Communications Officer

City of Andover Kansas • Andover, KS

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Communications Director, this position is responsible for work handling communications relay for law enforcement, fire, and other emergency service units as needed. Work involves responsibility for radio, emergency and non-emergency telephone lines, KCJIS, computer, in-person, and written communications, relaying information that is both public and confidential in nature. Personnel in this position must be able to act with limited supervision. Work is reviewed by supervisor(s) through reports and observations.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment security clearance check conducted on a local and national level, and the ability to maintain a good moral character sufficient to testify credibly in a court of law.
• Must successfully complete all job-related training and certifications as required by state and federal statutes and departmental procedures within the first six (6) months of employment.
• Mental alertness is very important because of the need to make fine discriminations and decisions concerning impending danger.
• Incumbents must maintain a physical and mental state of fitness and readiness that will enable them to handle stressful situations.
• Some contact with dangerous and potentially dangerous people, equipment and weather conditions may occur.
• Work conditions may vary by shift, prolonged periods of sitting/standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Vision Requirement: 20/40 corrected
• Occasional maximum lift of 25 lbs from floor to waist; frequent forward reach; occasional crouch/bend; constant hand coordination; occasional stand; and occasional walk.
• Applicants must be a Citizen of the United States
• is of good moral character and free of any physical or mental condition which might adversely affect the applicant’s performance as a communications officer.
• Applicants with tattoos that are visible and not in compliance with General Order M1213 must agree as a condition of employment, that they would remove or cover the tattoo whenever on duty.
• If military service has been rendered your DD214 must reflect a separation code of Honorable, General, or Other than Honorable condition discharge.
• Must not have used, bought, possessed, sold or assisted in the distribution of marijuana, including any product that contains THC, in the past twelve months.
• Must not have used, bought, possessed, sold or assisted in the distribution of illegal or non-prescriptive steroids in the past two years.
• Must not have used, bought, possessed, sold or assisted in the distribution of any felony level drug or controlled substance, i.e. LSD, ecstasy, hashish, mushrooms, peyote, K2, etc. in the past three years.
• Must not have used, bought, possessed, sold or assisted in the distribution of any felony level drug or controlled substance, i.e. cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, opium, methamphetamine, etc. in the past five years.
• Has not been convicted, does not have an expunged conviction, and has not been placed on diversion by any state or federal government for any misdemeanor crimes in the past three years.
• May not have been convicted of, plead guilty or no contest to, or been diverted on a serious traffic violation within the past three years. Serious traffic violations to include, but not limited, to DUI, reckless driving, hit and run, vehicular homicide, and eluding a police officer.
• May not have been convicted of, plead guilty or no contest to, or been diverted on more than three moving traffic violations or two at fault accidents within the past year.
• No convictions, diversions or expungements of any felony crime including juvenile offenses.
• Must not be currently charged with or under indictment of any criminal activity other than minor traffic violations.
• As an adult or juvenile may not have been convicted of a crime involving an act of dishonesty, include but not limited to theft, insufficient funds (checks), fraud, false police reports etc.
• If previous communications officer experience has been rendered, must not have received discipline for a sustained violation of dishonesty, to include but not limited to, lying, falsifying reports or documents, illegally obtaining narcotics, courtroom testimony/credibility.
• No convictions for any misdemeanor crimes involving morals, drugs, or weapon charges in the past three years.
• Applicants will be eliminated from the process if they have falsified, intentionally misrepresented, or have not been completely truthful or have not fully disclosed ALL information requested on a questionnaire, document, or application in any part of the pre-employment process.
• Ability to use a computer, communication equipment, and other office duties.
• Frequent problem-solving includes but is not limited to citizen complaints, equipment malfunction, and call prioritizing.
• Frequent decision-making includes but is not limited to dispatching proper emergency units and classifying calls.

Nice To Haves

• One to three years of public safety communications experience is desirable.
• Some knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations governing criminal activities.

Responsibilities

• Answer and direct telephone calls both emergency and non-emergency in manner.
• Accurately enter information into CAD and RMS systems.
• Relay vital information to patrol officers, fire personnel, and/or summon the proper authority.
• Maintain accurate radio logs, telephone logs, and computerized department inventories.
• Accurately complete warrant, case, and photographic files, and type reports.
• Utilize state and federal telecommunications systems (NCIC/KCJIS) to send and receive teletype messages; respond to requests from authorized personnel for criminal record checks, warrants, wanted persons, etc.; check for stolen vehicles and parts; and process criminal history records checks.
• Frequent contact with other city departments and continual contact with the general public.
• Assist customers at the counter by receiving/disbursing specific fees and obtaining copies of accident/incident reports and other documents.
• Perform basic clerical duties, including filing, scanning, copying, and faxing documents.
• Serve as the front-line operator of the City’s mass notification system.
• Monitor, update, and respond to the police department’s social media pages.
• Periodic checks on the prisoner(s) in the holding cell and monitoring city security video.
• Completion of at least (15) hours of continuing education training annually to maintain proficiency and certifications.
• Performs other duties as required.

Benefits

• Paid for by the City of Andover: pre-employment drug screening, physical examination, polygraph, psychological, and physical endurance examinations.
• Equal-opportunity employer.
• Drug-Free Workplace.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED