911 Public Safety Telecommunicator

City of Helotes•Helotes, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator is responsible for technical radio communications, deploying police, fire, public works, animal control, code enforcement, and EMS personnel based on service requests. This role provides extensive support to the community and emergency service providers by effectively communicating and disseminating information, responding to emergency calls, and resolving citizen complaints. Key duties include prioritizing calls, directing appropriate resources, maintaining communication with field units, and managing their status and locations. The telecommunicator utilizes computer databases such as TLETS, TCIC/NCIC for crime-related information, vehicle registration, stolen/wanted searches, and driver's license checks. They also maintain detailed information using the computer-aided dispatch module of the records management system, support the vehicle impound program, and perform various record-keeping and clerical tasks. This is a non-supervisory position within the Helotes 911/Public Safety Communications Center, reporting to the 911/Public Safety Communications Supervisor or Telecommunicator III in the supervisor's absence.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED.
Knowledge of all local, state, and federal laws, policies, and regulations governing telecommunications, including TCIC/NCIC, TLETS, and NLETS.
Knowledge of basic telephone techniques and public relations.
Knowledge of National Incident Management System (NIMS) and procedures to address multi-agency emergency responses in the event of disasters.
Knowledge of the multi-channel radio system and all components of the system.
Knowledge of the telephone system and telephone console features.
Knowledge of the computerized 9-1-1 system and all system components necessary for the proper use of the system.
Knowledge of the records management system and computer aided dispatch system and the procedures related to the entry and retrieval of system data.
Knowledge of the in-car laptop computers and the ability to follow all of the TLETS rules and procedures for accessing the TLETS system on the laptops.
Ability to demonstrate proficiency in problem solving, oral and written communications, and maintaining confidentiality.
Ability to transfer calls accurately and utilize back-up systems in the event of equipment failure.
Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with all emergency service organizations, including, but not limited to, local, state, and federal organizations.
Ability to troubleshoot system malfunctions and contact appropriate resources without unnecessary delay to maintain radio communications integrity.
Ability to conduct routine information searches and generate internal reports.
Ability to learn and apply dispatch office procedures, practices, and equipment.
Ability to learn geographic features and streets within the area served.
Ability to learn and apply applicable departmental procedures and policies related to proper police response, emergencies, etc.
Ability to learn and apply various types of computer formats and codes necessary to access, utilize and relay information.
Ability to learn and apply standard radio broadcasting procedures.
Ability to work under pressure, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
Ability to operate dispatch and office equipment.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and those persons contacted in the course of work.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to perform more than one task at a time (talk-monitor radio transmissions and type) and hold good short-term memory and the ability to absorb and retain numerous formats, rules, regulations, and procedures taught during training period.
Ability to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, and reading and writing.
Ability to recognize dangerous situations and take measures to notify others or abate the situation.
Ability to maintain mental capacity that allows the capability of exercising sound judgment and rational thinking under dangerous circumstances.
Ability to evaluate various options and alternatives and choose an appropriate and reasonable course of action.
Ability to demonstrate intellectual capabilities during training and testing processes.
TCOLE Telecommunicator certification.
TCIC/NCIC certification or receive certification within one year of employment.
Telecommunications Operator certification or receive certification within one year of employment.
Must possess and maintain current BLS CPR certification.
Must possess and maintain a valid class 'C' Texas Drivers License.
All certifications and licenses must be current and valid.

Nice To Haves

One (1) year of experience in public safety telecommunications or TCOLE Basic Telecommunicator license.
Bilingual (English/Spanish).
Emergency Medical Dispatch certification or the ability to receive certification within one year of employment.
T-CPR certification or the ability to receive certification within one year of employment.
Fire Service Dispatch certification or the ability to receive certification within one year of employment.
Law Enforcement Dispatch certification or the ability to receive certification within one year of employment.

Responsibilities

Perform technical radio communications involving the deployment of police, fire, public works, animal control, code enforcement, and EMS personnel according to request for service.
Provide extensive support to the community and all emergency services providers.
Effectively communicate and disseminate information accurately.
Provide exceptional response to all calls for emergency services and citizen complaint resolutions.
Answer calls for service, prioritize and accurately communicate emergency information and determine and direct appropriate resources to a reported incident.
Assign emergency and non-emergency field units, as appropriate, to the incident.
Maintain communications with police, fire, emergency medical service and other personnel, providing necessary support to field personnel via radio, telephone, computer and MDT's.
Maintain the status and locations of all field units.
Enter, update, retrieve and communicate crime-related information from computer databases and the TLETS information system.
Maintain detailed information utilizing the computer-aided dispatch module of the records management system.
Follow all procedures in place relating to data entry to ensure consistency of data entry and to enhance retrieval ability.
Effectively utilize TCIC/NCIC/TLETS for all searches relating to vehicle registration confirmation, stolen/wanted searches, driver's license checks, computerized criminal history records, administrative messages, stolen/wanted confirmations and other system transactions.
Provide support to the vehicle impound program by entering abandoned and impounded vehicle information into TCIC, as required.
Maintain files on all impounded vehicles and release impounded vehicles to owners providing proof of ownership and paying the required impound and towing fees.
Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work, as necessary or required.
Maintain databases for, but not limited to, parking permits, alarm permits, animal control impound/lost/found.
Assist in other duties as assigned.