Communications Officer

Salary: $21.44 Hourly

Position Summary:

This position performs skilled work in receiving incoming calls to the Police Department’s Communication Center, including requests for police and fire services or information, and dispatches necessary units and equipment for emergency service through the use of telephone, radio, and other communications equipment.

Essential Functions:

• Operates multi-line telephones, two-way radios, and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems to receive, prioritize, and dispatch calls for police services; utilizes additional communications equipment to support field officers and ensure public and officer safety.
• Receives and processes emergency and non-emergency calls for service, dispatches appropriate personnel and equipment to the scenes of police incidents, traffic accidents, rescue operations, and other public safety emergencies.
• Answers incoming telephone calls, screening for the nature and urgency of each call, and routes callers to the appropriate personnel, department, or external agency as needed.
• Greets citizens and visitors in the lobby, providing courteous and professional customer service and assistance.
• Enters communications logs and crime report information into computer systems; performs various clerical tasks including recordkeeping, filing, indexing, and maintaining departmental records.
• Scans and maintains records of trespass warnings, residential security checks, and private property enforcement affidavits, ensuring accurate documentation and timely updates as required.
• Answers 911 emergency calls, determines the nature of the incident, and routes fire and rescue calls to the appropriate agency: dispatches police units as necessary based on the situation.
• Answers non-emergency calls regarding utility service outages and dispatches utility personnel outside of regular business hours; provides status updates to on-call personnel as required.
• Operates a wide range of communications and data systems, including FCIC/NCIC teletype, in-house CAD and records management systems, 911 and non-emergency phone systems, Motorola emergency radio system, Rapid Emergency Interface, Law Enforcement Information Exchange (LInX), FLOCK system, MiniCAD, and TDD. Also operates standard office and support equipment such as copy/fax/scanner machines, paging systems, Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID), and 911/non-emergency recording systems, as well as other related communications technology.
• May be required to serve as the agency’sFAC (Florida Administrative Coordinator)and liaison between the Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE); assists with preparation for FDLE audits and meets with auditors as needed. Reviews compliance checklists regularly to ensure department adherence to state standards. Validates FCIC/NCIC files for FDLE in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• May be required to fulfill designated CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) roles related to the security and operation of the communications function. Assigned roles may include: CJIS Agency Coordinator (CAC), Local Agency Security Officer (LASO), FCIC Agency Coordinator (FAC), Alternate FAC (Alt-FAC), Validations Administrator, NLETS (NLETS/NxTest) Administrator, CJIS Online Administrator, FALCON Application Access Administrator (AAA), and Public Access System (PAS) Contact.
• Creates and maintains user accounts within the CJIS Online Security System; coordinates and issues required CJIS security training for ride-along applicants.
• Works hours outside the regular schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, and special assignments as required.
• These essential job functions are not intended to be a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as assigned, consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent and one (1) year of experience or completion of a recognized police communication training course. Any combination of training, education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered for the minimum qualifications.
• Possession of a valid Class “E” Florida Driver’s License and compliance with vehicle use policy requirements, Section 8.15(c) in the City’s Personnel Manual.
• Possession of a State of Florida Certification as a 911 Safety Telecommunicator.
• Possession of a certification for FCIC/NCIC within the time frame as outlined by FDLE.
• Satisfactory completion of the required communications training program within the designated time period.
• This position is designated as a safety sensitive position.
• Works hours other than the regular schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.