Hi Tami! I can't believe I just happened to pop in and see your post. I'm running on empty right now so I hope I don't ramble. Up 23 hours...don't know why I do this to myself. LOL! To address the blowing your chance thing - state rules regarding responding on the interview invitation is pretty strict but you can just reapply and get back on I believe. Anyway, looks like that's not an issue now for you. Things happen and they take that into account. OSP is ALWAYS looking for more dispatchers. We have a couple openings in Central Point as well but they haven't called for the list yet. One thing I will say is that if you don't make it this time out, keep trying because once in a blue moon we'll get a few applicants that have a lot of experience, but it doesn't mean that we wouldn't want others as well. That happened here this last year. We had some great potentials that had no experience (we are down to hiring people as calltakers with no experience with the intent to train them as dispatchers once they are done training as calltakers...), but we had two seasoned 911 dispatchers that moved to the area who just blew those folks out of the water. But the next round of hiring we had 2 more with no experience we hired. So obviously with experience, you'll automatically have an advantage. The skills test - I believe Salem uses the same one we have. It's a dispatch simulator where you sit at a computer with headphones on and you will hear people giving descriptions of cars, people, events, etc, and you need to accurately log the information . It's pretty simple really but it tests your ability to take information and enter it out of order, jumping around the fields on the screen and taking notes on the pertinent information. Much like what we already do. I wouldn't sweat it really - if you are already a dispatcher you probably won't have a problem with it unless you don't work on a CAD system. Even still, it's not hard for those who don't use a CAD because it's more about your thinking process than typing skills. Of course, typing fast only helps. So do you dispatch at OSU then? We had a trooper just transfer down from Albany who's wife apparently worked there. I can't remember her name though....isn't that awful? If you are at OSU you must already be familiar with 12-code since you dispatch the campus troops, right? Of course, I'm making an assumption here. Yikes! I know I'm rambling now!!! ;) Anyway, I wish you all the best and if you have any questions feel free to email me. As for the rest of you fine dispatchers here on this board, I'm going to come back after I get some sleep and catch up. I've been away too long! I loved how this board was getting busy...we need to keep it up! Dina http://www.saveosp.org http://www.javajabbers.com

Hi, my name is Tami. I am a dispatcher for a public safety office in Salem at a large college. I love dispatching, but would love to have more excitment. Well, yesterday when I got home from work I had a call from the Oregon State Police Dispatch center in Salem wanting to know if I was still interested in a Telecommunicator II job...I am of course. She said that they are short and calling people on the eligble list. I am so, so excited! I go in for a typing test and a skills test next Monday. I think I will do ok on the typing, but what is a skills test? Any one know what I should expect? On the 22nd they are doing interviews for the people that pass the testing. How long does the hiring process take? I am just so excited! I thought I had blown my chance with the OSP. I was a self pay for my WLS. I went to Spain, and when I was there, I got a letter from them saying they were doing there testing and interviewing. You had to call them to set up a time, but if you were not interested at that time you had to send in this card...if you didn't send in the card before the 'end date' you would be marked as 'failure to respond' and be taken off the list. I was so bummed when I got back from Spain and found I was well past the time frame. I almost called and told them I was still interested, but didn't want to sound desperate. Also, I was way to tired and not quick in the head at that moment to do a test if they wanted me to. So maybe it worked out for the best! Anyway, I am babbling on and on...lol. I am just so happy and hope that someone will give me some pointers. Only a few days till Monday. You can bet I will be practicing my typing speed and accuracy. Thankyou and hugs, Tami post op 11/30/05 Dr. Baltasar of Spain Lap BPD/DS SW407 CW303 GW180 -104lbs Only three more lubs to go till I am in the twos!!! Yeah! I have not been in the twos since I was a teenager!

Hey fellow dispatchers! Well, I was appointed on tues night and sworn in on wed as a class I special officer. It's nothing major, but it does make for more money and more hours at work. I'll be able to do the typical "meter maid" duties and also ride along with the class II's or regular patrols to assist on some calls. It's the first big stepping stone on my way to becoming a regular officer. I'm still waiting for my LE exam date to be sent out. I'm hoping it'll be soon. Of course I'll also be dispatching until I get a regular police job. I can't complain though. I love my job and it's opened up a lot of doors for over the past couple of years. I'm just very tired of the politics in this little town. So much drama all the time. But that's a long story and I won't subject you all to it now. Have a great night everyone. Carol

Thanks for the continued support Paula! I hope that ketosis goes away soon, I *knock on wood* have never had it., aside from th enormal morning breath. I have tried everything to get myself to sleep during the day, I have tried mid afternoon, evening sleep, blakc windows, sleep masks,otc sleep aides, even the prescription meds didn't work , I tried Ambien CR and Lunesta (it puts me to sleep super fast, but I don't sleep past 3-4 hours and that is not near enough for me) the whole situation is very frustrating and right now, there is nothing I would love more then to give my notice to this place, the lack of suport and loyalty is incredible There are a couple of people who aren't that good as dispatchers, constantly call off, create problems, but the office bedns over backwards forthem, then others, like me who are decent at the job, show up on time, don't call off often etc and they couldn't care less if we walk out the door or not.. Oh well, everything happens for a reason, I guess I am meant to stay here a little longer *sigh* eventually I will get moved, or get out.. one or the other. thanks again for the support, it means alot to me..

I talked to the guy who does the scheduling this morning before I left work and asked about my move to another shift, he told me to talk to the deputy director, since he is in charge of it.. leading me to beleive that they are not actively working on a change, OK, I was all prepared to let them know, I can't do this much longer, and that I am going to start looking for a new job, not as a threat, but what I need to do.. then I went to the Dr today about leg pain I am having, turns out the lymph problem I had in my arm earlier this year has now manifested in my leg.. my PCP isn't sure how to treat it, he wants me to see a specialist in blood disease and another specialist, but he isn't sure who he should send me to (not a big confidence builder , one reason I was ,and in the meantime wants me to see my surgeon for GB, he thinks they may be related.. don't ask me why since the problem didn't start until I was 7 month post op...luckily I have an appt on the 18th for my year follow up , so I will ask him then.. but in the meantime, who knows what will happen, what it will require, so I can't afford to be without insurance... I am stuck working this shift, and feeling lousy and tired all the time