Communications Officer

Communications Officer I

The City of Norcross is looking for a Full-time Communications Officer I. This entry-level position is responsible for receiving calls for assistance from the public and dispatching the appropriate emergency and non-emergency personnel. This includes all department communications' activities including fixed and mobile radio operations, teletype, telephones, and communications between the Police Department and other related agencies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Receives, monitors, and dispatches radio communications traffic for emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Receives and screens all incoming telephone calls from the public and other public safety agencies; categorizes and prioritizes calls.
• Assists the public by providing directions and information via CivicReady and the Tornado Siren System.
• Dispatches the appropriate emergency personnel to incident locations.
• Monitors cameras throughout the city, within City Hall and the Police Department. Makes notifications as needed.
• Monitors city parks via cameras/emergency callbox phones; dispatches emergency personnel as needed.
• Assists the public by providing directions and information.
• Participates in coordinating emergency responses and assistance from external agencies.
• Maintains a continuous log of incoming radio calls.
• Monitors and routes incoming messages from national and state computer networks; enters and removes information as requested into NCIC and GCIC networks, including warrants, as well as information on missing persons and stolen property; validates information as required.
• Assists officers on duty by using the GCIC and NCIC computers to run criminal and license histories and relaying messages.
• Testifies in court, as needed.
• Enters information into Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), such as calls for service from citizens and officer-initiated communications.
• Monitors, operates and manages complex communications and computer equipment.
• May perform miscellaneous duties such as entering data from police reports to computer and gathering information for officers.
• Assists with the bonding process as needed.
• Maintains daily contact with senior citizens in the Senior Watch Program and dispatches officers as needed.
• Monitors and conducts daily tests of communication equipment for optimal performance Reports any malfunctions schedules repair or maintenance.
• Attends all required departmental training annually.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• High School education or GED.
• One to two years of experience in a customer service or telecommunications position.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable.
• Ability to obtain GCIC/NCIC certification within 6 months of appointment.
• Ability to complete the Georgia P.O.S.T. Basic Communications Certification course within 6 months of appointment.
• Telephone CPR certification.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

This position may require: 24-hour on call assignment, overtime, or working weekends, holidays, 8-hour, 10-hour, 12-hour, and/or rotating shifts.

Job has recurring work situations involving high degrees of discretion. The need for accuracy and effective utilization of accepted programs and routines is high. Errors in judgment will waste resources and adversely impact performance. Incumbent operates independently but work is verified. Content of work priorities are determined by supervision.

Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city employees, representatives of other public safety agencies, representatives of service and support agencies, and the general public. Contacts are typically to exchange information, motivate personnel, resolve problems and provide services

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to learn the procedures of state and national crime information centers.
• Ability to learn and apply processes and procedures for the Court.
• Knowledge of the geography and street system of the city.
• Above average interpersonal skills with the ability to positive interact with the public.
• Strong ability to convey assertive, yet calm, responses in emergency situations.
• Knowledge of the radio codes used in public safety work.
• Knowledge of emergency and non-emergency dispatching procedures.
• Skill in the operation of radio/communications equipment.
• Skill in the operation of computers.
• Skill in written and oral communication.
• Skill in maintaining records and preparing reports.

Working Conditions:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear.
• Occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• May lift and/or move up to 50 pounds infrequently.
• While performing the duties of this job, the associate may be occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• May be subjected to workspace restrictions, intense noises and disruptive people.
• May frequently experience excessively high levels of stress for extended periods of time due to the nature emergency call center activity.