Communications Officer

CLASSIFICATION

TITLE:

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Purpose Of Classification

The purpose of this classification is to perform technical call response tasks by receiving emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatching calls, and documenting related information in compliance with State and Federal policies, regulations and laws.

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Receives calls on the City’s emergency 911 system, including emergency calls, non-emergency calls, TDD calls, and language lines.

For non-emergency calls, which include city-owned business telephones rerouted after hours and holidays to dispatch center such as Pelicans stadium, water department emergency and routine lines, sanitation and city recreation centers; provides information, answers questions, takes messages, and/or refers caller to appropriate staff; contacts various other departments as needed to resolve problems such as streetlights being out, downed street signs, roadway debris, and power outages.

For emergency calls, obtains information from callers and determines the appropriate agency to respond to the need for assistance; contacts and dispatches the correct agency; provides agency with information needed to respond appropriately and to ensure personnel/officer safety; works to keep caller calm; monitors status of response; and contacts wrecker services and utility companies as needed; notifies hospitals of incoming trauma patients when requested by the medic.

Logs incoming calls and dispatch information into an automated system; utilizes National Crime Information Center terminal; enters information pertinent to incoming calls, dispatched agencies, response time and actions taken; and maintains records of calls and dispatching activities; records all officer calls, dispatch time, arrival time and complete time; files required documentation, files, requests and responses; notifies supervisors of active calls pending, noting in the call the notification and plan of action;

maintains contact with callers for in-progress calls until units arrive on scene.

Monitors a variety of radio frequencies; monitors weather conditions via NCIC National Weather Service messages and other media sources; alerts field personnel to weather conditions; monitors other frequencies to communicate with law enforcement, ambulance, fire and other emergency services providers; provides information to and/or obtains information from field personnel regarding emergencies, incident scenes, directions, and status; monitors the fire alarm panel for city buildings, and dispatches resources if necessary.

Performs computer and NCIC criminal background checks on criminals as well as victims and law enforcement job applicants; handles NCIC inquiries on driver’s licenses, vehicle tags, stolen articles and property, guns, wanted and missing persons, and warrants and summons; completes monthly validations on NCIC entries for guns, vehicles, gang members, missing and wanted persons; provides various information from computer database as requested by officers.

Performs various administrative support activities such as entering, updating and retrieving information from databases; enters law enforcement information into databases; maintains communication logs; queries data bases upon request; enters trespass warnings, up to date key holder information, and enters and removes bench warrant information; researches warrant information, driver’s licenses and tags; reviews criminal histories when entering warrants to decide…