Communications Specialist (Police Dispatcher)

City of Greenbelt•Greenbelt, MD

About The Position

The Communications Specialist receives, evaluates, and processes requests for police assistance and operates base radio equipment to dispatch police units. The role maintains radio contact with mobile units, tracks their status, handles emergency and non-emergency calls, coordinates with other public safety agencies, and provides assistance to citizens at Police Headquarters. It also involves entering and retrieving crime-related information, verifying wants and warrants, monitoring security cameras, and completing records and clerical work. Communications Specialist II additionally trains new Communications Specialists.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Communications Specialist I: one to two years of progressively responsible experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Communications Specialist II: two to four years of progressively responsible experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
National Crime Information Center Certification.
Knowledge of a typewriter keyboard, the current dispatching system, relevant computer applications and hardware, and department organization, operating guidelines, policies, rules, and regulations.
Skill in operating communications equipment, including multi-button telephones, base radio, computer terminals, and teletype equipment, quickly and accurately.
Skill in preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
Ability to communicate courteously, orally and in writing, with internal staff, the public, and other departmental staff.
Ability to operate and maintain assigned equipment.
Ability to speak clearly in English over the phone and radio while tactfully communicating with highly emotional callers.
Ability to learn and operate computer-aided dispatch equipment.
Ability to comprehend English-language materials and learn job-related material through oral instruction, observation, and structured lecture.
Ability to enter data using a terminal, computer, or other keyboard device.
Ability to learn geographic areas, including operating beats and associated police problems.
Ability to remain calm and exercise judgment under heavy workload in emergency situations, determine emergency priorities, and maintain effective working relationships.

Responsibilities

Maintain radio contact with mobile units, monitor their status, and update status information as it changes.
Receive calls from field units and transmit messages by radio or telephone.
Receive emergency calls, determine the nature and location of emergencies, prioritize them, and dispatch units as necessary.
Coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other public safety agencies.
Receive non-emergency and maintenance service calls for assistance.
Enter, update, and retrieve crime-related information from computer and teletype networks.
Monitor security cameras overlooking Police Headquarters, processing areas, jail cells, and Roosevelt Center.
Perform record keeping, filing, indexing, and other clerical work; maintain documents relating to public safety activities.
Notify allied agencies of misdirected calls for police service.
Verify wants and warrants and interpret information returned to the terminal.
Assist citizens who come to Police Headquarters with requests or complaints.
For Communications Specialist II, train new Communications Specialists in job duties and responsibilities.
Perform other related duties as assigned.