Communications Officer

City of Green Cove Springs•Green Cove Springs, FL

9d•Onsite

About The Position

This position performs skilled work in receiving incoming calls to the Police Department's Communication Center, including requests for police and fire services or information, and dispatches necessary units and equipment for emergency service through the use of telephone, radio, and other communications equipment. The Department must actively recruit diverse, high-performing candidates. At a minimum, this requires a rigorous screening, background check, and selection process for all full- and part-time communications officers.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and one (1) year of experience or completion of a recognized police communication training course.
Any combination of training, education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered for the minimum qualifications.
Possession of a valid Class "E" Florida Driver’s License and compliance with vehicle use policy requirements, Section 8.15(c) in the City's Personnel Manual.
Possession of a State of Florida Certification as a 911 Safety Telecommunicator.
Possession of a certification for FCIC/NCIC within the time frame as outlined by FDLE.
Satisfactory completion of the required communications training program within the designated time period.
Ability to remain calm and obtain specific information from individuals in stress-producing situations.
Ability to learn the geography of the city and the locations of streets and important structures.
Ability to learn quickly the operation of the telephone, teletype, radio, computer and other communications equipment.
Ability to speak clearly and precisely in a well-modulated voice and use good diction.
Ability to speak persuasively in positive and negative situations.
Ability to work under pressure, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
Ability to prepare and maintain reports and records.
Ability to accurately record a variety of information and instructions.
Ability to remember and relay complex instructions and information.
Ability to operate a computer.
Ability to operate necessary equipment.
Ability to effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with law enforcement officers, co-workers, other employees, the public and external agencies.
Ability to hear well.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to read normal printed instructions printed in the English language.
Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Fingerprint-based record check will/has been conducted for all individuals seeking employment with the Agency.

Nice To Haves

Experience is preferred
If you are certified, please make sure to attach your 911 Safety Telecommunicator certification and your FCIC/NCIC certificate.

Responsibilities

Operates multi-line telephones, two-way radios, and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems to receive, prioritize, and dispatch calls for police services; utilizes additional communications equipment to support field officers and ensure public and officer safety.
Receives and processes emergency and non-emergency calls for service, dispatches appropriate personnel and equipment to the scenes of police incidents, traffic accidents, rescue operations, and other public safety emergencies.
Answers incoming telephone calls, screening for the nature and urgency of each call, and routes callers to the appropriate personnel, department, or external agency as needed.
Greets citizens and visitors in the lobby, providing courteous and professional customer service and assistance.
Enters communications logs and crime report information into computer systems; performs various clerical tasks including recordkeeping, filing, indexing, and maintaining departmental records.
Scans and maintains records of trespass warnings, residential security checks, and private property enforcement affidavits, ensuring accurate documentation and timely updates as required.
Answers 911 emergency calls, determines the nature of the incident, and routes fire and rescue calls to the appropriate agency: dispatches police units as necessary based on the situation.
Answers non-emergency calls regarding utility service outages and dispatches utility personnel outside of regular business hours; provides status updates to on-call personnel as required.
Operates a wide range of communications and data systems, including FCIC/NCIC teletype, in-house CAD and records management systems, 911 and non-emergency phone systems, Motorola emergency radio system, Rapid Emergency Interface, Law Enforcement Information Exchange (LInX), FLOCK system, MiniCAD, and TDD. Also operates standard office and support equipment such as copy/fax/scanner machines, paging systems, Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID), and 911/non-emergency recording systems, as well as other related communications technology.
May be required to serve as the agency’s FAC (Florida Administrative Coordinator) and liaison between the Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE); assists with preparation for FDLE audits and meets with auditors as needed.
Reviews compliance checklists regularly to ensure department adherence to state standards.
Validates FCIC/NCIC files for FDLE in accordance with regulatory requirements.
May be required to fulfill designated CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) roles related to the security and operation of the communications function. Assigned roles may include: CJIS Agency Coordinator (CAC), Local Agency Security Officer (LASO), FCIC Agency Coordinator (FAC), Alternate FAC (Alt-FAC), Validations Administrator, NLETS (NLETS/NxTest) Administrator, CJIS Online Administrator, FALCON Application Access Administrator (AAA), and Public Access System (PAS) Contact.
Creates and maintains user accounts within the CJIS Online Security System; coordinates and issues required CJIS security training for ride-along applicants.
Works hours outside the regular schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, and special assignments as required.
Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as assigned, consistent with the responsibilities of the position.