About us
Spokane Regional Emergency Communications answers 911 emergency and Crime Check non-emergency calls for all of Spokane County. We also manage dispatching services for multiple agencies.
Our work environment includes:
- 24/7 office setting
- Supportive training
- Growth opportunities
911 Communications Officer
Do you have what it takes to be the FIRST first responder?
Do you have technical capacity? Do you want to make a difference in people's lives every day? Are you an excellent multi-tasker with a history of good decision-making skills? Are you resilient? If so, consider a recession proof career in Public Safety.
This job is NOT for everyone. To be hired, you must pass rigorous testing and background screening. Our training academy is challenging and will test your limits and capacity. For those that make it, you join an elite group of some of the smartest, hardest working people you'll ever meet. And you'll be compensated well and receive incredible benefits, including a WA State Pension.
As a Communications Officer for SREC, you will provide a critical link in the delivery of public safety service, being the first and most important contact with the citizen needing help. You will develop a timely, rapid, and accurate sense of call interpretation and decision-making/problem solving skills during stressful situations through our intensive training program. You'll need to have the ability to remain calm, show empathy, convey reassurance, and instill confidence in the caller that the proper response to their needs will result. You'll be dealing with sensitive information in a discreet and professional manner, so good judgement is necessary.
We offer:
- Comprehensive paid training starting at $30.89/hour
- Excellent medical and dental benefits and generous paid time off
- Washington State Pension
- Deferred compensation plan
- Student loan payment program
- Pet Insurance
- Discount gym membership
To perform this job, you must be:
- Reliable, dependable and reports to work consistently.
- Able to think clearly and respond quickly in a wide variety of emergency situations.
- Able to gather, organize, translate, and process information from various emergency callers in an accurate and timely manner.
- Able to accurately type 35 net words per minute while listening and conversing simultaneously.
- Able to accommodate shift work. This means working shifts that encompass 24/7 and include graveyard shifts, holidays, weekends, etc.
- Able to pass a comprehensive background check, including maintaining a record free of felony convictions.
- Able to familiarize yourself with the Spokane regional service area, including streets and landmarks.
- Able to read maps, including knowledge of adjacent areas, directions of travel, hundred blocks and freeway access.
- Able to speak the English language coherently and clearly, possessing an excellent vocabulary and verbally communicate effectively. Speaking another language in addition to English is beneficial but not a requirement.
- Able to work through complex technical tasks involving various public safety communications systems.
- Able to interact effectively with people in a multi-cultural society under extremely stressful situations.
- Able to record names and numbers rapidly and accurately.
- Able to remember numerous details and quickly re-call essential information.
- Able to work up to twelve (12) hours at a time (or longer if exigent circumstances exist), continuously wearing a communications headset, while still being able to hear and understand other outside sources to include conversations with large amount of internal and external background noise.
- Able to work as a "team" member, establish good working relationships and provide excellent internal and external customer service.
Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- 18 years of age or older at time of hire.
- Accurately types 35 net words per minute while listening and conversing simultaneously.
- Possession of or ability to obtain a driver's license valid in the Washington within 30 days of hire date.
- Successful screening and comprehensive background check.
- Ability to pass a Polygraph.
- Ability to pass psychological testing.
- Ability to pass a hearing test.
- Ability to pass a drug screening test, including THC screening.
Desired Qualifications:
- Basic experience in computer terminal operation in a Microsoft Windows environment.
- One year or more experience in the public safety field.
- CPR/AED Certification.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
- Once you make form application through our website at you will be contacted to schedule testing.
- It is recommended that you research Criticall Testing online. This is a standard emergency communications center testing software that measures your ability to type, multi-task, listen to and transcribe information, read and transcribe information, decision making skills, memory, map reading skills, and more.
- Our testing can take several hours and will include cursory background interview to ensure you meet the requirements.
- You should ensure your typing speed meets the 35 wpm minimum prior to testing. You can find many typing tests online. Practice LISTENING and typing what you hear. This is helpful.
- 10-key is also very helpful and resources can be found online.
- Candidates that schedule testing and then no-show will be disqualified from the process.