Communications Officer

Dispatcher Primary duties consist of operating the communications console, teletype network and computer system, input of dispatch related information. Additionally, to provide timely and accurate transmittal of information and messages received regarding police operations and public information. The work involves extensive contacts with law enforcement officers and personnel providing other municipal services, and the general public. This is a position that has a tremendous amount of responsibility to be able to act and react in a safe, efficient manner for the protection of life and property. Must be willing to adopt and exhibit the City of Brownwood "I SERVE" Core Values. Examples of duties include answering telephone and transmitting messages to proper authorities, operating two-way communication equipment, coordinating by radio with local police units and other law enforcement agencies and other departments of the City and businesses providing emergency services, operating the teletype, sending/receiving and filing messages, meeting and assisting the public who enter the police building for information and routing them to the proper place for assistance, initiating a written Calls for Service (CFS) report that will be entered into the computer as time permits, for all activity, including all actions of the officers, telephone or walk-in complaints from the public, or coordination of services with other City departments, providing the police personnel with current information through inquiry capability into the departments history files, outstanding warrants file, known offenders file, as authorized, serving as 911 call taker, receiving and dispatching 911 calls as necessary, maintaining log for all required forms for entry into the system, National Crime Information Center, when requested by officer, providing for call-out emergency services such as ambulance, wrecker service, fire, street, utility or other departments, burglary alarm notification and essential services required from gas and electric companies, input data into and retrieve data from several types of computer systems, travel out of town to attend training when assigned, and performing other duties as required by supervisor for the efficient operation of the police department. Typical qualifications include a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate, prefer one year as dispatcher or related experience, computer knowledge desirable, on the job training will be provided, must participate in training schools made available, as required by supervisor, general knowledge of law enforcement work, must be familiar with identifying geographical locations of City streets on a map and be able to give accurate information to officers on patrol, must be familiar with geographical locations of streets in Brownwood and have a general knowledge of county roads and highways in the county as well as landmarks in the county, i.e. Lake Brownwood, Bangs, Brookesmith, Camp Bowie, etc., must be able to use teletype by touch system with accuracy and speed, and work with computer system keyboard, must have a clear, distinct voice for radio communication transmissions and in answering the telephone, ability to work under conditions of stress and still maintain a pleasant disposition to other employees and the public, must have the ability to memorize and interpret codes governing radio use, and due to the nature of police work, employees must be cautioned that they are not to relate information regarding some police activities unless authorized by their supervisors. Supplemental information includes indoor work, pleasant and unpleasant conditions, exposure to noise, light physical activity, ability to sit, stand and move about an office or building, employee occasionally lifts materials weighing approximately 20-30 pounds or climbs in order to reach cabinets, ability to bend and squat in order to file or retrieve information, may be exposed to electrical, mechanical, or chemical hazards when operating or maintaining office equipment, ability to see and handle small objects, due to the nature of police work, dispatchers undergo a high stress factor in determining a situation and have to make quick, accurate decisions in transmitting information, work involves shift work with shift changes every three months, working on weekends and holidays, overtime required on as-needed basis, frequent contact with the general public and law enforcement personnel from several different agencies, required licenses and certificates include telecommunications operator certificate, required to attend TCIC/NCIC Course, required to attend Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications (TLETS) and National Law Enforcement Telecommunications (NLETS) School, must complete NIMS IS-100, ICS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 within 1 year of hire, and may be required to be a Notary Public.