Communications Officer

Salary: $42,034.00 Annually
Location : 711 E. El Cibolo Rd, Edinburg, TX
Job Type: Regular Full Time
Job Number: 2026-03411
Department: Hidalgo County - Sheriff
Opening Date: 04/09/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Status:: External Re-advertisement
Open Positions:: 5
Advertisement details and/or special instructions:: Please submit resume with application.
Grade:: Rank 02
Work Hours:: Must be able to work hours, which do not coincide with Monday thru Friday, 8am to 5pm workday.


General Description


Work involves handling all incoming emergency and administrative calls by telephone or two-way radio from the public, County department, or other departmental or law enforcement personnel. Will obtain and share needed information via teletype equipment or computer.

Examples of Work Performed


Receive incoming calls on both the telephone and two-way radio; evaluates calls and directs call to appropriate staff and/or agencies; dispatches units and relay information pertinent to file operations


Performs computer-assisted and manual records checks for officers on individuals, locations, vehicles and other property, sometimes verifying warrants or reports of stolen property with the originating agency


Maintains, updates and accesses for officers various logs and computer data files (incident reports, stolen or repossessed property logs, rotation logs, maps, etc.)


Enters information into Texas and National Crime Information Computer Systems


Monitors jail emergency alarms and notifies appropriate authorities if problem develops


Monitors court emergency alarms, radio and telephone and provide assistance as needed


Places calls to employees on duty after hours in the following departments: County Medical Examiners, Narcotics, Animal Control, Parks and Wildlife, Precincts, etc.


Processes daily paperwork and assigns County offense numbers


Processes emergency 9-1-1 calls and other routine telephone traffic


Attends briefing before start of shift. Reviews daily log for any changes and checks bulletin board for new schedules, memos and duty rosters


May be required to assist in the training of new dispatchers


Monitors and performs minor maintenance on equipment
Responsible for insuring all law enforcement records created during the shift are properly documented and accounted for


Monitors and responds to radio traffic


Performs other related work as assigned

Education and Experience


Graduation from a high school or equivalent (GED).


Graduation from an accredited two (2) year college with an Associate's degree in related field preferred.

• Two (2) years of experience may be substituted for one (1) year of education.

One (1) year experience in communications, dispatching, and/or related work preferred.

Certificates, Licenses and Registration:

Must have a current valid Texas motor vehicle operator's license.


Must be able to be insured by the County's insurance carrier.


Must be a U.S Citizen.

Successful applicants must, at the time of appointment to the positions, meet the minimum requirements for Basic Certification of Telecommunicator from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), and must, within one year of appointment to the position, obtain and thereafter maintain a Basic Certification as a Telecommunicator from TCOLE.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities


Knowledge of radio transmission procedures and of Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations governing operation of radio and teletype transmitting and receiving


Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and speak clearly and concisely


Ability to speak effectively with citizens and employees of organizations


Ability to use radio and electronic data communications equipment


Ability to multitask in a stressful situation


Ability to keep accurate records


Ability to operate, or demonstrated ability to learn to operate, a computer


Ability to read and write in the English language


Bilingual (Spanish and English) with the ability to converse fluently in both languages


Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals


Ability to write reports and correspondence


Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists


Employee may be assigned other duties in addition to those listed; duties may change according to the changing needs of the County.
The County of Hidalgo offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible employees, retirees, and their families. For more information, please Click Here