Police Receptionist

City Of Burlington, Vermont • Burlington, VT

277d • $24 - $27

About The Position

This position is an administrative support position. The position works in the lobby / waiting area at the front desk for the Burlington Police Department (BPD). The position greets and receives visitors to the police department, as well as those who require police services, such as people making criminal complaints, external citizen complaints, or turning in or collecting property. The position answers both in-person and telephone inquiries about the BPD and its operations and services. This includes directing people to the appropriate part of the BPD, such as dispatch, patrol, or the CAIP (Crisis Advocacy Intervention Programs) team. The position sits in a safe, enclosed, and secure seat. From that seat, the position has access-control functions, including controlling a primary point of entry into the secure zone of the police department. This position verifies employees' identification, issues visitor passes, and observes and reports any unusual or suspicious persons or activities that take place in the lobby / waiting area of the police department. The person in this role MUST maintain a calm, courteous, and professional demeanor at all times, even when confronted by upset, distressed, or angry visitors. The position will interact with people of varying cultures and backgrounds, who exhibit different personality types. The position is expected to perform multiple tasks efficiently.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and two (2) years' of experience in an administrative office environment with an emphasis in customer service required or an equivalent combination of education and experience as determined by the Chief of Police.
• Must successfully complete Police Department oral-board interview and background investigation that complies with federal Department of Justice requirements around Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS).
• Working knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Word, the ability to learn computer systems such as Kronos (timekeeping software), and the ability to operate multi-extension telephone systems and properly direct incoming calls.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including copier, adding machine, postage meter.
• Competency in English language usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format of legal and business documents and correspondence.
• Ability to represent the BPD effectively and professionally in all interactions with the general public and multiple stakeholders, including City employees and elected officials.
• Ability to handle numerous phone calls and interface with multiple in-person visitors simultaneously, sometimes under pressure.
• Ability to maintain a calm, courteous, professional appearance and demeanor at all times, regardless of a visitor's behavior.
• Ability to learn and practice cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and to work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Ability to understand and comply with City standards, safety rules, and personnel policies.
• Regular attendance is necessary and is essential to meeting the position's expectations.
• Must be able to work both independently and as part of the customer-service team in a fast paced, complex, detail-oriented office environment that features many repetitive tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, work under pressure, and adhere to schedules.
• Ability to interact professionally and respectfully with co-workers, members of the public, and elected officials, in person, by telephone, and through email.

Responsibilities

• Greet members of the public in person and by telephone; answer calls, take messages, monitor email, and determine appropriate course of action for walk-in traffic and scheduled visitors.
• Staff the BPD's front desk and answer its primary telephone line.
• Respond to requests for information from members of the public, other City departments, or other stakeholders and partners.
• Resolve or refer complaints or other inquiries using the utmost diplomacy and tact; direct people expressing issues and concerns to the appropriate member of the BPD.
• Facilitate events hosted by the BPD or held in police headquarters, such as press conferences, employee events, or public meetings.
• Verify and issue visitor badges and maintain visitor logs.
• Provide back-up administrative support for Commission meetings as needed, and other public boards, committees and events.
• Compile and prepare agendas; schedule meetings and meeting space; warn meetings; record, transcribe and distribute minutes; assure follow-through to meeting issues; maintain records and files; assist in developing and disseminating outreach materials, publicity and signage plans; facilitate communication with other City Departments with direction from the Executive Manager.

Benefits

• Regular Full Time Non Exempt position
• Union Affiliation: American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

What This Job Offers

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