, incentives, and premiums, please review the BENEFITS tab on the job posting, or the full Lake Oswego Police Officers' Association Labor Agreement:Supplemental Information

IMPORTANT

READ TO THE END AND COMPLETE THE STEPS UNDER "APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Entry Level and Lateral

(All applicants)

1. ApplicationApplications must be submitted to Incomplete applications will not be accepted and resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application. The City application must be submitted to by : 5:00 P.M. Friday, AUGUST 2, 2024.

2. Pre-Employment ProfileIn order to be considered for employment with the Lake Oswego Police Department Communications Center,

you must complete and attach the supplemental questionnaire form called "Non-Sworn Pre- Employment Profile."

You will find the Pre-Employment Profile form at the link below. Please complete the questionnaire and then attach the document to your on-line application. Any 'Yes' answers in the Pre-Employment Profile document must have an explanation. Those explanations may be attached on a supplemental page in either a WORD or PDF document. You must complete this step before you certify and submit your application.

Link to the Non-Sworn Pre-Employment Profile :

If you have questions regarding this step of the process, please feel free to contact Human Resources at 503-534-4244 or

SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITSLake Oswego Police Officers' Association (LOPOA) Members

The following material is a brief summary of each benefit and does not replace or supersede any provisions of the insurance contracts.

Vacation accruals in Article 24

Deferred compensation percentages in Article 8The City will contribute a total of 2.5% of base salary into individual employee deferred compensation accounts per pay period. Base salary does not include incentive or assignment pay. The City accepts no liability for the success or failure of individual investment programs. This selection is subject to applicable tax rules.

Shift differential for night shift in Article 8Employees regularly assigned to work graveyard shift shall receive five percent (5%) of their base pay for all hours worked in their graveyard shift. This graveyard shift differential does not apply if the employee works overtime on day or swing shifts, or if an employee regularly scheduled to work day or swing shift works graveyard overtime.

Incentive schedules in Article 9Incentive pay will be given to those employees who meet the requirements contained herein and have made a written request submitting proof of college-level course work and/or certification of the degree obtained to the Police Department. An eligible employee shall begin to receive such additional pay the first of the month following receipt of such proof of qualification, and shall lose incentive pay the first of the month following ineligibility.

Incentive pay requirements are as follows:Option 1. Two (2) years of college-level course work or Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Intermediate Certificate/ Dispatcher Certification, and has maintained satisfactory performance;OrOption 2. Two (2) years of college-level course work and Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Intermediate Certificate/Dispatcher Certification, and has maintained satisfactory performance;OrOption 3. Four (4) year college degree or Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Advanced Certificate/Dispatcher Certification, and has maintained satisfactory performance;OrOption 4. Four (4) year college degree and Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Advance Certificate/Dispatcher Certification, and has maintained satisfactory performance.OrOption 5. Advanced college degree (Master's or Doctorate Degree)

No new employee shall receive incentive pay until their successful completion of FTEP and their DPSST basic or career officer development Academy training. A lateral employee who meets the education Incentive pay requirements, as set forth above, will be eligible for the applicable incentive pay upon hire.

Employees who are eligible for incentive pay shall receive five percent (5%) of the top step for their classification upon satisfying the requirements on Option 1 above; six percent (6%) of the top step for their classification upon satisfying the requirements on Option 2 above; ten percent (10%) of the top step for their classification upon satisfying the requirements of Option 3 above; eleven percent (11%) of the top step for their classification upon satisfying the requirements on Option 4 above; or fifteen percent (15%) of the top step for their classification upon satisfying the requirements on Option 5 above.

Longevity pay structure in Article 8a. Those who have more than six (6) consecutive years of service in the bargaining unit will be paid an additional three percent (3%) of base wages.b. Those who have more than nine (9) consecutive years of service in the bargaining unit will be paid an additional four percent (4%) of base wages.c. Those who have more than twelve (12) consecutive years of service in the bargaining unit will be paid an additional five percent (5%) of base wages.

Current Summary of BenefitsLake Oswego

Police Officers' Association (LOPOA) Members

The following material is a brief summary of each benefit and does not replace or supersede any provisions of the insurance contracts.

Medical Insurance

You may choose between a traditional indemnity plan or a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan. Coverage includes you and your dependents. Each plan includes a vision and prescription drug benefit.

Under the indemnity plan, Aetna Medical, once the participating provider out-of-pocket limti has been met, this plan will pay 100% of covered charges for participating and network not available providers. If you select Aetna Medical, your vision benefit will be provided by VSP Well Vision.

The HMO plan, Kaiser Permanente, guarantees delivery of necessary health services, which is provided exclusively by their own providers

Dental Insurance

The City provides a choice of comprehensive coverage through Moda Health (Delta Dental) and Kaiser Permanente. With your choice, you will have access to a plan that includes preventive, routine and major dental care, as well as orthodontic benefits (for child dependents only).

Life Insurance

The City provides a term life insurance benefit in the amount of the employee's annual base salary to a cap of $50,000. The plan also includes an accidental death and dismemberment benefit. You can choose to purchase additional life insurance for you and/or your spouse in increments of $10,000. You may also purchase life insurance in the amount of $2,000 for each eligible dependent at minimal cost. (Standard Life Insurance Company).

Long Term Disability Insurance

The City provides you with long-term disability (LTD) insurance up to $3,600 per month, following a 90-day waiting period. An employee may purchase additional coverage at his/her own expense. (Standard Life Insurance Company).

Workers' Compensation Insurance

You are provided workers' compensation insurance in accordance with Oregon Revised Statutes.

Public Employees Retirement Systems (PERS)

The City of Lake Oswego is a member of the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Benefits paid by PERS are funded from two sources:

member contributions* paid on your behalf by the City; andemployer contributions*.(*Contributions are made six months after employment unless you are currently a member of PERS).

You become vested with PERS when contributions have been made in each of five calendar years.

Employee Assistance Program

You and your family can receive up to six (6) free confidential counseling sessions per incident per year, as well as other benefits, such as free legal consultation and first time home owner assistance. EAP coverage is provided by uprisehealth.

Voluntary Employee Benefits Account (VEBA)

The City has established a Voluntary Employee Benefits Account (VEBA) to be used for medical expenses pre and post retirement. The City will contribute a dollar amount into your account as specified with the terms of the LOPOA collective bargaining agreement, as authorized by IRS Code 501(c)(9). Accumulated sick leave paid will be paid as a cash equivalent into the VEBA account. Additional information available in Human Resources.

457 Deferred Compensation plan

The City maintains a deferred compensation plan and contributes 2.5% of our base salary into an individual employee deferred compensation account per pay period.

Optional Benefits

Flexible Spending Account -

The City offers a Flexible Spending Account Program after your have been employed with the City for six months. FSA's allow eligible employees to pay for non-covered health related expenses and child care expenses with tax-free income. In addition, you may use the FSA Premium Only Account to help cover the cost of your portion of the City's medical and dental insurance premiums. You do not need to wait six months to participate in the premium only portion.

Holidays

The City of Lake Oswego recognizes the following holidays during the calendar year.

1. Four hours New Years Eve*2 New Year's Day3. Martin Luther King's Birthday4. President's Day5. Independence Day6. Labor Day7. Memorial Day8. Veteran's Day9. Thanksgiving Day10. Friday Following Thanksgiving Day11. Four Hours Christmas Eve*12. Christmas Day13. Juneteenth13. Personal Holiday

When Christmas Day or New Year's Day falls on Tuesday through Friday.

In lieu of holidays, LOPOA employees shall accrue ten hours credit for each full month worked. The employee may elect to take the credit as compensatory time off at a time mutually agreeable to the supervisor and the employee.

Vacation

Paid vacation time accrues on a yearly basis as follows:

0-3 years: (8 hrs per month)4-9 years: (11 hrs per month)10-16 years: (14.33 hrs per month)17+ years: (16.67 hrs per month)

Vacation may be accrued to a maximum of two years with the approval of your supervisor.

Sick Leave

Sick leave accrues on a monthly basis at a rate of eight hours per each month worked. Sick leave may be used when you are unable to work due to illness or injury, or to attend a member of the immediate family, as defined in the LOPOA contract, when they are sick or injured. Sick leave may be accumulated to not more than 1100 hours sick leave use.

01

At what speed do you type accurately? Words Per Minute?

02

Are you available and willing to work various shifts and weekends?

YesNo

03

Do you have experience using a computer aided dispatch system?

YesNo

04

(If you marked yes above, please describe this experience, including your employer and job title.)

05

Do you have telephone work experience?

YesNo

06

If you marked yes above, did/does this experience involve the operation of a multi-line telephone system?

YesNo

07

If you have telephone work experience, please describe this experience, including your employer and job title.

08

Do you have experience involving public contact?

YesNo

09

(If you marked yes above, please describe this experience, including your employer and job title.)

10

Do you have experience in a public safety communications center?

YesNo

11

(If you marked yes above, please describe this experience, including your employer and job title.)

12

Do you know what needs to be accomplished for you to become certified as a telecommunicator or emergency medical dispatcher in Oregon?

YesNo

13

If you marked yes above, please explain.

14

Do you have any other experience not described in previous questions that you feel is relevant to the position of Communications Operator?

YesNo

15

If you marked yes above, please explain.

16

**Important** I acknowledge and understand that in order to be considered for employment with the Lake Oswego Police Department, I must also complete and attach the supplemental questionnaire form called "Evidence Technicians, Police Records and Communications Operators: Non-Sworn Pre Employment Profile".Before you submit your application, you must roll back to step 1 of the application process, scroll down to Attachments and upload your completed Pre Employment Profile form. You will find the Pre Employment Profile form at the link below. Please complete the questionnaire in either WORD or PDF and then attach the document to your on-line application. You must complete this step before you certify and submit your application. Link: http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/hr/recruitment-support-documents

YesNo

Required Question