Yakima County Sheriff's Office Mission Statement

The mission of the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office is to enhance public safety, with integrity and professionalism.

The values are –

• Trustworthiness
• Responsibility
• Respect
• Fairness
• Compassion

The Yakima County Civil Service Commission is now accepting applications to form a register of eligible candidates for the position of Law Enforcement Dispatcher with the Yakima County Sheriff's Office.

Essential Job Functions

Operates a two‑way radio with multiple frequencies, dispatching law enforcement officers from multiple agencies to requests for assistance; remains current on the location and status of law enforcement personnel within Yakima County; simultaneously monitors a computer terminal, telephone callers and units in the field.

Maintains an accurate computer entry log of all calls received and transmissions made on the radio. Receives incoming calls and complaints from the public and obtains address of complainant and determines the nature of urgency of the problem. Teletypes information to the Crime Information Center in Olympia and out of State.

Monitors transmissions of (5) radio frequencies, intercom and scanners, keeping abreast of the police activities of other agencies.

Gathers pertinent information and enters case reports and their dispositions into the computer.

In emergency situations, where units of more than one county department or units from other jurisdictions are involved, serves as coordinator and dispatches needed manpower and/or equipment.

Other Job Functions

Performs other job related duties as required.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

Work is performed indoors and includes long periods in a seated position in a secured office; walking, stooping, kneeling, standing and light lifting.

There is limited opportunity for physical movement; lunch and rest periods may vary when the number of calls is greater than anticipated; lunch and rest periods must be taken within the Communication Center as the workload permits.

Mental stress may occur from the nature and urgency of the services provided.

Equipment Operated

Telephone, two-way radio, scanner, intercom, tape recorder, TDD Machine for the hearing impaired, radio console, computer terminal, alarms, Mobile Command Post.

Minimum Qualifications:

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of office and clerical practices and procedures; Ability to learn governmental organization and the operation of the criminal justice system; geographical area of Yakima County; operate a complicated two‑way radio under stress, with accuracy in a calm and efficient manner; conduct telephone interviews to obtain specific information; learn, retain and apply laws, rules, procedures and regulations; prioritize incoming and outgoing information and calls; communicate effectively and speak clearly and concisely; maintain accurate computer entry logs and reports; ability to type (keyboard) at a minimum of 30 net words per minute; ability to read, write and speak the English language.

 Experience and Training: A minimum of one year of clerical experience, preferably including some experience as a dispatcher; or any combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities as outlined above.

Yakima County Sheriff's Office - Law Enforcement Dispatcher has 3 vacancies.

The eligibility list is a continuous listing and maintained as scores are received from PST with oral board interviews conducted on an as-needed basis. Vacancies are filled by Civil Service "rule of five" with the top five candidates forwarded to the appointing authority for background investigation & selection as vacancies occur.

Salary is $28.67 -  $36.36 USD  per hour.  Bi-Lingual English/Spanish premium pay, plus excellent benefits. 

Located in Central Washington, Yakima County is large (4,200 square miles) and diverse. Residents enjoy 300 days of sunshine each year and four distinct seasons. Yakima County is ranked first in the state in agricultural production, and is one of the top five areas in the nation in production of specialty crops. Irrigated farmlands and rolling foothills provide a backdrop to the nearby Cascade Mountains. Around 70 percent of the County’s 226,000 residents live in its 14 cities, towns and urban growth areas. The unique blend of rural and urban lifestyle choices offers a quality of living unsurpassed in the Northwest. Learn more atwww.visityakima.com

Yakima County Benefits:

Eligibility for benefits depend on the type of position you hold, Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact Yakima County Human Resources for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Health Benefits

Yakima County offers comprehensive health coverage benefits to eligible employees. The County also contributes generously to reduce Employee premium costs for Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.

• Medical, Prescription and Vision Coverage

• Dental Coverage (Add dependents for no additional charge)

• Basic Life and long-term disability Insurance Coverage (paid for by the employer) with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Employee benefit that provides private and confidential counseling assistance at no cost to the Employee and qualified dependents for a specified number of visits.

• Health Reimbursement Account- Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association (HRA- VEBA)- Employer contributions to this account will be dependent upon your health plan selection and enrollment in a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan.

• Health Savings Account (HSA)- Employee and Employer contributions to this account will be dependent upon your health plan selection and enrollment in a Consumer-Directed Health Plan (CDHP).

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)- Employee paid with tax-deferred wages for qualified Health or Dependent Care expenses.

• Voluntary Benefits – Access to additional term life, critical illness, disability and other insurance plans at group rates.

Retirement

Employees in position eligible positions are required to participate in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) Public Employees Retirement Systems (PERS) plan, the Public Safety Employees Retirement System (PSERS) plan, or the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters (LEOFF) plan.

• Employees and Yakima County contributes jointly to the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) plans for Employees in position eligible positions.

• 457 Deferred Compensation Program (DCP): County employees can contribute to tax-deferred plans to enhance their retirement and decrease their current taxable income.

• Pension Plan (Dependent upon Collective Bargaining Agreements)

• Yakima County participates in the Social Security Program, which provides protection against the loss of earnings due to retirement, death, or disability.

Holidays

Yakima County provides eligible Employees with 10 paid holidays and two unpaid holidays* per year.

*For observation of religious holidays

Paid Leave

Eligibility for Time Off plans vary between Collective Bargaining Units. The monthly accrual rate increases based on length of County service.

• Vacation Time (Annual Leave (AL) or Paid Time Off (PTO))

• Sick Leave (Washington Paid Sick Leave (WPSL) and Extended Sick Leave (ESL) or Sick Leave.)

• Compensatory Time (Employee choice to accrue in lieu of Overtime Pay)

• Floating Holidays

• Alternate Holiday (if you work on an observed holiday, time off will be taken on an alternate day)

• Military Leave- WA State provides members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.