Telecommunication Officer [Dispatcher]

City of Freeport, Texas•Freeport, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Telecommunication Officer position is skilled emergency service work that involves receiving emergency 911 and non-emergency requests for police assistance, determining the nature/urgency of calls, initiating police or other emergency personnel action and maintaining close contact with field units to monitor response and needed support requirements. It requires a considerable degree of initiative and independent judgment within procedural boundaries in responding to emotional, disturbed and sometimes abusive people in a variety of situations. Work may be done separately or in conjunction with other Telecommunication Officers and Telecommunication Officers may assist in training, teaching and basic operational equipment management. The Telecommunication Officer position requires rotating shift assignments and overtime in accordance with maintaining a fully operational 24-hour facility.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required
18 years of age minimum age requirement
Ability to communicate well with general public, supervisors, and co-workers
Must have a valid driver's license with good driving record
Must complete the Basic Telecommunication's Course within 6 months of employment
Problem solving skills
Observational skills
Teamwork skills
Proficient in writing
Proficient in basic mathematics
Proficient in computer skills
Proficient in self-management
Maturity
Levelheadedness
Honesty
Intelligence
Cooperative attitude
Courteousness
Dependability
Knowledgeable in city's ordinances, departmental standard operating procedures and regulations
Skilled in the operation of job specific tools and equipment
Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluation situations and in making sound decisions
Ability to effectively give and receive verbal and written instructions
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, and the public
Ability to meet the special requirements listed below
Knowledge of public service activity and methods of local government
Knowledge of computer technology and equipment
Knowledge of law enforcement terminology and procedures
Knowledge of geography for the City of Freeport and surrounding areas
Knowledge of English language for spelling and proper word usage
Skill in multi-tasking- coordinating simultaneous mental, manual and visual activities
Skill in observing situations analytically and objectively and relaying details accurately
Skill in communicating using two-way radio and telephone equipment
Skill in operating a variety of communications equipment effectively
Skill in reading and interpreting maps to determine locations and jurisdictional boundaries
Ability to speak clearly and concisely
Ability to think clearly and act quickly in emergencies
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Police Department personnel, other city employees, outside law enforcement agencies, and the general public
Ability to meet attendance schedule with dependability and consistency
Ability to lift objects of at least 50 lbs.
Ability to bend, stoop, crawl, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
Ability to operate, maneuver and/or steer equipment and machinery requiring simple, but continuous adjustments, such as car, computer terminal, first aid equipment and camera.
Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet, and limbs in performing semi-skilled movements such as data entry.
Ability to exert moderate physical effort in sedentary to light work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, forms, sounds, and odors associated with job-related objects, materials, and task.
Emergency or non-traditional work hours will be necessary.
Must maintain the ability to work under pressure with numerous distractions while maintaining good ethics and public service skills in adverse circumstances.
Must pass a drug analysis test, physical exam, and successfully complete a background check.

Nice To Haves

May assist in providing on-the-job training for Telecommunications Officers and submit progress reports and evaluations on trainees.

Responsibilities

Receives and responds to emergency and non-emergency calls including enhanced 911, and non-emergency calls from the public, dispatchers, and law enforcement agencies via telephone and radio systems and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems.
Processes and evaluates information received, prioritizes calls and dispatch required units and/or agencies.
Monitors and coordinates police unit activity and assignments via police radio frequencies.
Maintains status and locations of public safety personnel.
Utilizes technology such as computers, radio systems, telephones, fax machines and other communication equipment.
Creates and maintains automated or manual logs of public safety communications activity.
Accesses and enters sensitive data in local/state/national databases as necessary for investigative purposes.
Enters and maintains files for persons or property pending apprehension/recovery.
Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties.
Keeps informed of departmental regulations, policies and procedures.
May assist in providing on-the-job training for Telecommunications Officers and submit progress reports and evaluations on trainees.