Communications Officer

Emergency Communications Specialist

This position is responsible for answering emergency and non-emergency calls and for dispatching appropriate personnel.

Essential Functions

• Receives, monitors, and dispatches radio communications traffic for emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Receives and screens incoming telephone calls from the public and other public safety agencies; categorizes and prioritizes calls.
• Dispatches the appropriate emergency personnel to incident locations.
• Responds to citizens' requests for assistance.
• Maintains a continuous log of incoming telephone and radio calls; logs incoming calls for participating agencies.
• Monitors and routes incoming messages from national and state computer networks; enters and removes information as requested into GCIC and NCIC networks.
• Receives warrants; completes background and criminal background and driver history section on warrant; enters warrant information into GCIC/NCIC; maintains warrant files.
• Runs criminal and driver history checks as requested by officers.
• Enters information into the computer for dispatch, traffic citations, and police reports.
• Monitors jail security through regular checks and closed-circuit monitoring.
• Performs related duties.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required by the Position

• Knowledge of emergency communications principles and practices.
• Knowledge of GCIC/NCIC policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of emergency dispatch procedures.
• Knowledge of radio and telecommunications equipment.
• Skills in the use of computers and job-related software programs.
• Skills in making decisions in high pressure and emergency situations.
• Skills in public relations.
• Skills in interpersonal relations.
• Skills in oral and written communication.
• Ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations at a high school level.

Supervisory Controls

The Communications Supervisor assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

Guidelines

Guidelines include GCIC and NCIC guidelines, state and federal regulations, training guidelines, and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

Complexity/Scope of Work

• The work consists of related emergency communications duties. The necessity of responding to unforeseen and emergency situations contributes to the complexity of the work.
• The purpose of this position is to receive emergency and non-emergency calls and to dispatch emergency service personnel as appropriate. Successful performance contributes to the efficient and effective response to emergencies and life-threatening situations.

Contacts

• Contacts are typically with department personnel, representatives of other emergency services agencies, and the public.
• Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, resolve problems, provide services, and motivate people.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light objects, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, and distinguishes between shades of color.
• The work is typically performed in an office.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility

None.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school or equivalent.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain GCIC/NCIC certification.

Benefits

The City of Lawrenceville offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, health savings accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, short-term disability, holidays, and personal time off.

Health

• Health insurance benefits become active on the 31st day of employment. Health benefits include major medical, dental, and vision.
• There are two High-Deductible Health Plan options with HSA to help you manage medical costs and save for future care tax free.

Retirement

• Retirement plans are Defined Contribution (401a), and Deferred Compensation (457b).
• The 401a (City makes a 4% contribution beginning on first pay period after hire date)
• 457b (Employee contributions only)
• If an employee contributes at least 4% into the 457b, which is voluntary, the City will make an additional 6% contribution into the 401a, totaling 10% into the employee's 401a.
• Each contribution is a percentage of the employee's earnings for that pay period.
• There is a graduated vesting schedule into the 401a plan.
• One year - 20%
• Two years 40%
• Three years 60%
• Four years 80%
• Five years 100%

Protection

• There is City paid short-term disability, long-term disability, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) and life insurance that pays two times the employee's annual salary. Employees can opt into supplemental life insurance for self, spouse and children and pay the premium.

Personal Time Off

• The City observes twelve (12) paid holidays per year:
• New Year's Day
• MLK Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Juneteenth
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• Employees earn PTO in lieu of individual vacation and sick leave; PTO is earned as follows:
• First year of service 3.692 hours per pay period (Department Directors accrue PTO hours at a rate of 5.538 from first day and moving forward until after ten years of service).
• 1-5 years of service 5.538 hours per pay period
• 5-10 years of service 7.384 hours per pay period
• 10-15 years of service 9.230 hours per pay period
• Over 15 years of service 11.076 hours per pay period
• Salaried employees are given 40 hours of Comp Vacation on January 1st of each year, that must be used by December 31st of that same year.

Pay Interval

• Employees are paid on a bi-weekly basis; pay periods begin on Sunday and payday is every other Thursday. There is a mandatory direct deposit requirement.

911 Communications Incentive

• 911 Communications: receive $3,000 hiring incentive on first paycheck if POST certified.
• 911 Communications: if non-certified, will receive $3,000 hiring incentive after obtaining POST certification.

Tuition Reimbursement

• Tuition Reimbursement towards associate's, bachelor's or master's degrees, available to all full-time employees after one year of employment. (exclusions apply)