Communications Officer

Emergency Dispatch Center Communications Officer

The Emergency Dispatch Center (EDC) Communications Officers shall be responsible for receiving, processing, and disseminating calls for service efficiently to attain an appropriate and timely public safety response. Communications Officers must be willing to work during any declared Office of Emergency Management event and accept different hours and days off depending on the demands of the EDC. Communication Officers shall be responsible for carrying out all other assignments as directed by supervisory personnel. Duties and Responsibilities:

• Answer telephone calls and radio communications, resolve issues, provide information, and communicate effectively
• Handle confidential and sensitive information in a discreet manner
• Receive, process, and disseminate calls for service efficiently to attain an appropriate and timely public safety response
• Independently initiate action consistent with existing policies and procedures, based upon observed situations, and utilizing sound judgment
• Type correspondence, and reports and assist in the processing of documents as required
• Communicate and liaise with Command Staff, employees, other agencies, and the public in a knowledgeable, efficient, and courteous manner
• Perform other assignments and duties as required and/or necessary

This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Minimum Requirements:

• Ability to handle and/or work in stressful situations
• High School Diploma or GED from a U.S. accredited school
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• United States Citizen or Certificate of Naturalization (See General Information for exceptions)
• Valid driver's license or state-issued I.D. (Must be Texas issued by hire date)
• Must pass an extensive background investigation, TB skin test, and drug screening
• Must pass pre-employment testing and demonstrate essential job skills
• Willing to work different shifts to include weekends, holidays, and overtime as required

Knowledge of:

• Chapter 49 Penal Code and Transportation Code.

Skilled in:

• Proficient in correspondence, and reports and assist in the processing of documents as required
• Demonstrated proficiency with computer and related software, i.e. Word and Excel
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written

Ability to:

• Communicate and liaise with Command Staff, employees, other agencies, and the public in a knowledgeable, efficient, and courteous manner
• Create, maintain, and update critical files in an organized manner
• Answer telephone calls, resolve issues, provide information, and multitask
• Handle confidential and sensitive information in a discreet manner
• Receive, process, and disseminate calls for service efficiently to attain an appropriate and timely public safety response
• Independently initiate action consistent with existing policies and procedures, based upon observed situations, and utilizing sound judgment
• Work overtime and/or varying duty hours as deemed necessary; including weekends, holidays with an excellent attendance record

Continued employment is contingent upon the successful completion of Telecommunicator training and passing all testing required to obtain the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Telecommunicator certification within a year of employment.

New hire orientation is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on the first day and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. for the next two weeks with Saturday/Sunday off. On-the-job training is approx. 7 weeks, on one of the three shifts, 6 a.m. - 2 p.m., 2 p.m. - 10 p.m., or 10 p.m. - 6 a.m., with the same off days as the trainer. Upon completion of training, you will be placed on either the 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. or 10 p.m. - 6 a.m. shift, days off will be determined according to whatever is available.