Communications Officer

at  City of Midlothian

STARTING HIRING PAY DEPENDENT ON EXPERIENCE IN DISPATCH

Under direct supervision of the Communications Manager, this position operates communication equipment and coordinates all emergency calls coming into the Northern Ellis Emergency Dispatch (NEED) center, located in the Midlothian Police Department for Police/Fire/EMS services. This position requires constant contact with the public in stressful situations that require clear thinking, calmness, stability, tact, good judgment, and clearly understandable speaking skills. Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or GED equivalent is required.
Experience in a similar role is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The following is preferred to be possessed by incumbent:

• Knowledge of radio, telephones, TDD phones, special equipment such as TLETS, 911 equipment, CAD, law and ordinance books, director files, streets and telephone number crisscross reference books, tape logger, printers, maps, headsets, computer and policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate in a clear, effective, and concise manner, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions under stress.
• Ability to effectively communicate with and elicit information from distraught and irate individuals.
• Ability to follow instructions, safety practices, procedures, and perform work accurately and thoroughly which requires performing multiple tasks simultaneously under time pressures, intense stress, and deadlines.
• Knowledge of office procedures such as filing, bookkeeping, and records maintenance.
• Skilled in the operation of communications equipment, computer and two-way radios.
• Ability to read, interpret and apply communications equipment operating manuals as reference materials.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with all people.
• Ability to correctly interpret, explain, and apply laws, rules, operations, practices, procedures, regulations, and policies.
• Ability to be punctual and attend work regularly.
• Ability to appear and testify in Court.
• Ability to be organized and have efficient management of time and deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge and ability to utilize computers and applicable software on a daily basis including: Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, CRIMES CAD system, Solacom, Priority Dispatch software system, and Openfox.
• Knowledge of and ability to correctly interpret specific practices, requirements, policies, and procedures, to include: TCOLE licensing rules; Federal, State, and City laws, regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures; and police practices and services.
• Ability to allocate and utilize resources in a cost-effective manner.
• All other duties as assigned.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be at least 18 years of age. a U.S. citizen, and meet all other required licensing standards.
Must attend all required trainings.
Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, CJIS and fingerprint check, and have the ability to comply with state and federal requirements for criminal justice information security standards.
Ability to work a variety of shifts as assigned, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to respond, for any critical incident, manmade or natural.
This position is classified as a safety-sensitive position and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing during the course of employment.
This position requires an elevated level of confidentiality. You must be able to preserve the integrity of authorized access and disclosure, including means for protecting personal privacy and the integrity of on-going criminal investigations.
Ability to hear in each ear with no loss greater than 25 dB in the 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 hertz frequencies as measured by an audiometer

Please refer the Job description for details