Job Description

Position Title:        Communications Operator

Department:          Police

Location:               19701 Morris Ave, Manvel

Exemption Status:  Non-Exempt

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

• To provide telecommunications services for police, fire and emergency medical service units in emergency and administrative cases.
• To handle and assign units for all incoming calls for service including, but not limited to, police, fire, ambulance and citizens who walk in to call for service.

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WORK PERFORMED

1. Answers police, fire and ambulance emergency telephone calls; answers calls for police staff.
2. Dispatches police, fire and ambulance units to scene of emergency calls for service; gives information or routes calls as appropriate for administrative or non-emergency calls.
3. Maintains radio contact and transmits message with emergency response and administrative personnel.
4. Operates City, State and National computer systems to input and retrieve data, to record all times and activities related to crimes, enforcement processes, medical emergencies and fires.
5. Monitors internal closed-circuit television to ensure staff safety.
6. Performs other duties within areas of responsibility as assigned.

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SUPERVISION EXERCISED

1. Positions Directly Supervised:  (Number and Titles) Not Applicable
2. Positions Indirectly Supervised: (Number and Titles) Not Applicable

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SUPERVISION RECEIVED

1. Title of Supervisor:

   1. Communications Supervisor

   2. Lt.

   3. Chief
       

2. Nature of Supervision:

Work is typically reviewed daily.  Problems referred to supervisor include, but not limited to, costly maintenance or equipment failures, personnel problems and verification of accuracy and quality of decisions made.

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RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY

1. Decision Making:
   1. Policies, general procedures and past practices cover most, but not all of the problems addressed.  Decisions are typically made independent of direct supervision.
   2. Determines the seriousness of calls for service, assigning a response code and the number/type of units needed to service them.
   3. In emergencies, decides whether to and what information to give callers to aid a victim while units are en route to a scene.
       

2. Equipment:
   1. Frequently uses City, State and Federal computer systems, two-way radio, regular and emergency telephone systems and two-way Nextel phone.
   2. Occasionally uses typewriter, printer, calculator, fax machine and copier.
       

3. Finances:
       Not applicable
    

4. Public Contacts  (Nature and Identity):
   1. Exchanges information or mutual aid with area police, fire and emergency medical services personnel.
   2. Contact area towing companies and hospitals; provides directions for life flight helicopter services to emergency scenes.
   3. Continuous telephone contact and occasional direct contact with citizens seeking service information.
       

5. Internal Contacts (Nature and Identity):
   1. Exchanges routine information with staff of the Police Department, Municipal Court, Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, Public Works and City Hall.

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SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

1. Minimum Education and Experience to Perform to Job:
   1. High School diploma or G.E.D.
   2. Previous Dispatch experience requested but not required.
       

2. Knowledge or Skill Proficiencies:
   1. Strong communication skills and clear diction.
   2. CRT/PC data and word processing.
   3. Basic file and record management skills.
       

3. Special Aptitudes and Abilities Required:
   1. Ability to work in high stress situations.
   2. Ability to process messages quickly and accurately.
   3. Ability to manage multiple demands and tasks, establishing and acting on priorities set by analysis.
       

4. Required Licenses, Registries and Certificates:
   1. Certification as a Texas Telecommunications Operator within one year of employment.
   2. Certification of the DPS TLETS/NLETS & TCIC/NCIC Basic Procedures Course within one year of employment.
   3. Valid Texas Driver’s License, Class C.

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WORKING CONDITIONS – GENERAL

• Works indoors
• Stress and physical exhaustion may result from performing in situations threatening the life of citizens and/or public safety personnel.
• Work schedule will soon require shift hours throughout a 24-hour day, seven days per week.
• Occasional physical effort to handle file boxes/cabinets and materials within the work place or in a storage area.

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