Salary: $29.98 - $43.97 Hourly

Location : City of Thornton; Justice Center, CO

Job Type: Regular Full-Time

Job Number: 24174

Department: Police

Division: Police Administration

Opening Date: 04/29/2024

Closing Date: 5/13/2024 5:00 PM Mountain

FLSA: Non-Exempt

WORK HOURS: ROTATING SHIFT WORK

PROBATION: ONE YEAR (IF NOT CURRENTLY A CERTIFIED EMPLOYEE)

STATUS 2: FLSA NON-EXEMPT/CAREER SERVICE INCLUDED

BENEFITS: SEE BENEFITS TAB

JOIN OUR TEAM AS WE ADDRESS THE EXCITING, SIGNIFICANT, AND VARIED GROWTH IN THE CITY OF THORNTON!

The City of Thornton is a great place to live, work, grow and play. Thornton is a diverse community with a strong commitment to quality of life and environmental issues. The city's location also provides an excellent environment for cultural, recreational, and outdoor enthusiasts. Thornton has aggressively pursued recreation programs with nearly 1,000 acres of land developed or designated for public parks. The numerous lighted tennis courts, athletic fields, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, recreation centers and gymnasiums offer recreation opportunities for people of all ages and activity levels. Our location provides an ideal environment for business, recreation, and residences.

ABOUT OUR TEAM

We strive to maintain the public's trust by providing excellent customer service to the public, and within the city to other employees.
It's important to us that we treat our fellow teammates and citizens with courtesy and respect, appreciating each other's differences and celebrating our individual perspectives while working toward a common goal.
Cooperative teamwork means great minds don't all think alike! Instead we all have a chance to voice our ideas, be accountable in doing our part, and sharing in a collaborative spirit whenever possible.
Emergency Communication Specialists are on a pay step program. You will receive a step increase on your hire anniversary until you reach Step 5 meaning you will hit the max of the range in no more than 5 years from date of hire.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Emergency Communications team members are "heroes under the headset" who interact with citizens on their worst day, hour, and moment, while directing and keeping first responders safe. These impressive, unseen professionals demonstrate the importance of customer service, teamwork, reliability, and attention to detail.

ABOUT THORNTON

Our mission is to take care of the residents of Thornton AND the people who work for Thornton so we offer awesome benefits to our employees!!
We offer generous paid time off with 8 hours of sick leave & 10 hours of annual vacation leave accrued every month, paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays to use however you want (to celebrate a holiday or take the day off after the Super Bowl or however you want to enjoy life), free rec center passes for employees and their family members, and 40-hours of front-loaded vacation so you can enjoy time off faster!
Other great benefits for this position include $1.00/hour shift differential pay, a step pay program that will have you reaching the maximum of the pay range in no more than 5 years, multilingual pay for Spanish, ASL, and/or Hmong up to $1200/year, and tuition reimbursement up to $3000/year.
Wellness is woven into our DNA. We have wellness programs that participants can enjoy to earn paid days off, volunteer at non-profits that are important to you while earning more annual leave, an EAP program for emotional and mental health, and a commitment for work-life balance.
Diversity in hand with mutual respect and appreciation makes us a stronger better team for the diverse community we serve.

Under general supervision, provides 24-hour emergency/non-emergency dispatch services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

Answers, evaluates and prioritizes incoming emergency and non-emergency phone calls on multiple phone lines; processes and utilizes the radio system to ensure proper deployment of police, fire and EMS emergency units; responsible for the precise and accurate retrieval and dissemination of information.

Evaluates all incoming criminal, medical and fire-related calls to ensure proper police, fire and medical response.

Gathers all necessary information vital to officer response and safety.

Responsible for retrieving, interpreting and relating information to and from the computerized dispatch system.

Performs crisis intervention with distraught callers during high risk situations until appropriate emergency field units arrive on scene.

Operates computer equipment and queries, enters, cancels and modifies information into the state and national crime computer system as required.

Prioritizes citizen requests for emergency services, and dispatches personnel.

Maintains contact, status, and location of police and fire field units. Initiates further emergency action as required.

Maintains accurate Emergency Communications Center call status records.

Ability to problem solve and refer non-emergency citizen calls to appropriate agency.

Maintains confidentiality of information consistent with applicable federal, state and city rules and regulations.

Monitors surveillance cameras throughout the department, including booking area, court security, and holding cells, and requests assistance when necessary; operates door access control panels for secured areas of police building.

Monitors and responds to police building and other city facilities' alarm systems.

Works a varying schedule, shift, holidays, and/or weekends.

May be required to work overtime.

May be responsible for maintaining city geography and jurisdiction knowledge, any new street, business and jurisdictional changes.

May assist field units on locating addresses and streets, providing additional call service information and any other needed information as requested.

May provide training to departmental and non-departmental individuals as requested.

May train new personnel on job responsibilities of Emergency Communications Specialists. May lead ongoing training classes for existing personnel.

May be responsible for managing manpower and resources for police, fire and EMS units.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

High school diploma or GED; one year dispatch experience. Bilingual preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Licensing/Certification Requirements:

Must be able to obtain and maintain Colorado certification of CCIC/NCIC operation, Emergency Medical Dispatching certification (EMD), CPR, and First Aid certification within six months of employment.

May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires.

Successful completion of City of Thornton CritiCall test.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the city of Thornton and the department.

Knowledge of city of Thornton Police Department Standard Operating Procedures.

Knowledge of city of Thornton Fire Department and EMS pertinent directives, guidelines and standards.

Knowledge of the operations and standard operating procedures of a law enforcement agency.

Knowledge of basic report preparation, writing and record keeping.

Skill in understanding basic criminal classifications and civil situations.

Skill in analyzing complex situations and coordinating appropriate responses.

Skill in preparing clear and concise verbal instructions in an emergency situation.

Skill in the operation of a 2-way radio.

Ability to operate or monitor various security devices such as video monitors, alarm systems, and intercom/paging equipment.

Ability to monitor video screens, alarms, and secured areas.

Ability to attend continuing education training to include off-site training programs.

Ability to testify in court by subpoena as required.

Ability to effectively and efficiently interview people in a state of crisis via telephone or Teletype Device for the Deaf (TDD).

Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

Ability to courteously respond to emergency situations and needs.

Ability to comprehend and apply applicable laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to establish and maintain control of situations as they develop, and react quickly and calmly in emergency situations.

Ability to uncover important and relevant information about a problem through conversation, questioning or discussion.

Ability to read maps and provide directions.

Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion.

Ability to work days, nights, weekends and holidays as essential personnel.

Ability to relate and interact with others in a positive manner that results in cooperation, motivation, positive morale, mutual respect and common benefit.

Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences.

Ability to spell accurately.

Ability to use standard office and dispatch equipment, computer equipment, CAD and software, including word processing, data base management, spreadsheet applications and electronic mail.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city employees, other law enforcement and fire agencies, community members and the general public.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

This is a safety-sensitive position. While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to finger, grasp, talk, hear and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly sedentary work, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The employee is required to have close visual acuity. Ability to maintain composure and work under stressful conditions in a fast paced environment.

TESTING PROCEDURES

Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources.

Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration.

As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.

The City of Thornton is an equal opportunity employer.

The City of Thornton offers employees an outstanding benefits package. Benefit eligibility is based on the status of the position. Please email Jobs@thorntonco.gov to receive a copy of our 2024 Benefits Guide.

Benefits offered may include the following depending on the job type/status of the position:

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life, Dependent Life & Supplemental Life Insurance Options
Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policy
Flexible Spending Plan
Retiree Health Savings Plan
Pension Plan & Deferred Compensation Plans
Short & Long-term Disability Plans
Paid Holidays
Vacation & Sick Leave
Multilingual Incentive Pay
Recreation Pass
Wellness Program - Learn more
In-House Training Opportunities
Tuition Reimbursement
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Schedules
Hybrid Schedules

01

Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

02

Please check any of the following certifications that you currently possess:

Colorado CCIC/NCIC Operation Certification
EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatching Certification)
CPR and First Aid Certification
Do not currently possess any of the above certifications

03

Please select the appropriate range of experience you have in police/fire/medical dispatching? Your application and/or resume must substantiate your answer.

None
Less than 1 year
1 year, but less than 2 years
2 or more years

04

Based on your answer to the previous question, please describe in detail your experience in dispatching for police/fire/medical, including customer service, call volume, and other department interaction. If you answered "none" please enter "N/A".

05

When answering the below question regarding your drug use, note that the city of Thornton observes Federal laws as it pertains to Marijuana. Please check your drug usage in regard to previous/current drug usage for Marijuana, Hashish or Hashish Oil.

Used the above listed drug(s) in the last year
Used the above listed drug(s) longer than 1 year ago
Never used the above listed drug(s)

06

Other than medication prescribed to you, please check your drug usage in regard to previous/current drug usage for Methamphetamine, PCP, Inhalants, Ecstasy, GHB, Cocaine, Crack, Mescaline/Peyote, Psilocybin (mushrooms), Amphetamines, Barbituates, LSD, or Steroid.

Used the above listed drug(s) in the last 5 years
Used the above listed drug(s) longer than 5 years ago
Never used the above listed drug(s)

07

In response to the drug questions above, please list the drug type(s) used and year of last use. If you answered that you have never used drugs, please enter "N/A". (Please note, answering that you have used any drugs does not automatically disqualify you from employment. The nature of the use and dates will be taken into consideration.)

08

If you fluently speak a language other than English, please list the language(s) below.

09

Have you been fired or asked to resign from any previous job in the last 5 years? This is NOT to include a "lay off" of "reduction in force" that was outside your control.

Required Question