Communications Officer

Hamilton County, Indiana • Noblesville, IN

11d • Onsite

About The Position

Incumbent serves as Communications Officer for the Communications department, responsible for receiving emergency and non-emergency calls and taking appropriate action, maintaining various records. This position requires the ability to work in a basement environment with no windows and to work rapidly for long periods, often amidst frequent distractions and interruptions. The role involves maintaining accurate computer records of radio traffic calls, assigning units, and entering information into the Computer Aided Dispatch System. The Communications Officer must also maintain current knowledge of the county, including municipalities, subdivisions, and streets, and assist in training new Dispatchers. Full-time personnel must complete a minimum of 12 hours of in-service training per calendar year. This is a full-time, non-exempt position with an hourly rate of $30.1513.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or GED
• Ability to acquire/maintain required certifications, IDACS/NCIC computer systems, CPR/ and emergency medical dispatch.
• Ability to meet all department hiring and retention requirements, including incumbent not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the work place.
• Practical knowledge of area law enforcement, EMS and fire service and ability to physically perform the essential duties of the position.
• Ability to effectively listen, comprehend, and communicate with a wide variety of emergency personnel, departments, and agencies, and the public, during varied situations, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.
• Ability to receive and dispatch calls and take authoritative action as situations demand, including calmly and professionally obtaining appropriate information and taking control of hysterical, hostile, and/or uninformed individuals in stressful/emergency situations.
• Thorough knowledge of the county, including streets, businesses and subdivisions, and ability to use and understand area maps, acronyms and codes.
• Ability to work in a basement environment with no windows.
• Ability to understand the operation of the 800 radio system including the 10-code system that is used with the radio system.
• Ability to type with accuracy and properly use various equipment, including two-way radio with multiple talk groups, computers, printers, copier, fax machine, paper shredder.
• Ability to work rapidly for long periods, work on several tasks at the same time, and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to condense large amounts of information into coherent typed remarks, and maintain detailed records as required.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions/directions, and appropriately respond to constructive criticism.
• Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information/records according to state requirements.
• Ability to work alone and with others in a team environment with minimum supervision, and maintain appropriate, respectful interrelationships with co-workers.
• Ability to comply with all employer/department personnel policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to work irregular, weekend and/or evening hours, including holidays.

Nice To Haves

• Full-time personnel must complete a minimum of 12 hours of in-service per calendar year.

Responsibilities

• Receives emergency calls, gathers maximum amount of information in minimum amount of time, determines appropriate response, dispatches personnel accordingly, and maintains communication with callers until units arrive, including comforting emotionally distraught persons, and providing instructions.
• Receives non-emergency calls, including determining nature of call, responding to inquiries, routing to appropriate person, or taking and forwarding detailed information.
• Coordinates various agencies/departments for continuous on-call service.
• Monitors radio and Talk Group activities of various public safety agencies within the county and surrounding counties.
• Notifies and/or dispatches local emergency personnel as situations demand, using computer-aided dispatching system.
• Communicates with field units, assessing unit safety and need for backup, dispatching backup units and other emergency personnel as necessary.
• Verifies, enters, maintains, documents and retrieves IDACS/NCIC information for law enforcement and related departments/agencies.
• Receives/transmits information pertaining to, but not limited to, criminal histories, driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, gun permits, runaways, missing persons, and stolen property.
• Contacts state and local highway/street departments and various institutions of impending severe weather, such as schools and medical facilities.
• Enters/maintains accurate computer records and of radio traffic calls, assigning unit(s), following up on disposition of call, and entering information into the Computer Aided Dispatch System.
• As needed, contacts wrecker services for towing services, enters vehicle information into the Computer Aided Dispatch System.
• On a regular basis contacts and works with other agencies in the county such as: utility companies, telephone companies, wireless phone companies, alarm companies, local, state, and federal agencies.
• Responsible for maintaining their personal work email account, reviewing and communicating through email as necessary.
• Assists in maintaining communications equipment, checking for proper operation and notifying Communications supervisor of problems.
• Maintains current knowledge of county, including municipalities, subdivision, and streets.
• Assists in training new Dispatchers.
• Attend in-service training as dictated by policy.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life (employee, spouse, children)
• Long and short-term Disability
• Hamilton County Employee Health Center & Pharmacy (Noblesville/Westfield): High quality primary medical care facility and wellness services
• Advocacy Program – One-on-one appointment with a Physician to evaluate chronic illness/injuries
• Nutrition Education and Wellness Center (diabetes, high cholesterol, weight loss and management, cancer and kids health)
• Pharmacy – Low-cost co-payments, encourage use of generic meds, Medication Management Program providing review of medication interactions/effectiveness
• Sick leave
• Bereavement
• Holidays (10-13 per year)
• Compensatory time
• Paid time off (1 week at 6 months, 2 weeks at 1 year then an additional day each year until max of 22 days on year 15). Upon completion of 30 years of service time, employees earn 1 additional day per year up to 40 years of service time.
• Indiana Public Employee Retirement Fund Pension (annuity & pension)
• AUL Deferred Compensation Plan
• McCready Retirement (Merit staff)

What This Job Offers

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