Communications Operator Trainee

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent. An evaluation of foreign high school diploma may be required.
• One (1) year of documented experience and/or training involving clerical, data entry, public contact and/or customer service work preferred.
• Experience in a police and/or fire rescue emergency dispatch center, police aide work, explorer program and/or college level course work in criminal justice, telecommunications, or related field preferred.
• Graduates holding a Department of Health Telecommunicator Certification preferred.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered. Such experience must be clearly documented for consideration.

Continued employment contingent upon the ability to participate in and satisfactorily complete within the initial probationary period the established in-house training and national certifications outlined herein that provide essential knowledge and skill in the communications dispatch function; successful completion of radio training on one (1) primary police dispatch radio group or one (1) primary fire rescue dispatch radio group required.

Employees in this classification are scheduled for shift assignments, which will include weekends, holidays, overtime hours, and extended emergency activation events (ie. hurricanes). Employees must engage in flexible work assignments as directed in order to meet probationary standards and requirements.

Employees must acquire and maintain active certifications (where applicable) for the following requirements:

• FCIC/NCIC Terminal Access Certification
• Crisis Intervention
• IAED Emergency Dispatch Certifications (EFD and EMD)
• APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification
• APCO Fire Service Communications Certification
• CPR Certification
• ICS 100, 144, 200, 700, 800 Certifications

Trainees who are successful with the training program and any necessary certifications will be reallocated to Step 1 of the Regional Communications Operator I pay scale ($60,313.23).

This is an entry level classification which provides the opportunity for both instructional and practical experience and broad exposure to the fundamentals of emergency call taking. Through attendance in the Regional Communications Academy, trainees will be educated to the processes of responding to callers reporting emergency and non-emergency complaints for police, fire, medical, and other public safety services received via telephone, text message, and other communications devices within the Regional Communications Division of the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

This is an entry level position in which emphasis is placed on training the incumbent for continued advancement through the Communications Operator classification series. Employees receive classroom instruction that will introduce law enforcement, fire, and medical call interrogation techniques, education, and certification on International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) protocols, and the utilization of various software applications to include Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and VIPER telephonic equipment.

Classroom training will be followed by on-the-job training with a Regional Communications Training Officer prior to being released to work independently on call taking assignments. Employees in this classification receive supervision and administrative direction from a supervisor. Emphasis is placed on training the incumbent for continued employment within the agency. Performs related work as directed.

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

Attends the Regional Communications Academy intended to provide preparatory training for a career in regional communications.

Actively participates in classroom instruction that will introduce law enforcement, fire, and medical call interrogation techniques, International Academy of Emergency Dispatch…