Communications Officer

City of Forney•Forney, TX

About The Position

The City of Forney is seeking a dedicated and dependable Communications Officer for its Police Department. Under general supervision, the position processes emergency and non-emergency calls for service and dispatches police, firefighting, medical, rescue, animal control, and other emergency equipment by telephone or radio, using technical resources such as computer-aided dispatch systems and crime information databases. The role requires working calmly in a fast-paced environment and providing support to the community. The listed duties are representative rather than comprehensive. Employees may not perform every listed duty and may be assigned additional position-specific duties. The position exercises no direct supervision.

Requirements

Valid driver’s license.
High school graduation or equivalent.
At least one year of experience in a high-volume call center or 9-1-1 dispatch work environment, or an equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Valid Telecommunications Basic or Intermediate Operator Certification from the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement (TCOLE), or ability to earn certification within one year of employment.
Obtain TCIC/NCIC access and CJIS Security Awareness certification within six months.

Nice To Haves

Communications Training Officer Certification.
Emergency Police Dispatcher Certification.
Crisis Communications Certification.
Active Shooter (Assailant) Training Course.
Monthly Continuing Education Certifications.

Responsibilities

Answer incoming emergency and non-emergency calls and two-way radio transmissions; interpret incomplete or conflicting location information to direct first responders.
Represent and support City organizations positively.
Interview callers, analyze call details, prioritize service calls, determine appropriate responders, dispatch calls, relay relevant information, and assist the public within the scope of authority.
Gather, analyze, and report critical information to police officers and firefighters; track Police and Fire unit status and monitor radio and phone traffic for updates to relay to responders.
Perform officer inquiries and criminal history checks through TCIC and NCIC, and contact other agencies for warrant confirmations or general information.
Enter data for records and reports; process forms and files; query specialized databases as required.
Notify supervisory personnel of critical incidents and follow department policies and procedures to prioritize the safety of first responders and citizens.
Maintain confidentiality as required by law, agency policy, and other governing directives.
Search prisoners at an arresting officer’s request; monitor jail operations; maintain and update the jail log; coordinate inmate packets; deliver meals, medication, and sanitary supplies to inmates; and wash jail laundry as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.