DISTRICT POLICE- COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST SR

Orange County Public Schools•Orlando, FL

3h•$20 - $24

About The Position

This position is within OCPS District Police-Communications and Records Unit (CRU). CRU serves as a critical communications resource and is responsible for coordinating district-wide police, public safety-related communications and the administration of law enforcement records. CRU’s Communications Center is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the entire year.The CRU Communication Specialist, Senior is certified by the State of Florida’s Department of Health as 911 Public Safety Telecommunicators. They utilize complex and sensitive police and public safety communication devices, criminal justice information systems, criminal intelligence applications and related technologies to perform their duties.

Requirements

Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with an emphasis in an area of study relevant to the position and four (4) years of experience working in a 911 public safety communications center; or any equivalent combination of related education, training (State of Florida Public Safety Telecommunicator training or equivalent) and/or experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential job functions. Maintains all mandatory certifications (Department of Health, CJIS, etc.), and ensures that re-certifications are completed in the timeframe allotted.
Competency in the use of police and public safety communications and related technology;
Competency in the use of criminal justice information systems to include FCIC and NCIC;
Ability to consistently respond to the district community and general public in a courteous, calm and effective manner;
Ability to function under stress and in emergency situations while making sound independent decisions;
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing for the purpose of public interaction and report writing.
Ability to speak clearly on multiple communication devices to include telephones and radios, using proper grammar and tone.
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and activities in a fast-paced and time-constrained environment in accordance with established policies, procedures and training.
Ability to collect information, and relay such in an accurate, factual and timely manner.
Ability to maintain satisfactory attendance and punctuality standard.
Must possess certification as a State of Florida Department of Health 911 Public Safety Tele communicator and maintain the certification (re-certification every 2 years) throughout employment in this position.
Must possess FCIC and NCIC Level 2 User certification and training as a condition of employment. Must maintain certification (re-certification every 2 years) throughout employment in this position.
Must successfully pass a comprehensive background assessment which includes all pre-employment requirements required by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Board policies related to policing and department standards.
Must be able to type no less than twenty-five (25) words per minute error free under stressful and time-sensitive circumstances.

Nice To Haves

Bi-lingual language skills are desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

Responds to internal and external customers in a timely, accurate, courteous and empathetic manner representing OCPS in a positive light.
Serves as a liaison for various departments district-wide after hours.
Answers all incoming radio and telephone calls; determines nature and location of calls; assesses scope and extent of the response necessary; dispatches appropriate field units; coordinates with external agencies and district business units and requests supplemental assistance as necessary.
Monitors and utilizes interagency law enforcement radio traffic to stay abreast of incidents that may impact operations within the district. Determines the possible impacts and makes appropriate notifications.
Coordinates appropriate response to all emergency situations by assessing the seriousness and complexity of an incident; provides guidance to students, faculty and staff in handling incidents until the arrival of emergency services; calms and reassures callers and provides responding units with pertinent information.
Provides a communications crosswalk between agencies and internal business units to ensure proper deployment of resources. Coordinates event and incident resource requirements with responders. Ensures that accurate and timely notifications are made to department and district leadership.
Maintains regular communications with department field units, and supports their activities as required and/or requested. Continuously monitors status of department field personnel to ensure their safety. Updates department and district leadership in a timely and accurate manner on emerging events and/or incidents being addressed by field personnel or other agencies. Updates on these incidents shall be provided as required.
Accurately enters, retrieves, and compiles data from a variety of databases. Utilizes National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) and related criminal justice information systems to support field-based inquiries by OCPS District Police.
Distributes teletypes generated by criminal justice information systems including but not limited to police officer safety issues, crimes in the vicinity of district facilities and schools, warrants, BOLOs and related information.
Efficiently operates computer-aided dispatch (CAD) program accurately inputting calls and other information into required fields. Ensures all incidents are coded correctly; queries system for information and tracks events. Assigns case numbers, warrants, records and other information related to calls.
Uses mapping software to support field units, and direct resources as appropriate. Maintains a high level of knowledge regarding the district’s geographical operating area using such to make informed decisions and to enhance ability to coordinate resources.
Maintains and updates police records as required by Board policy, department procedures, administrative rules, regulations, statutes and related user agreements. Completes recordkeeping functions, maintains accuracy, completeness and ensures availability for internal use and public dissemination as approved.
Monitors various fire safety, life safety and security systems to identify emerging situations that may pose a risk to district personnel, facilities and operations. Takes appropriate action to remedy situation, and report events through established channels.
Communicates with third party fire and security alarm monitoring centers regarding alarm activations, and takes necessary and appropriate actions to protect district facilities, personnel and resources.
Assists in the security of various sites by utilizing electronic security systems including AMAG Symmetry software to grant access remotely to emergency responders following departmental procedures.
Monitors weather conditions and advanced weather warning systems to identify weather-related events that may pose a risk to district personnel, facilities and operations. Makes appropriate notification as circumstances demand.
Maintains a general awareness of district events and operations to include after school activities, facilities use agreements, public hearings, special events and related activities. Acquires and maintains a working knowledge of learning communities, school locations and the location of other district facilities.
Routinely maintains situational awareness of county-wide events that may disrupt district operations or pose a risk to district personnel, facilities and resources. Makes appropriate notification as circumstances demand.
Preserves the physical security of the Communications Center restricting access to authorized personnel at all times. Ensures compliance to all criminal justice information system security procedures. Reports all violations of physical and information security standards to department leadership.
Follows all policies, processes and protocols related to the collection, use, security and distribution of law enforcement sensitive and other confidential and restricted information.
Participates in shift briefings, Communications and Records Unit meetings and other department activities (i.e., briefings, meetings, trainings and the like) as requested and/or required.
Assists the Senior Manager – Communications and Records with tasks as assigned to include but not limited to compiling and calculating statistics; coordinating shift workflow; participating in the development of standard operating procedures; processing law enforcement records; submitting work orders; assisting and training of new Communications Specialist I and IIs, updating contact lists and similar activities.
Assists the Senior Manager – Communications and Records with special projects and tasks as assigned.