Lateral Communications Operator

Lateral Communications Operator

The La Habra Police Department is seeking a highly motivated, customer service-oriented and dedicated individual to serve as a Lateral Communications Operator. This position requires a typing certificate with a passing score of 40 NWPM. Applications without a valid typing certificate will not be considered. Only those candidates meeting "lateral requirements" will continue in the selection process.

The City of La Habra is a vibrant Southern California community, strategically located in the northwest corner of Orange County. Today the City is home to a population of over 63,000 residents within La Habra's 7.3 square miles. A friendly and diverse community, La Habra is conveniently located within an hour's drive of many beaches, mountains, and desert recreation areas. The City is known for the Corn Festival, Citrus Fair, Tamale Festival and the jewel of La Habra, its Children's Museum.

While the City has planned for and encourages measured growth, it retains a small town feel and lives up to its heritage as "A Caring Community."

Since 1925, the La Habra Police Department has been dedicated to providing the residents of this community with a safe environment in which to live and work. This commitment to service is a tradition upheld by the men and women who serve La Habra and is reflected in all aspects of the department's day-to-day operations.

Under general supervision of the Communications Supervisor, the Lateral Communications Operator receives and transmits emergency and non-emergency calls from the public requesting police and other emergency services; maintains contact with all units on assignment; documents calls for service on a computer aided dispatch system; and provides general information to the public. This position is assigned to the Police Communications Center, which is a 24-hour, seven days per week operation, requiring shift coverage.

Communications Operators must work assigned shifts and must be proficient at multi-tasking. There is a high expectation placed on the accuracy and speed of information gathering and the maturity in decision making.

The following duties represent the principal job duties; however, they are not all inclusive:

• Receives calls, complaints, and inquiries from the public for police or other emergency services over the phone.
• Screens incoming calls to determine priority resources, and types of response required in accordance with established procedures.
• Simultaneously receives, responds and documents information from multiple sources while maintaining accuracy in order to relay information to responding personnel.
• Proficiently handles multiple tasks and events simultaneously.
• Communicates clearly, concisely, and possesses effective listening skills.
• Responsibly relays confidential information with accuracy back to the field personnel.
• Performs general clerical work in support of communication activities.
• Conducts various data entry functions as directed by supervision.
• Maintains contact with other cities or agencies for cooperative emergency operations.
• Works holidays, weekends, day, night, and graveyard shifts as assigned and required.
• Performs related duties as required.

Qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Principles, practices and procedures involved in public safety communications work.
• Geography of the City and the location of streets and important buildings.
• Operation of radio/telephone receiving and transmitting equipment.
• Accurately record and retain data given orally.
• Communicate effectively orally in highly stressful situations.
• Speak clearly and precisely.
• Accurately read and interpret maps.
• Handle simultaneous calls.
• Listen and comprehend radio calls while talking on the phone
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
• Exercise independent judgment.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships.
• Type accurately at a moderate speed.
• Train others in the use of communication equipment.
• Ability to pass a thorough background investigation and polygraph. The investigation will cover information regarding relatives, references, acquaintances, educational background, residential history, employment history, criminal history, military service records, financial status, legal history, drug use and related areas.

Education and experience that would provide the qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position. A High School diploma or equivalent is required. One year of experience performing typing and clerical duties, demonstrated ability to function under stress, and the ability to handle several tasks simultaneously. Must be able to type 40 net words per minute (a typing certificate is required).

Successful completion of probation with a California public safety agency and minimum one (1) year of operational experience in public safety performing duties as a Communications…