Communications Operator

City of Miami Beach • Miami Beach, FL

30d • Onsite

About The Position

This position performs telecommunications work in support of the operations of the City of Miami Beach Public Safety Communications Division. NOTE: Starting pay incentive will be applied based on experience, certifications and qualifications. Shift differential: $0.75 Afternoon Shift $1.00 Midnight Shift Accreditation Performance Incentive: $750.00 Every Three months contingent on case evaluation compliance scores. Second Language Pay equal to 2% of biweekly base pay.

Requirements

• Two year degree OR one (1) year of experience relevant to the major duties/essential functions of the position. Part-time experience will be prorated.
• Possession of Certification in requisites of FCIC/NCIC (Florida Crime Information Center) within twelve (12) months of employment.
• Must be able to type 35 correct w.p.m.
• Must be able to work variable shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be fluent in English, both written and spoken.
• Ability to fluently speak a second language.
• Must pass an extensive criminal background check.
• Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the State of Florida (within 30 days of employment for non-Florida residents) for the type of vehicle or equipment operated with an acceptable driving record

Responsibilities

• Secure communications with the service requester, given a communication device, a means of collecting information, and a work station, so that a communication link with the requester is achieved.
• Collect pertinent information, given a request for service, so that accurate information regarding the request is obtained.
• Utilize nonverbal communications, given a request for service through a communications device, so that accurate information regarding the request is obtained.
• Prepare records of public safety services requests, given agency policies, procedures, guidelines, and resources, so that the record is correct, complete, and concise.
• Application of basic language and writing skills, interpreting and condensing information, basic computer skills, keyboarding, mousing, typing skills, legible handwriting.
• Utilize information provided by a service requester, given the policies, procedures, and guidelines of the agency, so that the request is accurately categorized and prioritized.
• Determine incomplete, conflicting, or inconclusive information or data, given agency policies, procedures, guidelines, protocols, and resources, so that an allocation of resources is selected.
• Notify correct personnel about addition, deletion, and correction of data, given agency policies, procedures, guidelines, and protocols, so that documents, files, databases, maps, and resource lists are accurately maintained.
• Respond to requests for information, given an inquiry from the public or the media, so that the policies, procedures, and guidelines are followed.
• The ability to approach an individual exhibiting sings of emotional or behavioral distress, to use empathic and listening skills, to refer individual to an employee assistance program (EAP), community mental health program, chaplain, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, or an individual trained in emotional and behavioral health.
• Provides Emergency Medical, Fire and Police Dispatch pre-arrival instructions as needed.
• Keeps caller on phone line, during in-progress incidents or in-crisis scenarios, in order to keep control of the situation while updating, recording, and relaying information as needed, until the appropriate agency arrives.
• Inputs, retrieves, and relays pertinent information and originates requests to dispatchers; receives and records all follow-up information on active, pending, and closed incidents.
• Responds to inquiries or requests information by telephone or in writing from City Police, Fire, or other departments; other police or fire departments; ambulance companies; hospitals; utility companies; towing companies; alarm companies; the media; other agencies; and the general public.
• Locates and/or identifies callers unable or unwilling to disclose location yet in need of assistance; cross references addresses, telephone numbers, or other information in manual or automated files.
• Assists dispatchers in re-contact of original complaint, follow-up, and forwarding information to supervisors, other agencies, and required respondents.
• Relays pertinent information and requests for assistance regarding ocean rescue, traffic signal malfunctions, power failures, outages, and other situations to proper agencies.
• Prepares and maintains logs, activity records, and other written or computerized records or reports for telephone calls received, actions taken, towed/repossessed vehicles, lost/found animals, ambulances, etc.
• Responds to emergency back-up center during times of natural disaster.
• Acts as a liaison between citizens unable to speak English and appropriate translating agencies.
• Updates reference materials as needed.
• Assists in the training of new personnel.
• Ensures desk position is equipped with necessary supplies; ensures equipment is functional and in good working order; performs basic upkeep of desk position; maintains supply inventory.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Benefits are available to FULL-TIME employees only.
• The City of Miami Beach offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 12 vacation, 12 sick days, 15 paid holidays (11 holidays and 4 floating holidays); partially sponsored by the City group medical (including visual) and dental insurance, life insurance.
• Excellent retirement plan: pre-tax employee contribution added to the City's contribution; 5 year "cliff vesting."
• Voluntary Benefits (fully paid by the employee, but payroll deductible): flexible spending account; 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, and Roth IRA; universal and critical life insurance, disability insurance, long-term care, and lump sum cancer policy.
• Also, U.S. Legal Services, tuition assistance, pre-tax payroll contributions, continuation of medical and dental coverage up to 18 months upon termination (COBRA).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees