Telecommunication Officer Dispatcher

POSITION TITLE: Telecommunication Officer [Dispatcher]

DEPARTMENT: Freeport Police Department

RATE CLASS: Hourly

REPORTS TO: Telecommunication Supervisor

SHIFT: 12-hour shift

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: High school diploma or GED required; 18 years of age minimum age requirement;
Must complete the Basic Telecommunication Course within 6 months of employment.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND REQUIREMENTS: the ability to communicate well with general public, supervisors, and co-workers and must have a valid driver's license with good driving record. Must complete the Basic Telecommunication's Course within 6 months of employment.

JOB SUMMARY: 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.

ESSENTIAL

SKILLS:

Problem solving, observational skills, teamwork, proficiency in writing, basic mathematics, computer, and self-management; maturity, levelheaded, honest, intelligent, cooperative, courteous, dependable. Knowledgeable in city's ordinances, departmental standard operating procedures and regulations. Skilled in operation of job specific tools and equipment. Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition, communicate effectively orally and in writing, exercise sound judgment, give and receive verbal and written instructions, establish effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, and the public and meet special requirements.

• 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;
• 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.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature of work performed by the Telecommunication Officer [Dispatcher] and is not intended to be all-inclusive. All employees are expected to perform tasks as assigned by their supervisor; furthermore, working hours may be extended in times of necessity.

Physical: Must possess the ability to lift objects of at least 50 lbs., bending stooping, crawling, standing, and walking for extended…