Police Telecommunicator I

Police Telecommunicator

Responsible for performing specialized telecommunications work in receiving and processing emergency and non-emergency calls for the police department. An employee in this class is responsible for receiving service calls from the public, prioritizing calls, dispatching appropriate public safety officials, and maintaining open lines of communication during emergency situations. Emphasis of the work is on taking emergency calls from citizens or businesses, data entry into emergency computer aided dispatch consoles, providing information and referral to the public, and communicating with police officials during emergencies.

The employee must have the ability to multi-task and make decisions under stress. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Communications Supervisor and is evaluated based on call handling according to defined protocols, personal observation, review of tapes, and feedback from public safety personnel and the public.

Essential Job Functions

• Receives emergency and non-emergency calls from the public; evaluates requests for service; prioritizes the call according to protocol; and dispatches police officers.
• Receives after-hours calls for utilities, street maintenance, and traffic signal malfunctions.
• Operates a two-way radio system to dispatch law enforcement officers to emergencies; communicates with and relays all appropriate information to responders as situations unfold; and sends additional units to situation based on officer's requests or updated information.
• Monitors self-initiated activities of police officers and provides them with information on retained suspects.
• Maintains records of authorizations, warrants, and other information required for DCI/NCIC entries; logs all activities.
• Uses eWarrants Program to check for outstanding warrants; and communicates results to officers in the field.
• Closes telecommunications calls for service and identifies police units back in service.
• Updates criminal history logs.
• Collects data from the previous day and creates a morning report that is sent out to news media and police administration.
• Stays up to date on call disposition codes, ten-codes, department policy, procedures, and general orders.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Career Ladder for Police Telecommunicator I, II, III

Basic Requirements:

* High School Diploma or GED Equivalent

* Possession of a Valid Class C Driver's License to operate a motor vehicle. Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment.

Special Qualifications:

• General Telecommunicators Certificate as awarded by the North Carolina Sheriffs Education and Training Standards Commission, or ability to obtain in one year
• CJleads certification, or ability to obtain in one year
• NC DCI 1-3 Certification, or ability to obtain in one year
• eWarrants and CJLEADS training, or ability to obtain in one year
• 100 hours of law enforcement/telecommunicator continuing education

Qualifications for Police Telecommunicator I – Pay Grade 12

Experience in a dispatch function or extensive public contact role, and in law enforcement or EMS; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Qualifications for Police Telecommunicator II – Pay Grade 13

(3) years' experience in a dispatch function or extensive public contact role, and in law enforcement or EMS; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

100 Hours of Law Enforcement/Telecommunicator Continuing Education

Qualifications for Police Telecommunicator III – Pay Grade 14

(8) years of experience in a dispatch function or extensive public contact role, and in law enforcement or EMS; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

200 Hours of Law Enforcement/Telecommunicator Continuing Education (150 hours with an Associate's Degree, 100 hours with Bachelor's Degree).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the operation and use of computer aided dispatching equipment.
• Knowledge of FCC communications signals in lieu of voice traffic.
• Knowledge of various support manuals and resources such as call books, HAZMAT manual, tactical dispatch manual, and other standard operating procedural…