Communications Officer

YOUR FUTURE BEGINS HERE! Join one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona and the youngest in Yuma County!

Under general supervision, the incumbent operates various communications equipment, answers and processes emergency and non-emergency calls, and dispatches public safety units.

• Monitor emergency and general support radio frequencies.
• Receive emergency (911) and non-emergency calls from the public, communicate with law enforcement agencies via multi-line telephones, walk‑ins, and radio system.
• Record and route emergency calls to appropriate authorities.
• Determine priorities of all calls and dispatch required units to non‑emergency situations.
• Receive radio calls from Police, Fire and EMS field units.
• Transmit messages via radio, telephone, computer, fax, or other communication equipment.
• Make inquiries via ACJIS to obtain requested information or services.
• Maintain status and location control of Police, Fire, and EMS units and direct them to the scene of non‑emergency situations.
• Use various computer systems for data entry and information retrieval CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch).
• Create and maintain a daily log of public safety communications activities.
• Receive non‑emergency and emergency calls for police, fire, emergency medical, and animal control assistance.
• Gather needed information on the nature of the call, details of the emergency, and determine appropriate response.
• Prioritize, direct, and log police, fire, and medical calls and dispatch units accordingly.
• Record call information and track unit status into the computer‑aided dispatching system.
• Provide detailed call information to responding personnel and pre‑arrival instructions for callers.
• Effectively communicate in person, over the phone, and over the radio, tracking information received accurately.
• Notify or contact other agencies, key personnel, resources, or support services as needed.
• Utilize or monitor multiple computer systems simultaneously.
• Maintain confidentiality of work‑related issues and City information.
• Complete records search, data entry, and clearing of information maintained by the Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS), National Crime Information Center (NCIC) databases, and agency computer systems/databases.
• Support the operations of the Communications Center.
• Provide customer service in person, by phone, and through correspondence.
• Provide clerical support, including typing of final report drafts, filing, transcribing minutes, preparing correspondence for mailing, making copies of files, and preparing meeting and presentation materials.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Law enforcement terminology, codes, and procedures.
• Proper use and care of radio and telephone equipment.
• Rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission covering the operation of radio receivers and transmitters.
• The operation of communication equipment including radio, telephone, and automated information systems.
• Rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission applicable to the operation of radio receivers and transmitters.
• The principles and practices of emergency dispatching.
• Applicable Federal/State/County/City/agency laws, ordinances, and regulations.
• Principles and practices of effective employee management and supervision.
• Computers and specialized hardware and software for preparing reports and maintaining records.

• Operate communications equipment, including radio, telephone, and automated information systems.
• Communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately, relaying details.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and interact with the public.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Handle multiple projects simultaneously and use good judgment in prioritizing work assignments.
• Effectively communicate verbal and written instructions by phone, police radio system, or in person in a group or one‑to‑one setting.
• Think and act quickly and effectively in emergencies and under stressful situations.
• Type 30 words per minute.
• Successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation and…