Dispatchers needed in Wasco County

Dispatch Supervisor Shelbi Atoe said baristas can share similar skills as dispatchers. “They multitask, have great customer service skills. And sometimes it’s their voice too. ‘You’re very clear, great radio voice.’”

The dispatch center is short three positions, and the Wasco County Board Commissioners recently agreed to hire two contract dispatchers, who they hope will start at the first of the year, Silver said.

The dispatcher shortage is nationwide, she said. It’s a tough job: shift work, long hours, irate callers, intense — sometimes horrific — situations.

But it’s a deeply rewarding job, too. Dispatchers have a deep camaraderie. “We’re a family,” Silver said. “And we’re the ones that are there when citizens need somebody, and there’s a lot of gratification from that. You can leave a shift thinking, ‘I accomplished something. I did something great today.’”

If you want to test your mettle, go online and look for free “CritiCall” practice tests, Silver said. Even if someone doesn’t pass (CritiCall is a hard test and Wasco County doesn’t use it) but comes close, “there’s a good possibility they could probably do this job.”

Dispatchers work with an array of seven computer screens, dispatching for 10 fire/medical agencies and two police agencies, so multitasking is a must. Being an adrenaline junkie is a bonus. Good spelling helps, too, as does a sense of humor.

Being adaptable and reliable are key as well since everything from procedures to schedules regularly change, Atoe said.

The most important trait for a successful dispatcher, however, is confidence. “As long as you show confidence in what you’re doing, you can get through it,” Atoe said. “Lack of confidence can lead to mistakes, and while those are great teaching points, we want to do our best work.”

Dispatchers must make quick decisions with little to no errors, Atoe said. They need to know a great deal, including the specific procedures for all the agencies they dispatch for.

It’s also important to have a thick skin while being empathetic and non-judgmental. “We’re not here to place judgment and place blame; we want people that call in to get the resources for what they need,” Silver said.

Even police officers who come into the dispatch center shake their heads and say, “We could never do this job,” Silver said. Dispatchers are certified by the same entity as police, the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, and starting in 2030, their retirement category will be “hazardous workers,” the same as police and fire.

And while the dispatch center is short-staffed, they cannot hire just anyone. “This job is so important, we can’t hire the wrong people, no matter what,” Silver said.

The hiring process, including a number of written tests, an oral board, a background check and a psychological evaluation, can take up to two months.

“Even though this job requires us to work weekends, holidays, and sometimes long hours, I have been doing it for almost 21 years and would never want to do anything else,” Silver said. “Come join us if you are looking for a career instead of a job. This is a great opportunity to be-come part of a team with excellent camaraderie and rewarding work.”

Visit co.wasco.or.us/jobposting_detail_T9_R357.php to apply.