Communications Officer; Certified

Job Description

Final date to receive applications - March 31, 2027

6am - 6pm or 6pm - 6am. Work four days, Off three days.

• Receives and screens incoming calls from the public and other user agencies; categorizes and prioritizes calls, including 911 calls.
• Determines and dispatches the appropriate emergency personnel to incident locations; provides emergency medical instructions to callers prior to arrival of responders as needed.
• Receives and processes non‑emergency calls; forwards to appropriate department; receives and processes after‑hours complaints from the public.
• Inquires, retrieves, and monitors data from ACJIC/NCIC database; ensures compliance with rules and regulations; retrieves information related to outstanding warrants, criminal histories, driver histories, vehicle histories, etc.; disseminates information related to criminal histories, driver histories, terrorist threats, felon registration, sex offender registration, lost or stolen items, missing persons, etc.
• Maintains contact with emergency personnel in the field; provides information to responding units regarding location, directions, changes to circumstances, etc.; responds to information requests from responding units.
• Provides pre‑arrival instructions to callers in compliance with Emergency Medical Dispatch guidelines.
• Coordinates assistance from other agencies and/or departments as requested, including contacting other agencies for response to specific situations.
• Operates telecommunications equipment, including radios, telephones, CAD, mapping systems, telecommunications devices, weather monitoring equipment, etc.
• Monitors and utilizes non‑emergency radios as needed.
• Monitors security cameras.
• Performs related duties.

• Knowledge of emergency communications principles and practices.
• Knowledge of ACJIC/NCIC policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of emergency dispatch procedures.
• Knowledge of radio and telecommunications equipment.
• Knowledge of CAD system functions and maintenance.
• Skill in the use of computers and job‑related software programs.
• Skill in making decisions in high pressure and emergency situations.
• Skill in public relations.
• Skill in interpersonal relations.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table.
• The work is typically performed in a Communications Center.

• Graduation from a standard senior high school or GED equivalent, as recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); and
• Must be at least 19 years of age; and
• Two (2) years work experience as a Police, Fire, EMS and E911 dispatcher; or
• One (1) year current continuous experience as a Public Safety Calltaker with the City of Dothan in the Communications Officer progression; and
• Possession of current certification in Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Public Safety Telecommunicator I (PST1) course (40 hours initial course) or other state and/or agency equivalent certification; and
• Possession of current certification in American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Course or American Red Cross equivalent; and
• Possession of current certification in National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC) certification or other state equivalent certification in the use of the Criminal Justice Information Center and the FBI National Crime Information Center systems.
• Possession of current certification in Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Course (32 hours initial course, 12 hours annual recertification) preferred.
• Possession of current certification in Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Communications Training Officer (CTO) Course (32 hours initial course, 12 hours annual recertification) preferred.
• Completion of Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) training in Southern Software Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) preferred.
• Completion of Public Safety Answering…