OREGON EMPLOYER PROFILE · HEALTHCARE PUBLIC SAFETY
OHSU Public Safety Jobs in Oregon
A verified guide to Oregon Health & Science University police and emergency-communications careers, current openings, published pay, DPSST requirements, benefits and application strategy.
Last verified: July 21, 2026 · Listings, pay and schedules can change without notice.
EMPLOYER TYPE
Public academic health center
CURRENT OPENINGS
0 current openings
OBSERVED PAY SPAN
$36.88–$51.60/hr*
CURRENT LOCATION
Portland
Current OHSU Public Safety openings
0 current openings
No current openings are listed for this employer. Check back soon.
Employer and department overview
Oregon Health & Science University is Oregon’s public academic health center, combining patient care, education and research. Its Portland campuses include a major hospital environment, children’s care, clinics, laboratories, classrooms, offices, parking areas and transportation connections.
The OHSU Department of Public Safety provides 24-hour service across OHSU campuses. OHSU describes a team of more than 45 professionals that includes state-certified police officers, community service officers, telecommunicators and administrative staff.
This breadth creates more than one route into the department. The two current openings are especially different: Police Officer is a commissioned law-enforcement position with arrest and enforcement authority, while Emergency Communications Dispatcher is a high-pressure communications and coordination role.
Search these OHSU titles
- OHSU Police Officer
- Emergency Communications Dispatcher
- Community Service Officer
- Public Safety
- Telecommunicator
Only the first two titles had active openings when this profile was verified.
Where OHSU Public Safety works
The verified openings were listed in Portland at the Marquam Hill campus. OHSU Public Safety serves a connected academic-health environment that extends beyond one hospital building and includes South Waterfront and other OHSU-controlled facilities and property.
Marquam Hill
OHSU Hospital, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, clinics, research and education buildings, parking areas and access routes. Both current jobs are posted to this Portland location.
South Waterfront
Patient-care, research and office facilities connected to Marquam Hill by the Portland Aerial Tram. Public Safety services and emergency communications support the broader campus system.
Other OHSU property
OHSU Police may patrol or respond at other assigned facilities, grounds, parking areas and access routes. Exact assignments depend on department operations.
Compare the two current career paths
COMMISSIONED LAW ENFORCEMENT
OHSU Police Officer
- Responds to crimes, emergencies, alarms, fires and hazards
- Patrols on foot, bicycle, vehicle and surveillance systems
- Investigates, protects evidence and writes reports
- May stop, detain, arrest, search or transport within authority
- Assists with disruptive or dangerous persons and clinical requests
- Provides escorts, motorist help, information and community service
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Dispatcher
- Triages emergency and non-emergency calls
- Uses CAD, radio, telephone, CCTV and alarm systems
- Dispatches law-enforcement and Facilities responders
- Coordinates with 9-1-1 centers, fire and EMS
- Tracks field-unit status and documents every event
- Works under intense time, accuracy and emotional demands
OHSU Police Officer qualifications and DPSST
Required foundation
- High school diploma
- Meet current Oregon DPSST minimum standards for employment as a law-enforcement officer
- Eligible for DPSST Basic Police Officer certification within one year
- United States citizenship for DPSST eligibility within one year of hire
- Valid driver’s license usable in Oregon
- No DPSST-disqualifying criminal history
Screening and performance
- Criminal-justice background investigation
- Psychological screening
- Physical health examination
- Department physical-agility test
- Field Training and Evaluation Program
- Strong judgment, cultural competency, communication and detailed reporting
Preferred background
- College degree in law enforcement or public safety
- DPSST Basic Police certification or equivalent
- Certified or commissioned law-enforcement experience
- Success working with challenging people or mental illness
- First Aid and CPR
- Spanish, Russian or other multilingual ability
This is police certification—not a private-security card
OHSU Police Officer is a commissioned university law-enforcement position. The posting refers to DPSST law-enforcement standards and Basic Police Officer certification, not the unarmed or armed private-security certification used for conventional contract-security work.
Applicants should review the exact posting and Oregon DPSST law-enforcement standards. Do not assume that a private-security certification by itself satisfies the police-officer requirements.
Police Officer recruitment process
1
Apply and test
Submit the application, resume and questionnaire, then arrange the National Testing Network Frontline Written Exam and send scores to OHSU.
2
Oral board
Applicants who pass the first phase may be invited to an oral-board interview.
3
Psychological testing
Successful candidates may advance to pre-employment psychological testing at Marquam Hill.
4
Final evaluation
Final steps include an interview, background investigation and remaining psychological and medical evaluations.
Frontline test scores are listed as valid for one year. Testing vendors, deadlines and selection phases can change, so follow the current posting and recruiter instructions exactly.
Dispatcher qualifications and certification
Required experience
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Multi-line call-center or telephone experience
- One year of customer-service experience
- One year of computer data-entry and information-retrieval experience or comparable experience
- Critical-thinking, oral and written communication skills
- Ability to learn OHSU and surrounding geography
Application and screening
- Submit proof of typing at 45 WPM with 95% accuracy
- Official typing-test certificate required
- CritiCall 911 aptitude test if selected to interview
- Law-enforcement background investigation
- Medical examination
- Psychological evaluation
Post-hire certification
- DPSST Basic Telecommunications Academy
- Basic Telecommunicator Certification within 18 months
- Annual certification maintenance
- LEDS certification within six months
- Ability to work day, swing and graveyard shifts
- Weekend, holiday, overtime and severe-weather availability
Dispatcher reality check
The Communications Center operates all day, every day. Dispatchers may speak with callers who are frightened, abusive, incoherent, intoxicated or experiencing medical or mental-health crises while simultaneously monitoring radios, units, alarms and computer systems.
The position is designated Critical Function Personnel. Staff are expected to report during extreme weather and other events affecting OHSU, and unscheduled or mandatory overtime may be required.
Benefits and schedule reality
Both verified openings were regular, full-time, 1.00 FTE positions. Their listings advertised a substantial benefits package, but final eligibility, plan options and collective-bargaining provisions should be confirmed for the specific role and offer.
Published benefits
- Medical, dental and vision at low or no employee cost
- Full-time employee coverage described as 100%; dependent coverage as 88%
- OPSRP or University Pension Plan options
- 403(b), 401(a) and 457(b) voluntary savings plans
- Up to 200 hours of paid time off annually
- 96 hours of sick leave annually, prorated by FTE
Additional offerings
- Commuter subsidies
- Tuition reimbursement
- Group life and disability coverage
- Employee and childcare discounts
- Annual raises
- Growth and development opportunities
Schedule reality
Police work uses variable 12-hour shifts and can include emergency recall. Dispatch requires 24/7 staffing across day, swing and graveyard shifts, including weekends, holidays and possible mandatory overtime.
Police is OHSUPA represented; dispatcher is AFSCME represented. Confirm union-specific pay steps, premiums, seniority, probation and scheduling terms.
How to apply at OHSU
1
Choose the track
Read Police Officer and Dispatcher requirements separately; they use different certifications, tests and work environments.
2
Prepare documents
Police requires a resume and questionnaire. Dispatcher requires an official typing certificate showing 45 WPM and 95% accuracy.
3
Submit online
Create or sign in to OHSU’s applicant profile, complete every field and attach the requested materials.
4
Complete testing
Follow instructions for Frontline, CritiCall, interviews, background, medical, psychological or agility steps that apply to the role.
OHSU’s careers portal allows applicants to view openings, submit online applications and later check application status through their career profile. Former employees may need to reinstate an earlier profile before applying.
Make your application competitive
For Police Officer
- Confirm every current DPSST eligibility condition before investing in testing.
- Show calm decisions, lawful authority and detailed report writing.
- Use examples involving mental-health crisis, de-escalation or healthcare settings when available.
- Demonstrate cultural competency and inclusive public service.
- Prepare for fitness, background, psychological and medical review.
For Dispatcher
- Obtain the official typing certificate before submitting.
- Quantify call volume, data-entry speed, accuracy and simultaneous systems used.
- Highlight customer service under emotional or time pressure.
- Practice prioritization and memory for the CritiCall assessment.
- State 24/7 schedule and severe-weather availability accurately.
Prepare four interview stories
- A crisis you de-escalated while protecting safety and dignity.
- A fast-moving event where you prioritized incomplete information.
- A mistake or risk you caught through attention to detail.
- A difficult interaction where you communicated across cultural or personal differences.
Use the STAR format—situation, task, action and result—and be ready to explain your decision process, documentation and follow-up.
Frequently asked questions
Is OHSU hiring Public Safety employees in Oregon?
Yes. One OHSU Police Officer opening and one Emergency Communications Dispatcher opening were verified in Portland on July 21, 2026. Availability can change quickly, so confirm both official listings.
How much does OHSU pay police officers?
The verified OHSU Police Officer listing published $40.38 to $51.60 per hour, with the offer based on experience, education and internal equity.
How much does OHSU pay emergency dispatchers?
The listing header showed $36.88 to $50.63 per hour, while a lower section on the same page showed $35.46 to $48.68. Because the official listing conflicts with itself, applicants should confirm the current range directly with OHSU.
Is the OHSU Police Officer job the same as hospital security?
No. It is a commissioned university police position with state law-enforcement authority and DPSST police-certification requirements. It includes hospital and campus safety work, but it is not a conventional unarmed private-security role.
Do dispatchers need certification before applying?
The posting requires an official typing certificate with the application but allows post-hire completion of DPSST Basic Telecommunicator Certification within 18 months and LEDS certification within six months. Other experience and screening requirements still apply.
Are the current OHSU Public Safety jobs union positions?
Yes. The Police Officer opening was OHSUPA represented, while the Dispatcher opening was AFSCME represented. Confirm bargaining-unit terms for the specific offer.
Sources and verification
This profile was last checked on July 21, 2026. Core sources:
- OHSU careers portal
- OHSU Police Officer — requisition 2021-10044
- Emergency Communications Dispatcher — requisition 2024-29599
- OHSU Department of Public Safety
- OHSU Police
- OHSU Public Safety Communications Center
- OHSU Public Safety services
- OHSU Hospital and Marquam Hill
- Oregon DPSST Criminal Justice
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Oregon Security Guide is an independent resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or speaking for OHSU. Employer names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Confirm all job details directly with the employer.