Police Communication OPR III

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as a Shift Supervisor for the UFPD Communications Center, overseeing both sworn and non-sworn employees. The role involves supervising, training, advising, and counseling staff, regulating activities, and providing instruction on duties and responsibilities. The supervisor conducts pre-shift briefings to inspect employees, discuss departmental orders, and review procedures for call taking, police dispatching, and teletype functions. A key responsibility is ensuring all calls for service are handled efficiently and professionally. The position also acts as a Communications Training Officer, training personnel in various communication methods. Performance evaluations, work schedules, and documentation of subordinate performance are managed by this role. The supervisor handles complaints, grievances, and conflicts, with the authority to take corrective or recommend disciplinary actions. This role is crucial for operating the UFPD Communications Center, providing radio communication support, and maintaining links between field officers, supervisors, emergency services, and other law enforcement agencies. Duties include operating FCIC/NCIC teletype, modifying records in state and national databases, receiving and evaluating public calls, inputting and transmitting call information via computer-assisted dispatch (CAD) or manual systems, and referring callers to appropriate agencies. The position involves updating and monitoring unit status, transmitting requests for emergency services, and retrieving data using the CAD system. It also requires using various criminal justice and public safety computer systems to check records such as driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, warrants, and criminal histories. Monitoring security and fire alarms on specific systems (Lenel, SIS, RMS, UFTR) is also part of the job. The role involves obtaining and verifying information for field units via computer, radio, and telephone, and contacting other public safety agencies for assistance. Preparation of departmental logs and reports, support for special events, and assessment of computer and radio system failures are expected. The position involves interviewing job applicants, completing emergency notification messages for critical situations, attending/conducting training, and preparing detailed records. Testimony and appearance in judicial proceedings may also be required.

Requirements

A high school diploma and three years of appropriate experience with a public safety communications center.
Supplemented by three years of experience or training as a supervisor of a public safety communications center or any equivalent combination of education, training and appropriate experience.
Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.
Proficiency in typing.
State certification on the NCIC/FCIC computer system required within six months of employment.
Florida Department of Health E911 Telecommunicator certification required.
Must be able to type proficiently, minimum 35 CWPM.

Nice To Haves

Considerable experience in the operation of a public safety communications center.
Knowledge of training/educational and supervisory methods, practices, and procedures.
Knowledge of public safety dispatch operations – scheduling, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating work.
Knowledge of department policies and procedures.
Oral and written communication skills.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
Ability to evaluate subordinates' performance and behavior and provide constructive feedback and coaching.
Ability to provide supervision, leadership, and direction to subordinates.
Ability to supervise the maintenance of dispatching procedures, including coordination with local agencies as needed and in accordance with departmental procedures.
Ability to make correct decisions and function effectively and efficiently in high-stress emergencies.
Ability to handle several activities simultaneously.
Ability to respond to the public in a calm, effective manner.
Ability to accurately receive information and input the same into the computer-assisted dispatch program.
Ability to compile and compare written logs and reports.
Ability to use various training styles to achieve objectives.
Ability to perform basic arithmetical calculations.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
Ability to coordinate and disseminate information accurately.
Ability to speak clearly and listen effectively.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to supervise, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Ability to foster a team and a positive work environment.

Responsibilities

Supervise all employees (sworn and non-sworn) assigned to work in the UFPD Communications Center.
Supervise, train, advise, and counsel all employees assigned.
Regulate activities and provide instruction regarding the duties and responsibilities of Police Communications Operators to subordinates.
Conduct briefings (as necessary) prior to shift assignments.
Ensure all calls for service are handled as quickly and professionally as possible.
Serves as Communications Training Officer, training personnel in the methods and procedures of call taking, police dispatching, and teletype functions.
Review, evaluate, and/or document all shift subordinates’ work performance, evaluations, and work schedules.
Receive, process, and aid in the resolution of any complaint registered from and/or against shift employees, work schedule conflicts, grievances, personal conflicts, or other issues (as necessary).
Exercise authority to take corrective actions, or to recommend disciplinary actions effectively.
Supervises and participates as required in the activation of emergency notifications.
Operate UFPD Communications Center, providing radio communication support to sworn and non-sworn department employees.
Maintain radio/telephone communication link between field officers and base station, supervisors, emergency services, and other law enforcement agencies.
Perform duties associated with the Florida Crime Information Center/National Crime Information Center (FCIC/NCIC) teletype.
Modify records in state and national computer databases.
Receive and evaluate calls from the public requesting police assistance, of both emergency and non-emergency natures.
Input and transmit call information using computer-assisted dispatch system or manual card system.
Refer callers to appropriate agencies or extensions.
Contact appropriate parties to notify of complaints and/or actions required.
Use computer-assisted dispatch system to update and monitor unit status, transmit requests for emergency services, and retrieve various data and records.
Use various criminal justice and public safety computer systems to check drivers’ license records, vehicle registrations, stolen article files, warrants, criminal history, and missing persons listings.
Monitor for activation of security and fire alarms on the Lenel, SIS, RMS, and UFTR alarm systems.
Obtain and/or verify other information required by field units using computer, two-way radio communications, and telephone.
Contact other public safety agencies to obtain assistance (as needed).
Prepare various departmental logs, reports, and forms.
Provide support to special events in various capacities.
Assess failure of computer and radio systems, take necessary action, and make appropriate notifications.
Participates in interviewing job applicants.
Complete emergency notification messages for in-progress or dangerous situations that immediately threaten the health and safety of the campus community.
Attend and/or conduct training classes.
Prepare detailed records and reports in a timely manner.
Provide testimony and/or appear in judicial proceedings.