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Astoria Dispatch answers roughly 80,000 calls a year, of which approximately 13,000 are 9-1-1. From these calls Astoria Dispatch creates approximately 45,000 calls for service for police, fire and public works agencies in the Computer Aided Dispatching (CAD) system. Another 10,000 calls are received for service by other agencies such as Oregon State Police and the Coast Guard who do not subscribe to Astoria Dispatch.

Astoria Dispatch is one of two Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP's) in Clatsop County. The second PSAP is located in the City of Seaside within the Seaside Police Department. Clatsop County has a land area of 827 sq. miles with a water area of 257 sq. miles. The full-time resident population in the County is 36,798 (59% urban, 41% rural). Though the full-time resident population seems low, year-round tourism can bring the population total to over 100,000.

Communications Operators, also referred to as "911 Dispatchers", are often the first trained point of contact in an emergency. They begin the important work of obtaining essential information, remaining calm, calming others, and sending the appropriate responders to the right location. They may also provide instructions to the 911 caller, which in many cases is essential to stabilizing or saving a life. Dispatchers are responsible for performing quick, efficient, and accurate dispatching of calls and messages with public safety units and personnel in the field.

During the typical 6-8 month training period, trainees will work alongside different trainers during each training phase and work varying shifts in accordance with their trainer's assigned shift. In addition to hands-on work with a trainer, trainees will be required to attend 3 weeks of training in Salem at the Department of Public Safety Standards Training (DPSST) academy plus a 3 day Emergency Medical Dispatch certification course. There is a one year probationary period. This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement.

This is full-time shift work in a dispatch center which operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Everyone can expect to rotate through a variety of shifts including days, swing, nights, holidays and weekends with proper notice. Individuals with limited availability or who are unable to work a variety of shifts may not be well suited for this position.

In addition to the base pay range, a number of pay incentives are available to be added cumulatively to a dispatcher's pay.

• Lateral Candidates: Your prior experience and certifications are taken into consideration to set your pay within the pay range.
• Voluntary semi-annual bonus for qualified physical fitness tests
• Intermediate and Advanced Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) certificates pay premiums (3.5% each added to base pay)
• Communications Training Officer assignment and pay premium (6% added to base pay for training hours)
• Lead Dispatcher assignment and pay premium (10% added to base pay)
• Senior Communications Operator pay premium (5% added to base pay)
• Bilingual Language pay premium (5% added to base pay after testing)
• Stability Pay (2% added to base pay after 10 years)

In order to assist with relocation, the City will provide some compensation for moving expenses. Eligible expenses such as boxes, movers, rented trucks would be covered as a part of this offer and would be reimbursed after providing receipts. In accordance with IRS regulations, reimbursement for moving expenses is a taxable fringe benefit.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Due to the sensitive nature of this career, this thorough and important process can take longer than a typical hiring process. Candidates must submit application materials, complete testing and satisfy each step listed below in order to continue in the process.

APPLICATION PERIOD - August 11-September 3, 2026

Candidates complete the application and upload supporting documents and copies of relevant certifications. While cover letters and resumes are not required, this is a highly competitive process and we encourage candidates to submit these documents to share more about your education and experience.

Please send copies to hr@astoria.gov if you have any difficulty uploading documents or if you have additional documents to provide after submitting your application.

WRITTEN TESTING - MUST BE COMPLETED BY SEPT 10, 2026

After your application is submitted, we will email you a link to CritiCall to complete the required online testing.

Lateral Candidates: Candidates who are currently certified dispatchers may not need to complete the online testing according to DPSST certification requirements. We will review your application materials and communicate with you about next steps.

ORAL BOARD INTERVIEWS

CONTINGENT OFFER LETTER + BACKGROUND CHECK

Includes: Records Check (Criminal, Civil, Sex Offender, Motor Vehicle, Credit & Education Verification), Investigation, Psychological, Medical & Hearing Exams, Drug Screen

Duration: Typically, 6 to 12 weeks

CHIEF'S INTERVIEW AND FINAL OFFER

Following background check completion