Communications Officer

Salary: $47,021.00 – $61,876.00 Annually

Position Summary:

Under the direct supervision the Communications Officer will relay information from emergency callers to the proper resources (police, fire, and emergency medical responders). Dispatcher’s answer business, emergency, enhanced 9-1-1 and cellular 9-1-1 telephone lines along with Smart 9-1-1 and text 9-1-1. They are responsible for monitoring and dispatching 34 police, fire, EMS agencies within St. Clair County. Communications Officers collect, store, retrieve and disseminate information vital to emergency service operations.

Essential Functions:

• Receive all incoming calls from the public requesting police, fire, and/or emergency medical assistance.
• Disseminates emergency information to First Responders in a calm, collective manner.
• Gather, classify and supplement pertinent information obtained from the caller and enter it into the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system.
• Determine which response agency is responsible for responding to the call for assistance and dispatches the appropriate units(s).
• Gives emergency medical instructions, as outlined in protocol, while forwarding information to dispatcher for appropriate services.
• Must be able to process incoming calls and accurately type simultaneously on the computer to relay all pertinent information to dispatch.
• Provide emergency assistance to callers until responding emergency units arrive and assume control of the situation.
• Operate a CAD console equipped with multiple computer terminals, including mapping and aerial photography.
• Monitor and control a large number of public safety resources throughout St. Clair County.
• Query and enter information (e.g. stolen articles, wanted persons, missing persons, criminal history checks, etc.) through Michigan’s Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) data files.
• Mitigate multiple situations simultaneously.
• Conserve the knowledge of location and availability of all field units.
• Monitors the emergency radio frequencies of public agencies including a civil defense.
• Transmits information to police vehicles concerning wanted persons, stolen vehicles, hazardous street conditions and other important information.
• Controls operation of roadblock and major emergency plans and maintains files.
• Maintains control of all calls received and transmissions made on radio and telephones.
• Maintains street locations, emergency phone numbers, patrol schedules and other pertinent records.
• Instructs new personnel on the use of communication equipment
• Train new Dispatchers and assist Dispatch Supervisors in evaluating the progress and/or performance of employees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Prior to starting employment, the candidate must complete a satisfactory background check. The background check is understood to encompass all forms of pre-employment screening, including but not limited to: drug screen, physical, criminal background, driving record, sex offender registry, education, training and licensing verification, employment history, credit check, and professional and personal references.
• Prior to employment must successfully pass an extensive criminal background check including, but not limited to, a comprehensive physical evaluation, psychiatric evaluation and hearing test with regard to the listed job functions.
• Must possess a valid State of Michigan operator license and maintain this license throughout employment in this position.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must successfully complete CTO training within 6-9 months of date of hire.
• Must be willing to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Must meet all LEIN and NCIC security requirements as a terminal operator.
• High school diploma or G.E.D. required.
• The ideal candidate will have 1+ years of experience in administrative support, customer service emergency communications, or in a fast paced multi-discipline environment.