Communications Officer

Work involves handling all incoming emergency and administrative calls by telephone or two-way radio from the public, County department, or other departmental or law enforcement personnel. Will obtain and share needed information via teletype equipment or computer.Receive incoming calls on both the telephone and two-way radio; evaluates calls and directs call to appropriate staff and/or agencies; dispatches units and relay information pertinent to file operations

Performs computer-assisted and manual records checks for officers on individuals, locations, vehicles and other property, sometimes verifying warrants or reports of stolen property with the originating agency

Maintains, updates and accesses for officers various logs and computer data files (incident reports, stolen or repossessed property logs, rotation logs, maps, etc.)

Enters information into Texas and National Crime Information Computer Systems

Monitors jail emergency alarms and notifies appropriate authorities if problem develops

Monitors court emergency alarms, radio and telephone and provide assistance as needed

Places calls to employees on duty after hours in the following departments: County Medical Examiners, Narcotics, Animal Control, Parks and Wildlife, Precincts, etc.

Processes daily paperwork and assigns County offense numbers

Processes emergency 9-1-1 calls and other routine telephone traffic

Attends briefing before start of shift. Reviews daily log for any changes and checks bulletin board for new schedules, memos and duty rosters

May be required to assist in the training of new dispatchers

Monitors and performs minor maintenance on equipment
Responsible for insuring all law enforcement records created during the shift are properly documented and accounted for

Monitors and responds to radio traffic

Performs other related work as assignedGraduation from a high school or equivalent (GED).

Graduation from an accredited two (2) year college with an Associate’s degree in related field preferred.

• Two (2) years of experience may be substituted for one (1) year of education.

One (1) year experience in communications, dispatching, and/or related work preferred.

Certificates, Licenses and Registration:

Must have a current valid Texas motor vehicle operator’s license.

Must be able to be insured by the County’s insurance carrier.

Must be a U.S Citizen.

Successful applicants must, at the time of appointment to the positions, meet the minimum requirements for Basic Certification of Telecommunicator from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), and must, within one year of appointment to the position, obtain and thereafter maintain a Basic Certification as a Telecommunicator from TCOLE.Knowledge of radio transmission procedures and of Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations governing operation of radio and teletype transmitting and receiving

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and speak clearly and concisely

Ability to speak effectively with citizens and employees of organizations

Ability to use radio and electronic data communications equipment

Ability to multitask in a stressful situation

Ability to keep accurate records

Ability to operate, or demonstrated ability to learn to operate, a computer

Ability to read and write in the English language

Bilingual (Spanish and English) with the ability to converse fluently in both languages

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals

Ability to write reports and correspondence

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists

Employee may be assigned other duties in addition to those listed; duties may change according to the changing needs of the County.