Communications Officer

Prineville, OR
Prineville Police Department

Salary: $61,332.00 – $71,880.00 Annually.

Position Summary:

Provide call answering and public safety dispatch services throughout Crook County. Answer emergency and non-emergency telephone calls and requests for public safety services; determine the nature of the call and deploy the appropriate personnel and equipment; operate computer-aided dispatch system and various mission-critical communications equipment. Coordinate inter-agency and multi-agency public safety responses, ensure responder safety, and respond to needs of community members to safeguard life and property, and to promote community livability. Adhere to Telecommunicator Code of Ethics, maintain proficiency in established policies, procedures, telecommunication equipment and geography of area served.

Essential Functions:

  • Answers emergency and non-emergency phone calls via multi-line telephones, assesses needs of caller and dispatches police, fire and/or medical response teams and equipment. Processes calls to determine the incident location, nature of the incident, severity (priority), and other information pertinent to the appropriate and safe response to the situation.
  • Manages callers; calms and controls callers, communicates with special needs callers, and communicates with callers from diverse demographic backgrounds while providing professional, excellent service as required by policies and procedures.
  • Provides instructions to callers to help guard their safety as well as others at the scene. Remains on the phone with callers as situations require.
  • Gives emergency instructions to the caller while responding units are in transit, including emergency medical pre-arrival instructions to the caller to render medical aid to the sick and injured until the arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
  • Dispatches the appropriate police, fire, EMS and Emergency Management Agency using radio tone paging, Mobile Data Terminal (MDT), CAD messaging, VHF or 700 MHz radio system, telephone, or other telecommunications devices and software as needed.
  • Appropriately transfers or routes calls for service in outside jurisdictions to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), places outbound calls as needed.
  • Comply with regulations and requirements for the use of any data systems accessible through local, state, regional, federal or international networks ;( e.g. RMS, DMV and criminal justice information systems, LEDS, NCIC, Interpol, CPIC, etc.)
  • Enters accurate and orderly information into computer systems to generate calls for service; listens and talks to callers while typing information into the Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD), or recording information on a manual call card. Ensures public safety responders have accurate and updated call for service information.
  • Processes multiple phone calls, tracks/talks to responders over multiple radio frequencies, updates CAD, tracks /changes field unit status in CAD, runs data base checks, maintains awareness of field situations and what is transpiring in the communications center, assists co-workers when needed and processing requests from field units.
  • Maintains working knowledge of geography of 9-1-1 service area; utilizes various electronic or paper maps, determines appropriate emergency response type, jurisdiction, and closest appropriate public safety apparatus (units) to deploy to various situations.
  • Maintains knowledge of various mutual aid and automatic aid agreements between 9-1-1 User Agencies and deploys public safety resources as required.
  • Maintains “situational awareness,” thinks ahead and anticipates needs for resources and/or information to ensure effective, efficient, and timely assistance to public safety responders and the community.
  • Correctly performs various computer operations to access sensitive and restricted law enforcement information systems; run local, state and national records checks on persons, vehicles and other property as requested by responding units: correctly disseminate the information.
  • Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties.
  • Obtains and maintains all required certifications for the position. Abides by the Oregon Telecommunicator Code of Ethics. Completes assigned Continuing Dispatch Education to fulfill agency requirements and state annual training thresholds.
  • Works overtime without advance notice and/or responds back to the work place during emergencies and/or to ensure adequate staffing in the 9-1-1 Center to provide efficient, effective service to the public and agencies served.
  • Arrives to work, meetings, and other work-related functions on time and maintains regular job attendance.
  • Conforms to all safety rules and performs work in a safe manner.
  • Maintains effective work relationships.
  • Adheres to all City and Department policies.
  • Performs other duties as necessary.

Requirements:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent.
  • Certification as Department of Public Safety and Training (DPSST) Basic Telecommunicator.
  • Certifications as DPSST-Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD).
  • LEDS Update/Inquiry level certification.
  • CPR and First Aid certification.
  • Possess and maintain an Oregon Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record.
  • US citizen or be able to obtain citizenship within 12 months after date of appointment.
  • Must be at least 19 years of age.
  • Demonstrable commitment to sustainability.
  • Ability to work rotating shift work and/or compressed work schedule, including nights, weekends and holidays.
  • Ability to work mandatory overtime with no notice and/or respond to the workplace from home when emergency situations warrant.
  • The individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others in the workplace.