Emergency Communications Operator; Trainee, Operator, Senior

Position: Emergency Communications Operator (Trainee, Operator, Senior)

Overview

Under close supervision, receives emergency and non-emergency calls for police and fire service. Dispatches calls for service and enters accurate and concise data into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. A high degree of accuracy is required at all times. Incumbents in this classification must maintain constant awareness of the consequences of error. The Emergency Communications Operator is the basic and intermediate TCOLE-certified class in the Emergency Communications Operator series.

The Senior Emergency Communications Operator is the advanced or master certification level in the Emergency Communications Operator series and is distinguished by the ability to perform the full range of duties assigned with only occasional instruction or assistance as needed.

Essential Functions – Emergency Communications Operator

• Answers emergency and non-emergency calls at the Police Station.

• Gathers information from callers, including nature, severity, location, and status of emergencies.

• Assesses the need for response and dispatches services accordingly.

• Assists Police Officers by relaying information regarding calls for service.

• Documents and corrects 911 location premise errors in CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch).

• Enters data and maintains CAD for alarm permits and cautionary information in alert files.

• Notifies appropriate entities related to problems or complaints under their jurisdiction.

• Enters, maintains, updates, and researches information into TCIC/NCIC (Texas Criminal Information Center and National Criminal Information Center) and TLETS/NLETS (Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System/National Law Enforcement Telecommunication System) databases.

• Researches and responds to inquiries from other law enforcement agencies and departments.

• Performs crisis intervention with distraught callers during high-risk situations until appropriate emergency field units arrive on scene.

• Prepares clear and concise records and reports with comprehensive documentation in CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system.

• Performs computer-assisted and manual records checks for officers on individuals, locations, vehicles, and other property; verifies warrants or reports of stolen property.

• Maintains constant awareness of the status of mobile units and updates information as it changes.

• Maintains, updates, and accesses various logs and computer data files for all officer activities (incident reports, stolen or repossessed property logs, maps, shift logs, etc.).

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions – Senior Emergency Communications Operator

• May train new personnel on job responsibilities of Emergency Communications Operator.

• May lead ongoing training classes for existing personnel.

• Participate in reviewing/creating/maintaining Training SOPs and Manuals for new hires.

• May be required to act in a lead capacity during the absence of an Emergency Communications Supervisor.

• Participate in Division/Department public relations activities.

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines

• Emergency Communications Operator: High school diploma or equivalent. Three (3) years full-time experience in public safety telecommunications as a radio dispatcher and/or E911 call taker.

• Senior Emergency Communications Operator: High school diploma or equivalent, and a minimum of four (4) years of full-time experience in public safety telecommunications as a radio and/or E911 operator.

Licenses and Certification Requirements

• Basic or Intermediate Telecommunicator Certificate from TCOLE.

• TLETS/NLETS Operators certificate preferred.

• TCIC/NCIC Operators certificate.

• Must obtain Telecommunicator License within one (1) year of employment.

• Current Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) certificate preferred or obtained within six (6) months of employment.

• Current Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certificate preferred or to be obtained within six (6) months of employment.

• TDD/TTY certificate.

Senior Emergency Communications Operator – Licenses and Certification Requirements

• Advanced or Master level Telecommunicator Certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.

• TLETS/NLETS Operators certificate.

• TCIC/NCIC Operators…