Watch Specialist (Criminal Justice/Emergency Communications Specialist)

About the role

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is seeking a Watch Specialist (Criminal Justice/Emergency Communications Specialist) to join the OERS Section in Salem, Oregon.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, manage, and assist with statewide emergency notifications and incident management related to state agencies, federal partners, Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), and search and rescue.
• Independently interview callers who report incidents or request assistance from the state to determine required notifications and coordinate the appropriate response to emergency situations.
• Document critical information and incident details and share reports with federal, state, tribal, county, and local organizations.
• Create and disseminate reports to various internal and external agencies; independently verify accurate information is distributed as required by service agreements.
• Aid in the development, evaluation of, and participation in planning, training, and exercises designed to test emergency response plans and procedures.
• Maintain and monitor statewide alerts and warning information throughout the state, and to tribal, county, and local jurisdictions.

Requirements

• Two years of communications experience, with computerized systems, working in a public, private, or military agency communications center involving frequent contact and/or coordination with the public or other governmental or nongovernmental agencies.
• Note “Communications experience” includes duty as a dispatcher or other person involved in a dispatch or coordination function which is conducted by radio, telephone, and/or teletype.

Qualifications

• Experience in a public safety answering point, 9-1-1 telecommunications/dispatch center, or a role responsible for operation of the Oregon Emergency Response System (OERS).
• Experience operating computer aided dispatch systems, and/or Everbridge software, or Esri software such as ArcGIS Online.
• Completion of the Basic Intelligence and Threat Analysis Course or other FEMA recognized Intelligence Analyst training Course.
• Current or previous certification as a Telecommunicator from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) or equivalent.
• Ability to successfully pass the Criticall Screening Test (Criticall will test for reading and writing comprehension, the ability to listen to callers and type at the same time, keyboarding and data entry skills, spelling, the ability to prioritize information, and map reading).

Skills

Experience in a public safety answering point, 9-1-1 telecommunications/dispatch center, or a role responsible for operation of the Oregon Emergency Response System (OERS).

Experience operating computer aided dispatch systems, and/or Everbridge software, or Esri software such as ArcGIS Online.

Completion of the Basic Intelligence and Threat Analysis Course or other FEMA recognized Intelligence Analyst training Course.

Current or previous certification as a Telecommunicator from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) or equivalent.

Ability to successfully pass the Criticall Screening Test (Criticall will test for reading and writing comprehension, the ability to listen to callers and type at the same time, keyboarding and data entry skills, spelling, the ability to prioritize information, and map reading).

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• An 8-hour leave bank for vacation and sick leave.
• A 24-hour personal business leave per fiscal year.
• Pension and retirement programs.

Pay

The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary will reflect the 6.95% increase.

Schedule

Watch Specialists work a compressed, rotating schedule designed to support 24/7 operations. The standard schedule consists of three 12-hour shifts per week, with one additional 8-hour shift every other week. This averages 40 hours per week over each two-week pay period. On this schedule, Watch Specialists can expect to have four days off one week, and three days off the next. This allows for longer periods away from work than a traditional five-day schedule while maintaining consistent staffing and continuity for around-the-clock operations. Because the Watch Center operates continuously, this position may be assigned to a day or night shift, and scheduled workdays will include weekends and holidays. Applicants should be comfortable working extended shifts and a nontraditional schedule in a 24/7 operational environment.

Additional Information

• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary will reflect the 6.95% increase.
• Finalists will be subject to a computerized criminal history check.
• Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification.
• Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Justice Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.
• OEM does not offer visa sponsorship.