Communications Officer

Commerce, TX
Commerce Police Department

Position Summary:

Performs a variety of routine clerical, administrative and technical work in receiving and dispatching routine and emergency information; keeping official records; transcribing; and assisting in the administration of the standard operating policies and procedures of the dispatch center. Provides administrative support to the Commerce Police Department, Fire Department and Emergency Management.

Essential Functions:

  1. Monitors telephones and radio in the dispatch center, answers all incoming calls and ascertains nature of call, gathers all necessary information to transmit or relay call to appropriate agency in a timely manner.
  2. Performs routine clerical and administrative work. Answers phones, receiving the public, providing customer service, data processing and bookkeeping.
  3. Dispatches police and other response vehicles and personnel for emergency responses; broadcasts the nature, location and time of an incident; contacts all required personnel and other entities in the event of an emergency situation.
  4. Maintains log on radio and telephone communications, location of personnel and equipment; in the event of an emergency, maintains on-going contact with the responding personnel in a variety of situations and keeps them informed of all incoming pertinent information; keeps track of various information such as traffic lights out and streets closed and keeps emergency personnel informed.
  5. Maintains dispatch center work area and equipment in clean and working condition.
  6. Operates radios as needed and assists in radio communications; operates base radio as required.
  7. Operates listed office machines and equipment as required.
  8. Inputs data to standard office and department forms, both manual and automated.
  9. Answers enhanced 911 calls for service and directs caller to proper agency. Dispatches emergency units needed to respond to the type of 911 call received.
  10. Performs data entry of various collected information into the department and other approved database systems.
  11. Supports the relationship between the City of Commerce and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with other city staff, citizens of Commerce, and visitors. Maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information, consistent with City employee ethics training.
  12. This position may be required to respond afterhours, including holidays, weekends, and/or scheduled days off in the event of a city or Department emergency. The work entails shift work, which means employees provide a service around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Should candidates have scheduling conflicts which would not allow them to work weekends or overnight shifts, candidates need not apply.
  13. Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Requirements:

  • Graduation from a high school or GED equivalent with specialized course work in general office practices such as typing, filing, accounting or bookkeeping, and
  • Two (2) years of increasingly responsible related experience preferred, or any equivalent combination of related education and experience.
  • Must be 18 years of age or older to apply.
  • Felony convictions and disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years are not allowed; U.S. citizen; must be able to read and write the English language; must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits.