Job Description

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is committed to protecting and exercising the inherent inalienable sovereign rights of the Tribe and Individuals in the interest of the Medicine Creek Treat Territories, as stewards to ensure preservation of our cultural and environmental integrity for common good and prosperity for all.

Open: September 15, 2026 Close: September 30, 2026

Job Title: Communications Officer Department: Law Enforcement

Reports To: Communications Supervisor Hours: 40 Hrs/Wk – Full Time

Salary: $27.65 Hourly + Benefits* Requisition:

(Must be Willing to Work Any Shift, Including Nights & Weekends)

*The Puyallup Tribe of Indians provides a generous benefits package that includes employer paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement/401(k) plan with profit sharing, paid holidays, and paid time off including birthday leave.

Position Summary

The Communications Officer works out of a call center, answering phone calls from citizens in need of assistance from police. Communication Officers are trained to gather information from the caller, remain calm, and then send the appropriate type of assistance and volume of units, to the caller's location, based on the information from the caller.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Continually monitors and records the location of on-duty police officers.
• Accurately and promptly takes emergency and non-emergency calls for service and dispatches patrol officers to calls for service.
• Performs driver license and wanted person queries and relays information timely using internal protocols.
• Assigns case numbers and records case notes following internal procedures.
• Uses computers and computer-aided dispatch following internal procedures.
• Continually monitors police radio traffic.
• Operates police radios using established procedures.
• Provides assistance to officers by contacting other services as needed.
• Perform other duties assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications and Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED). Strong communication skills and knowledge of computer use is required. Must be able to accurately type 35 WPM. Must be able to multitask and deal with various personality types. Must be able to deal with stressful situations and remain in control in order to provide service to the public and patrol officers.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before the public or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Licenses or Certificates/Other

Employee will be subject to a one-year probationary period after successful completion of a Dispatch Communications course.

Employee may be subject to random drug screens and other tests prior to and during the course of employment.

Must acceptably pass criminal background check prior to and periodically throughout employment.

Must have no felonies.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Requires the ability to read, write, communicate, and interpret information accurately in English.
2. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk and hear and use hands to finger, handle or feel.
3. The employee occasionally is required to sit; stand; walk; push and/or pull; kneel, stoop, crouch or crawl; reach with hands and arms.
4. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
5. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. The noise level is moderate.
2. The physical exertion is moderate.
3. Position may be stressful at times due to the sensitive or confidential issues or situations being addressed.

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Indian Preference Employer as Required by Law

H o w T o A p p l y:

Apply online at https://usr55.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/ptoiad

Online Application Tips:

1. If you are using a PC, use Chrome. If you are using a MAC, use Safari.
2. Upload additional documents (resume, cover letter, letters of recommendation, proof of Indian blood, etc.) to the resume tab as one (1) PDF file or email documents to jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov and we can add them to your online application. Please send in copies of any degrees or certificates that you have been awarded.
3. Indian Hiring Preference – send in the appropriate documentation for the category you select. If you have any questions about the hiring preference policy or what document to send in, email us at jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov or call (253) 573-7863.
4. Provide 3+ references (we cannot obtain references from direct family members – mother, father, grandparents, sisters, brothers, or children and this includes in laws). One reference must be your most recent supervisor. We prefer the rest of your references to include co-workers, subordinates, or other supervisors, but we can accept a personal reference from someone who is familiar with your work ethic, habits, and attendance. You can send in letters of recommendation to jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov
5. To add more employment, education, references, etc., click on the small + sign at the top right corner of the page.
6. When entering salaries, only use numbers. Do not use any other characters (such as , . or $)
7. After you submit your application, you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive an email, please call the office to confirm submission.

*Please do not wear perfumes, colognes, or strong scents to your interview. Some employees are allergic.

If you have any questions about the positions or the online application, please call (253) 573-7863

or email jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov.

3009 E. Portland Ave., Tacoma, WA 98404

Native American preference applies and job placements are given on a competitive basis, using job related factors. Because of the large number of applications received and limited job positions, your application will not guarantee employment.