Emergency Communications Officer

Emergency Communications OfficerEssential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, include the responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics listed below. This list of responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.SummaryUnder direct supervision, the Emergency Communications Officer assists citizens and Public Safety Personnel in requests for emergency and non-emergency service. An Emergency Communication Officer receives requests for assistance via 911 or non-emergency phone lines, evaluates the type of assistance needed, dispatches appropriate public safety personnel (Police, Fire, EMS) through the use of a complex public safety radio system and then provides the caller with pre-arrival instructions. The ability to communicate effectively, multi-task and make sound decisions within a high stress environment is essential to satisfactory position performance. This position requires skilled use of a computer aided dispatch system (CAD), a complex radio system and multiple computer databases/software. This position serves as the communication link between the public and public safety personnel. The effectiveness of the employee's work affects communication operations and the well-being of the public and public safety personnel. This employee must have a good work ethic, meet deadlines, and have good attendance, including be available to work all shifts, including but not limited to day/swing/night, weekends, holidays and mandatory overtime as needed; as well as modify work hours when required and attend mandatory meetings and training outside of normal work hours. The employee must be punctual, reliable, have honesty, integrity, be free from moral turpitude, have a proper attitude, and must represent Hays County Sheriff's Office in a professional courteous manner via personal, telephonic and written means. This employee must be able to maintain the confidentiality of information.. Individuals in this position serve at the pleasure of the current elected official.ResponsibilitiesAnswer incoming 911 calls and non-emergency calls for serviceDetermine the urgency and priority of each event and coordinates the appropriate level of response to protect the safety of the caller and emergency respondersEnter call details into the CAD system and prepare information for dispatchProvide all pertinent information to responding unitsProvide pre-arrival medical and fire instructions by utilizing Emergency Medical/Fire Dispatch protocolsMaintains contact with callers while dispatching calls to appropriate respondersExhibits good judgment and decision making skillsProvides information via alpha page to update personnel as required or when requestedReceives, interprets, and processes information from public safety personnel in various entities, agencies or divisions and notifies other agencies for assistance as neededUtilize a complex radio system to dispatch for various public safety agenciesPerforms queries using TLETS/NLETS and other record management systemsUtilize multiple complex computers systems and programs where some may require specialized trainingUtilize a complex filing system to manage various records and confirm the record is valid. This includes but is not limited to records for Hays County warrants, stolen property, missing person, criminal trespass warning, and protective ordersComplete entries using the Texas and National Criminal Information Center System. (TCIC/NCIC)Requires the employee to be able to render credible testimony in any court proceeding to include Justice Courts, County Courts, District Courts and any U.S. Federal CourtPerforms other duties as assignedEducation and/or ExperienceRequires a High School Diploma or GEDOther Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses, RegistrationsTCIC/NCIC certification within 6 months of employmentTLETS/NLETS certification within 1 year of employmentBasic Telecommunications license preferred or must be obtained within 1 year of employment9-1-1 equipment training within 6 months of employmentTDD training within 6 months of employmentEmergency Medical/Fire Dispatch certification within 6 months of employmentCPR certification within 1 year of employmentAbility to meet continuing education requirementsMust successfully complete prescribed training program and attend all assignment training coursesRequired to obtain a 70% or higher on a computerized skill based proficiency assessmentClass C TX Driver's LicenseMust be 18 years of age