Communications Officer

State of Oklahoma • Ardmore, MO

6d

About The Position

The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety is seeking a dependable, service-minded professional to support its mission of protecting the public and serving the people of Oklahoma. The role operates communications equipment and systems to support field personnel, agency headquarters, law enforcement officials, and emergency services. It also includes planning and coordinating communications-center operations, training, inspections, and security activities.

Candidates must be U.S. citizens of good moral character, be at least 18 years old, and have a high school diploma or GED. Final candidates will be scheduled for a hearing test before starting. The appointed employee must serve an initial 12-month probationary period, which may be extended by up to three months. Some positions in this job family are safety-sensitive.

Requirements

• Be a citizen of the United States and of good moral character.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalency certificate.
• Knowledge of Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations concerning radio communications.
• Knowledge of OLETS, NLETS, and NCIC operating manuals.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws concerning use of criminal records.
• Knowledge of agency communications policies and procedures, office practices and procedures, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Ability to operate radio and telecommunications equipment.
• Ability to maintain operating efficiency under emergency and stressful conditions, maintain effective working relationships, and follow complex written instructions.
• Ability to type accurately from plain copy at 25 words per minute.
• Pass a hearing test scheduled by the hiring agency before entry on duty.
• Serve an initial 12-month probationary period, which the Commissioner may extend by up to three months.

Responsibilities

• Operate radio communications equipment and receive and dispatch messages on an assigned shift, providing a communications link among field personnel, agency headquarters, law enforcement, and emergency services.
• Operate teletype and computer systems to obtain information through OLETS, NLETS, and NCIC.
• Interpret and relay information to field personnel about wanted persons, legal violations, and other criminal activity.
• Research criminal history information, including available INTERPOL data.
• Make immediate decisions about information received and disseminate it to field personnel, agency officials, and other law enforcement agencies as appropriate.
• Maintain written records and logs of shift activities.
• Compose and release messages concerning accidents, emergencies, hazardous materials, incidents, weather conditions, and similar situations to field offices, news media, and relevant agencies.
• Plan, organize, and direct communications-center operations and programs; assist with developing agency rules, regulations, and policies concerning communications equipment, staff, and systems.
• Coordinate operational and administrative matters with other divisions and agencies, including Highway Patrol troop commanders, civil defense officials, the Department of Transportation, and local law enforcement officials.
• Conduct on-site inspections of communications centers to evaluate operations and personnel and ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Develop and conduct training in communications procedures and requirements; collect, prepare, organize, and edit instructional materials.
• May serve on screening boards concerning promotions, hiring, reinstatement, and disciplinary actions; represent the agency regarding user agreements and accountability for terminal operation, security, and information use.
• Monitor security within the communications center or facility.

Benefits

• At least 15 days of paid vacation
• 15 days of sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Comprehensive benefits package, including a benefit allowance to offset insurance premiums for employees and eligible dependents

What This Job Offers

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