911 Dispatch Position

Thurston 911 Communications (TCOMM) - 911 Dispatcher

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PROFILE DISCLAIMER

The information herein is provided by the respective agency and is only as accurate and as up-to-date as the agency representative(s) update this information. PST is not responsible for the veracity of this data as it is provided directly from the agency. It is ultimately the applicant's responsibility to verify any information about the agency with the agency.

Thurston 911 Communications (TCOMM) - 911 Dispatcher

Last updated on April 30, 2024
PST Partner Agency since November 07, 2015

Important Information

Candidates interested in applying to a position with Thurston 911 Communications (TCOMM) must pass the PST typing test with a score of 40 WPM and a 90% accuracy rate or better to be eligible.

PST testing is not required for LATERAL APPLICANTS. LATERAL APPLICANTS are invited to apply directly through TCOMM at Job Opportunities | Thurston 9-1-1 Communications Careers (governmentjobs.com)

Community Information

Thurston County is located at the southern end of the Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest. Mount Rainier and the Cascades are nearby to the east, while Washington's Pacific coast is just a short distance away to the west. Thurston County is located 60 miles south of Seattle, and 100 miles north of Portland. Thurston County is home to Washington’s state capital, the city of Olympia, and is in close proximity to neighboring cities, Lacey and Tumwater. The County is now home to about 300,000 residents with approximately half living in the urban tri-city area, while others prefer the smaller cities and towns of Yelm, Tenino, Rainier, Bucoda, and the unincorporated Thurston County area.

Thurston County has a number of freshwater lakes, miles of hiking and biking paths in the 110,000-acre Capital State Forest, public prairie lands, and the adjoining 3,700-acre Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, all of these provide many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Clean air, clean water, a healthy economy, and close proximity to major metropolitan areas make Thurston County one of the most desirable places in the country to live, work, and play.

Department Information

TCOMM receives and dispatches all 911 emergency calls for help from within the County. TCOMM provides dispatch services to all law enforcement (except Washington State Patrol), Fire Districts and Departments, and Medic One in the County. TCOMM also owns, operates, and manages the Thurston County Public Safety Radio network.

TCOMM is an independent, non-profit governmental agency. Established by an intergovernmental agreement and incorporated as a 501(c)3 charitable organization, the agency is governed by an eight-member Board of Directors known as the Administration Board. In addition to the Administration Board, a ten-member Operations Board is established within the intergovernmental agreement.

TCOMM telecommunications professionals are available 24 hours a day, seven days week to receive and record both 911 and ten-digit emergency calls from the public. These calls are dispatched at the appropriate level of public safety response based on protocols determined in conjunction with law enforcement, fire service and Medic One.

Area Information

County: Thurston
Population: 300,000
# of Staff: 76

Hiring Status

TCOMM 911 recruits continuously for Public Safety Telecommunicators.  Please apply now at tcomm911.org/employment to be included in our next hiring process. Candidates will only be notified if/when they will advance in the hiring process. For more information please visit www.tcomm911.org.

Salary Information

2024 Salary Range: $5,539/month to $7,152/month

Benefit Information

Full employee medical, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long-term disability; Deferred Compensation (457b) employer match; Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); paid vacation and sick leave, and holiday pay.

Thurston 911 Communications (TCOMM) - 911 Dispatcher Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination Yes, required
Typing Test Yes, required

The typing test is a critical component of your written test score and you are required to complete the online typing test within 90 days (before or after) your written exam. You will be allowed four (4) attempts at the typing test every seven (7) days and are responsible for selecting the score that you want PST to forward to the agencies you have applied with.

35 WPM; 90% Accuracy

Minimum Age 18
Citizenship US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Driver's License Required Yes
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult May be a disqualifier.
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile Will be carefully reviewed on a case by case basis
Ability to Read, Speak & Write the English Language Yes
Vision Requirements Correctable to 20/20
College Requirement No
Prior Experience Requirement One (1) year of customer service experience.
Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We only consider the most recent score
Request/Access Scores Twice or More Annually
Dispatch Typing Test 40 WPM and 90% Accuracy

Thurston 911 Communications (TCOMM) - 911 Dispatcher Disqualifiers

The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.

Category Disqualifier
Drug Usage
Automatic No marijuana use in the past 12 months from the date of hire.

Contact Information

Thurston 911 Communications (TCOMM) - 911 Dispatcher

2703 Pacific Avenue SE, Suite A
Olympia, WA 98501 Thurston County
360-704-2733

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Agency Test Requirements
Written Examination: Yes, required
Typing Test: Yes, required