Communications Officer Academy - Communications Officer

Citrus County Sheriff's Office • Emergency Operations Center (EOC), FL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Communications Officer serves as the critical first point of contact for the public requesting emergency and non-emergency assistance and is responsible for receiving, prioritizing, processing, and dispatching all incoming calls for service involving law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and public safety personnel and resources throughout the county. This is a high-responsibility position requiring the utilization of emergency communication technologies, sound judgement, multitasking ability, emotional resilience, and strict adherence to agency policies and legal standards while always maintaining public safety standards.

Requirements

• Ability to multi-task across multiple computer programs, equipment, and radio channels.
• Ability to obtain accurate information and data while actively listening and utilizing standardized numeric radio codes, signals, and common abbreviated phrases for rapid, clear communication.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in a clear, concise manner during in person, telephone and radio communications.
• Ability to make rapid decisions under stressful conditions and process emotionally traumatic information.
• Works collaboratively with co-workers during high-call volume or critical incidents.
• Ability to use policy and training guidelines and reference materials as a guide for decision-making, particularly concerning safety, conduct, and data privacy.
• Ability to continuously learn, improve, and validate skills.
• Ability to create permanent records requiring proper grammar, structure, and clarity, and a keyboard equivalent to 32 words-per-minute (WPM).
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent certification of competency.
• Successfully completes the Public Safety Telecommunications Program, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD), Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD), Florida Crime Information Center certification (FCIC), and the State of Florida 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Program (Provided by Employer).
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have the legal right to work in the United States.
• Valid Florida Driver’s License.
• If a current CCSO employee, then no disciplinary actions within the last 12 months and completion of current position time commitment requirement.
• I understand that in order for my application to be accepted, I must provide a complete account of my employment and unemployment history for the past five years, beginning with my current position.

Nice To Haves

• Intermittent periods of intense, focused, and demanding conditions while interacting with diverse people and personalities.
• Can be exposed to volatile individuals, and/or distressed citizens.
• Occasionally lifts up to 25 lbs.
• Remain alert while Requires sitting for long periods of time, speaking, walking, stooping, reaching, and writing.
• Manual dexterity requiring grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination to operate telephone, computer, keyboards, and multi-screen systems.
• Near and far visual acuity required to accurately read multiple computer monitors and systems, mapping displays, written documentation, and status boards.
• Acute hearing ability required to clearly interpret radio transmissions, telephone communications, alarms, and simultaneous multi-channel audio communications in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Receives emergency and non-emergency phone calls, messages, and notifications, determines the nature of the call, and obtains documents, and processes and transfers pertinent information to the appropriate personnel or agency utilizing the standardized emergency protocols to ensure a high standard of customer service, care, and public safety are met.
• Maintains required state, federal, and specialized certifications essential to effective emergency dispatch.
• Simultaneously dispatches, manages, and monitors law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical units across multiple radio channels
• Provides critical updates and maintains continuous communications with field units to ensure personnel responder safety
• Activates emergency protocols when required and coordinates mutual aid with neighboring jurisdictions when necessary
• Gains competency in areas critical to managing stressful situations
• All CCSO employees are considered essential emergency workers and are subject to working in any capacity/hours deemed necessary by the Agency during activations, including but not limited to, in-County and out-of-County deployments.

Benefits

• Provided by Employer (Public Safety Telecommunications Program, CPR, EMD, EPD, EFD, FCIC, State of Florida 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Program)

What This Job Offers

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