Police - Emergency Communications Specialist

La Vergne Tennessee • La Vergne, TN

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About The Position

The Emergency Communication Specialist is a non-sworn, safety-sensitive, mission-critical position in the La Vergne Police Department. Under the direct supervision of the Emergency Communication Manager, the Specialist performs specialized telephone and radio communications work for the City’s Public Safety Communications Center and Enhanced 911 Public Safety Answering Point. The position provides service to citizens and Police and Fire Department personnel and supports emergency response operations that run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Specialists answer and process emergency and non-emergency calls, obtain and enter incident information, classify calls and determine response priorities, and dispatch police and fire personnel using radio consoles and computer-aided dispatch systems. They provide approved pre-arrival instructions, access secure law-enforcement databases, maintain records and logs, and communicate with callers and responders. The role requires tact, empathy, accuracy, confidentiality, and the ability to make decisions under stress.

Shifts are typically 12 hours and may be extended during emergencies, disasters, staffing shortages, workload demands, or work in progress. Specialists may be scheduled to work on a day off to meet staffing requirements. Employees must complete required APCO, TBI, FBI, and other criminal justice information system training and maintain certifications through annual retraining and recertification.

The posting lists a starting salary of $23.34 and describes benefits including paid insurance for the employee and family, retirement plans, paid time off and holidays, longevity pay, training, and professional development. The position requires a high school diploma or GED, a minimum age of 18, U.S. citizenship, a valid or obtainable Tennessee driver’s license, and successful completion of specified testing, background investigation, medical examination, polygraph, and psychological evaluation.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must have a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education.
• Must pass the Criticall Public Safety Dispatcher test.
• Must successfully complete an in-depth background investigation and meet the department’s background and disqualifier standards, including restrictions concerning criminal history, drug use, and employment conduct.
• Must pass a physical examination by a licensed physician.
• Must pass a polygraph examination conducted by a certified examiner.
• Must pass a psychological evaluation determining fitness to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must possess a valid Tennessee driver’s license or be able to obtain one within a reasonable period.
• Must be willing to attend TIES/NCIC and other Criminal Justice Information System training and pass all required tests with a minimum score of 80%.
• Must understand and abide by the immediate disqualifiers described in the job summary.
• Ability to operate telephone systems, radio equipment, CAD, computers, and related office equipment.
• Ability to communicate clearly, accurately, and professionally with callers, responders, coworkers, supervisors, and officials, including use of law-enforcement, emergency medical, and radio terminology.
• Ability to remain adaptable and perform under considerable stress during emergencies.
• Ability to maintain sensitive information confidentially.
• Ability to read and understand instructions, procedures, and job-related documentation, and to prepare reports using proper format, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Ability to make independent judgments when supervision is unavailable and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to use basic mathematical skills and coordinate hands and eyes when operating equipment.
• Ability to hear and speak effectively and to handle office equipment, control knobs, and switches.
• Must be able to move or carry objects or materials and exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of college coursework, equivalent to at least 64 semester hours.
• Experience in law-enforcement, fire, or EMS dispatch, or answering calls in an E-911 Public Safety Answering Point.

Responsibilities

• Answer incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services; obtain information needed for an appropriate response.
• Enter incident information accurately into the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and classify calls by nature and response priority.
• Operate radio consoles and related communications equipment to dispatch police and fire personnel and provide responders with relevant information.
• Track and document the status and location of personnel and equipment.
• Provide callers with approved self-help pre-arrival instructions using established priority dispatch protocols.
• Answer administrative and other non-emergency calls, provide information, and make referrals as appropriate.
• Access secure law-enforcement databases and conduct records and information searches.
• Enter and search records for stolen property, vehicles, weapons, AMBER Alerts, endangered children and persons, and SILVER Alerts in applicable databases.
• Obtain address and GPS mapping information and provide directions to responding personnel.
• Provide customer service and explain relevant ordinances, laws, policies, procedures, and reporting processes to the public and departmental personnel.
• Handle angry, upset, or distraught callers using conflict-resolution skills, tact, and empathy while following applicable laws and policies.
• Assist at community and informational events by directing people, answering questions, and providing written information.
• Maintain electronic and manual files, logs, forms, dispatch information, teletype messages, database entries, reports, and other records according to applicable guidelines.
• Complete required training and annual recertification, including APCO, TBI, FBI, and criminal justice information system requirements.
• Monitor activities in the Emergency Communication Center and provide backup when needed.
• Troubleshoot and maintain console equipment and workstation furniture.
• Perform assigned special projects and other duties as directed or as circumstances require.
• Receive and process 911 and administrative phone lines; communicate with police and fire units by radio.
• Monitor police and fire units geographically and locate streets, parks, public places, and landmarks throughout the city.
• Communicate with towing services, utility crews, and others as needed.
• Assign incident and arrest identification numbers and prepare or generate routine reports, logs, directories, forms, and other documents.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and perform basic computer maintenance tasks.
• Monitor closed-circuit security cameras, weather radar, severe-weather alert systems, and pertinent incoming NCIC messages.

Benefits

• 100% paid insurance for the employee and family, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, and Lasik coverage.
• 401(a) retirement plan with a 4.5% city contribution.
• 457 retirement plan with matching contributions up to 3.5%; vested immediately.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, 12 holidays, and the employee’s birthday off.
• Annual longevity service bonuses.
• Professional development opportunities and comprehensive APCO, TBI, and FBI training, with continuing recertification and career-path advancement.

What This Job Offers

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