Communications Operator; Dispatch

POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR (DISPATCH)

HOURLY RATE: $22.23

• Dispatches police, fire/rescue, and after‑hours city services.
• Monitors and coordinates telephone, radio, and teletype communications between unit personnel and among the general public, as well as non‑emergency situations.
• Responsible for receiving, processing, and disseminating information accurately and timely to provide an expeditious response to emergency situations.
• Performs record maintenance functions requiring specialized knowledge of departmental rules and regulations and acute attention to detail.

• Answer a multi‑line phone system for both emergency and non‑emergency calls.
• Acquire information and assess the circumstances, reassure the victim or caller, gather required information, and dispatch information to appropriate units.
• Operate a multi‑channel radio system and simultaneously input, retrieve, listen to and comprehend 9‑1‑1 and non‑emergency calls and radio traffic while reading from both computer screens and print‑outs.
• Receive and transmit pertinent information on all calls for services, including those in progress; monitor activities of Police, Fire and other emergency medical services.
• Maintain the location and call status of all emergency units; maintain communications with unit personnel in the field to conduct computerized searches through local, state and national databases.
• Confirm stolen property and wanted/missing persons and enter data and operate computer terminals with specialized access through various automated data banks.
• Maintain records and data for items such as warrants, missing persons, stolen property and emergency protection orders by confirming information is correct, entering and modifying information in the database and clearing information as applicable.
• Comprehend and apply city ordinances, city and departmental policies and procedures as well as adhere strictly to the Department General Orders.
• Communicate courteously and clearly, verbally and in writing; required to report for work punctually, work all scheduled hours, including shift work, weekends, holidays and overtime as deemed necessary.
• Maintain regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work hours.

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Possess a normal volume speaking voice.
• Be fluent in English.
• Have 20/40 vision (corrected).
• Be available to work various shifts.
• Thrive in a fast‑paced, hectic environment.
• Reside within 30 minutes of the Lufkin Police Department.

• High school diploma or GED.
• Type 40 words per minute (corrected).
• Pass an employment physical examination, including an audiological hearing test with hearing range of 30 or more decibels and frequency range of 250–3000 hertz in both ears.
• Pass two state licensing courses and the state licensing test for Telecommunications within the first year of employment.
• Successfully pass a polygraph test and complete a background investigation check.

We also have excellent benefits (health, dental, life, etc.) with health plans starting at:

• $140 employee / month
• $270 employee + children / month
• $490 employee + spouse / month
• $610 employee + family / month
• 20‑year retirement at any age through TMRS
• Vacation, sick days, longevity pay, 11 paid holidays
• $40 per month cleaning allowance
• Certificate pay

Salary: $22.23 per hour