Communications Officer (DPS)

Oklahoma State Government•Durant, OK

About The Position

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities involving the operation of communication equipment in a Department of Public Safety communication center and in providing information to law enforcement officials, other agencies and the general public. At this level employees are primarily assigned responsibilities as a Communications Superintendent for the direction of a Department of Public Safety communication center on a twenty-four hour basis, including direction of supervisory personnel on each shift and management of the overall operations of the communications center. This primarily involves responsibility for a district or regional communication center which is responsible for all communications support within the assigned district or region.

Requirements

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of (Statutory Requirement: 47 O.S. 1998 Supp. Section 2-105.B.2.b.) “2. No person shall be appointed ... unless the person is a citizen of the United States of America, of good moral character, and: b. for any such position in the Communications Division, a person shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age and shall possess a high school diploma or General Education Development equivalency certificate" plus five years of experience as a communications dispatcher in a law enforcement communications center; including one year in a supervisory capacity.
Knowledge of Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations concerning radio communications; of OLETS, NLETS, and NCIC operating manuals; of state and federal laws concerning use of criminal records; of agency communications policies and procedures; of office practices and procedures; of spelling, punctuation and grammar; of state and federal traffic and criminal laws and regulations and restrictions on use of criminal records; of supervisory principles and practices; and of training methods and practices.
Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; to operate radio and telecommunications equipment; to maintain operating efficiency under emergency and stressful conditions; to maintain effective working relationships with others; to follow complex written instructions; to type accurately from plain copy at the rate of twenty-five words per minute; to exercise sound judgment in complex situations and adopt appropriate courses of action; to instruct and supervise the work of others; to direct the work of others; to maintain operating efficiency under emergency and stressful situations; and to develop and conduct effective training programs.

Responsibilities

Operates radio communication equipment and receives and dispatches radio messages on an assigned shift; provides a communications link for personnel in the field or agency headquarters, other law enforcement officials and related emergency services.
Operates teletype and computer system to obtain information through the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (OLETS), National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) or National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
Interprets and relays information to field personnel concerning wanted persons, violations of laws and other criminal activities.
Researches criminal history information as required, including International Police Organization (INTERPOL) data available through the various systems.
Makes immediate decisions on a wide variety of information received through various sources and disseminates to field personnel, agency officials and other law enforcement agencies as appropriate.
Maintains written records and logs of shift activities.
Composes and releases messages concerning accidents, emergencies, hazardous materials, incidents, weather conditions and similar situations to field offices, news media and other law enforcement, civil defense and emergency services.
Plans, organizes and directs communication center operations and programs; assists in the development of agency rules, regulations, and policies concerning the use of communications equipment, staff, and systems.
Coordinates operational and administrative matters with other divisions and agencies, including Highway Patrol troop commanders, civil defense officials, the Department of Transportation, and local law enforcement officials.
Conducts on-site inspections of communications centers to evaluate operations and personnel and ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
Develops and conducts training programs in communications procedures and requirements; collects, prepares, organizes, and edits instructional materials such as manuals, overhead transparencies, course outlines, and cassettes.
May serve as a member of screening boards in matters related to promotions, hiring, reinstatement and disciplinary actions; represents the agency in matters concerning user agreements and accountability for the operation and security of terminals and use of information.
Monitors security within the communications center or the facility.