Police Administrative Support series: Police Desk Clerk - Multiple Vacancies

The Position

The Portland Police Bureau is hiring two (2) Police Desk Clerks.

Are you interested in criminal justice? Do you enjoy working in fast-paced environments and pride yourself on your excellent customer service? You may be the Police Desk Clerk we are looking for!

Job Appointment: Full Time, Regular

Work Schedule: Some Police Desk Clerks work in a 24-hour facility, which may require working day, evening or night shifts, weekends and/or holidays in addition to emergency response. All Police Desk Clerks will work 4 days a week - 10 hour shifts (with 3 days off).

Work Location: Current vacancies exist at the Central Precinct 1111 SW 2nd Ave Portland, OR.

Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position.

Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position is or may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees

Union Representation: This position is represented by AFSCME 189. External applicants start at the entry rate. For more information on the union agreement please visit https://www.portland.gov/bhr/employee-relations/labor-relations/labor-agreements

Entry

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3 Year 4

Hourly Rate

$29.72

$30.60

$31.53

$32.48 $34.09

Application Materials: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to respond to the supplemental questions and attach a resume.

Position Summary

The City of Portland is seeking multiple (2) Police Desk Clerks to join the Portland Police Bureau. Police Desk Clerks provide crucial administrative support to sworn members by accessing and supplying confidential information, while also assisting the public in person and via phone. Maintaining composure and delivering excellent customer service, especially in tense situations, are essential.

As the first point of contact for the public, Police Desk Clerks are responsible for exhibiting initiative, integrity, and punctuality throughout their 10-hour shifts. They must assess the needs of individuals effectively and deliver accurate information to sworn personnel, as inaccuracies could lead to liability for the City of Portland and the Portland Police Bureau.

Candidates must obtain a Law Enforcement Data Systems (LEDS) certification within three (3) months of hire. Training and certification will be provided on-site. Graduating high school seniors and GED candidates are encouraged to apply.

As a Police Desk Clerk, You Will

• Provide exceptional customer service to internal and external stakeholders, handling sensitive and confidential interactions with integrity.
• Assist sworn PPB members by accessing confidential information and offering administrative support using RegJIN, LEDS, and other internal systems.
• Ensure that non-Bureau personnel are checked in and escorted by Bureau members to maintain building security.
• Manage multiple tasks while responding to frequent interruptions.
• Address inquiries and complaints in person and over the phone, while monitoring police radios and security cameras.
• Utilize various computer systems to research, retrieve, and report information as needed to support officers and the public.
  
  

Who You Are

• Excellent Communicator: You communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Organized: You can manage multiple tasks with interruptions, and respond to various situations in a fast-paced environment.
• Punctual: You demonstrate reliability and consistent attendance.
• Empathetic: You understand diverse perspectives and convey empathy in your work and communication style.
• Team player: You thrive in a work environment that supports and maintains others effectively, efficiently with fluid adaptability.
  
  

Have a Question?

Contact Information

Jaclyn Snyder, Recruiter

Bureau of Human Resources

[email protected]

To Qualify

Qualifications

The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

• Experience deescalating situations and resolving conflicts.
• Ability to provide services to customers who may be distraught, upset, or in mental distress.
• Experience using multiple computer applications and databases to maintain files and research information.
• Experience providing customer service by communicating accurate, detailed information in writing, over the phone, and in-person.
• Ability to manage an unpredictable and ever-changing workload with competing priorities and frequent interruptions.
• Ability to learn rules, regulations, and/or procedures to properly inform the public and assist members of the bureau.
  
  

Applicants Must Also

• Be able to successfully pass an in-depth background investigation.
• Be able to obtain PPDS and LEDS certification within three months of hire.
• Be able to work any shift including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
  
  

The Recruitment Process

Step 1: Apply online between Monday, October 26, 2026 - Monday, November 9, 2026

Required Application Materials

• Resume
• Answers to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)
  
  

Optional Application Materials

• Veteran documents to request for Veteran Preference (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.)
  
  

Application Tips

• Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your résumé should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
• Do not attach any additional documents.
• Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.
• You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting. We encourage using AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.
• All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process.
• E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
  
  

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of November 9, 2026

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their résumé and supplemental questions, weighted 100%.
• Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.
  
  

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of November 16, 2026

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.
  
  

Step 4: Selection (Interview): Late-November - December

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.
  
  

Step 5: Contingent Offer of Employment : TBD

• Applicants who successfully pass the oral interview will receive a conditional offer for current/future vacancies which will advance you to the background investigation step.
  
  

Step 6: Background Investigation: TBD

Background Investigations for this position typically take 2-6 months to complete so you will want to plan accordingly.

The information that will be required when you complete the Personal History Statement includes:

• Employment Information (past 10 years or back to age 17)
• Residential Information (past 10 years or back to age 17)
• Financial Information
• References (8 without using the same people as coworker or supervisor references)
• Family Member Information
• Driving History
• Past/Present Drug Use and/or Controlled Substances
• Criminal History
  
  

Step 7: Start Date: TBD

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.
• Timeline is approximate and subject to change.
  
  

Additional Information

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations
• Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity
  
  

An Equal Opportunity Employer