Communications Officer Pool

Communications Officer Position Summary

The Communications Officer provides ongoing communication support to field units responding to calls and conducting patrols. The role requires managing multiple tasks simultaneously while gathering essential information from callers, often uncooperative or emotional. The officer must calmly obtain required data to determine resource dispatch, taking control of chaotic, stressful situations. This position places agents at the center of life-or-death scenarios, demanding stringent training and rigorous standards.

Officers must stay current with technology, policies, procedures, and best practices impacting public safety, maintaining a calm, professional demeanor while handling both emergency and non‑emergency calls.

• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Minimum 18 years of age
• Valid driver license
• Type a minimum of 20 words per minute
• Certifications:
  • Obtain State of Florida Safe Telecommunicator Certification within one (1) year of hire
  • Obtain Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch
  • Obtain Emergency Fire Dispatch Certification from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch

• Receive, process, or forward all wrecker requests to the designated supervisor
• Accurately maintain wrecker files
• Generate communications reports
• Utilize communications resources to provide inquiring persons correct information
• Promptly route calls to the proper authority
• Accurately track, monitor and document all deputies and other members’ activities during their tour of duty
• Dispatch deputies for service calls
• Provide deputies with updates and additional information as it becomes available
• Respond to outside agencies’ requests for assistance
• Complete CAD system entries for service calls
• Receive requests for watch order checks or extra patrols
• Accurately complete and submit WO/EP forms by end of shift
• Correctly discriminate between emergency and non‑emergency calls
• Effectively prioritize calls for service
• Operate the telephone console/switchboard
• Ensure the appropriate agency response to the caller or appropriate members are dispatched to the scene
• Answer calls in a courteous and professional manner
• Assist callers as appropriate, determining the nature of a call and transferring the call to the appropriate member
• Promptly dispatch appropriate units to calls based on priority, location, and resource availability
• Effectively disseminate information received over the National Warning System Terminal from FEMA and the National Weather Service to all appropriate members/agencies
• Operate NCIC/FCIC computer to standards mandated by state and federal authorities
• Receive and disseminate accurate information to authorized members in a timely manner
• Notify surrounding agencies of robberies and priority events
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date communications/dissemination logs
• Contact the appropriate entity to verify warrants to ensure they are complete, accurate and still outstanding
• Notify appropriate personnel of applicable information and properly update records
• Utilize the 2‑way radio for official communications only
• Participate in in‑house and external trainings to develop specialized knowledge for communications call taking and/or dispatch duties
• Follow International Academies of Emergency Dispatch for Fire (EFD) and Medical (EMD) interrogations prior to the arrival of the first responders
• Respond to Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles check requests, retrieve and disseminate requested information promptly
• Review bulletins, requests for service and other information received from criminal justice agencies via teletype
• Promptly take appropriate action as necessary, routing and dispersing requests to the appropriate personnel or assigning them to another member for follow‑up
• Other duties as assigned

• Maintains a clean, organized, safe and presentable work area
• Communicates clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
• Exhibits situational awareness of surrounding conditions
• Communicates in a clear, concise, and intelligible manner on the radio
• Transmits information in a clear and articulate manner
• Multi‑tas…