Communications Officer

Palm Bay, FL
Palm Bay Police Department

Salary: $38,242.00 Annually

Position Summary:

Under general supervision, trains in performing specialized public safety communications and radio work for the City Police Department. Work involves training in receiving incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for service and taking appropriate action including the dispatching of police personnel and operating a computer terminal connected to the Florida Crime Information Center, National Crime Information Center, the National Weather Service and a variety of local, regional and/or state emergency response databases. Work also includes training in transferring fire and medical calls to Brevard County Fire/Rescue and monitoring for police response, dispatching units from the City Police Department, and coordinating operational support with federal, state, and local public safety agencies including the Brevard County Sheriff’s Department, Highway Patrol, wildlife services, animal control, etc. Hours of operation are 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Reports to the Shift Supervisor.

Essential Functions:

  • Trains in receiving emergency and non-emergency calls for service by telephone or radio; obtaining and documenting essential information to include associated history and determine the proper course of action.
  • Trains in dispatching the appropriate police units, and/or relays requests to the appropriate service agency.
  • Trains in Monitoring 911 calls for fire or medical emergency services response.
  • Trains in documenting incoming calls and dispatching information into an automated system; entering information pertinent to calls for service; dispatching units responding times and actions taken; maintaining records of calls for service and dispatching activities to include notifying on-call personnel, wrecker services, Fire/EMS personnel, mutual aid activities, etc.
  • Trains in operating and maintaining emergency and non-emergency equipment such as the 911/administrative telephone, trunked radio system, computer-aided dispatch system, mapping system, audio playback, City networked computers, and various software programs; troubleshooting minor operating problems.
  • Trains in assisting officers and other department personnel with the means provided in the Communication Center.
  • Trains in running queries, entering and interpreting information in state/national network which includes the Florida Crime Information Center, the National Crime Information Center and a variety of local, regional and/or state emergency response databases.
  • Trains in providing real time information and corresponding with other law enforcement or public services jurisdictions computer networked systems.
  • Trains in processing and documenting all information and maintaining the status of emergency response units and state of emergency equipment by use of the computer-aided dispatch system and/or manually tracking.
  • Ability to read and interpret geographical maps and provide accuracy.
  • Learns to relay information to emergency response personnel, and City departments, coordinate emergency service response with other public safety agencies.
  • Ability to manage confidential information.

Requirements:

  • Graduation from high school, or GED.
  • Requires typing skills and multi-tasking skills.
  • Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License and have and maintain an acceptable driving record.
  • Must be able to accurately type a minimum of forty (40) WPM.
  • Adjusted or Net typing test score must be 40 wpm or greater.
  • Within twelve (12) months of being assigned to the position, must receive training in dispatching police units and attain 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification through the Department of Health. This certification is the individual’s responsibility.
  • Direct supervision is required until this certification is achieved. Employee will promote to Communications Officer upon completion of training and certification.
  • Must be available to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays and during emergencies.
  • Must be able to work 12 hour shifts as needed.
  • Within six (6) months of being assigned to the position, must attain certification by the Criminal Justice Training Section of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in operation of the Florida Criminal Information Center and National Crime Information Center.