Communications Officer 1-3

State of Louisiana•Baton Rouge, LA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within the Office of Forestry in Baton Rouge, La. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry is seeking a Communications Officer to help safeguard Louisiana's forests. The Office of Forestry's primary responsibilities include suppressing timberland wildfires; promoting sound forest management practices, disseminating information; facilitating educational programs; producing reforestation seedlings; enforcing timber-related laws; investigating timber theft; and assisting community urban forestry programs. The Communications Officer manages and assists Forestry Dispatch in the completion of day-to-day activities. The Forestry Dispatch offers support to the six districts within Forestry. Supervision for this position is received from the Assistant Commissioner of Forestry.

Requirements

Six months of experience in transmitting and receiving messages by radio or in administrative services; OR Six months of training in a business or clerical-related curriculum in a business school or technical institute; OR Fifteen semester hours of college training.
All persons appointed to this job will be required by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Louisiana State Police Terminal Operator Certification Program Guidelines to meet the terminal operator certification/re-certification requirement within six months of employment.
An applicant who has been convicted of a felony or who is under indictment on a felony charge will be disqualified until relief from the disabilities imposed by state and federal laws is granted.

Nice To Haves

Accepting Direction: The ability to be open and willing to follow guidance or instructions.
Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
Demonstrating Accountability: The ability to take ownership of actions, behaviors, performance, decisions, and outcomes.
Adapting to Change: The ability to demonstrate flexibility in thoughts, behaviors, and actions in response to evolving circumstances or unexpected change.
Demonstrating Initiative: The ability to assess situations independently and take proactive steps to address them without being prompted or instructed by others.
Displaying Professionalism: The ability to uphold workplace standards through consistent conduct, responsible communication, and consideration for others.
Following Policies and Procedures: The ability to follow, reinforce, adapt, or develop policies and procedures to maintain compliance with federal and state legal requirements, State Civil Service rules, and organizational policies.
Managing Time: The ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and allocate time to ensure timely completion of work goals.
Solving Problems: The ability to identify root causes, analyze relevant data, and apply practical or innovative solutions to challenges.
Thinking Strategically: The ability to anticipate trends, understand context, and align actions with long-term priorities.

Responsibilities

Participates in monitoring the location and status of field personnel by radio on a regular basis and dispatching additional personnel to assist with handling certain situations, as needed.
Receives, analyzes, prioritizes, and initiates response to incidents that require immediate attention.
Maintains and operates a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.
Monitors and coordinates the usage of a statewide radio system and utilizes all options and capabilities available in a central communications console.
Assists the public by researching, locating, printing and providing fire reports when requested.
Participates in receiving fire information by telephone and two-way radio, and transmitting messages based on this information to the appropriate personnel; participates in the receipt and transmittal of wildland fire information and handles communication requests from key personnel.
Ensures that proper procedures are followed in routine and emergency operations.
Performs routine checks on communications equipment including capabilities and options available in central communications radio consoles remain functional.
Maintains and updates monthly reports as needed.
Possesses technical knowledge of personal computer-based operations and operational design of a radio system.
May operate Forestry’s system at potentially life-threatening disasters sites.
Notifies key personnel to ensure public safety in potentially life-threatening situations.
May be required to be on 24-hour stand-by, with limited response time, during high alert incidents or natural disasters.
Other duties may be assigned.