911 Telecommunications Officer

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following, but not limited to:

• Receives calls from the public and accurately assign their request for Police, Fire, EMS and other allied Public Safety resources.
• Dispatch appropriate units and resources.
• Provide communications coordination of Public Safety resources.
• Accurate and timely utilization of CAD system for complaint taking, location verification, resource dispatching and coordinating public safety incidents.
• Transmission and retrieval of information through NCIC network.
• Give pre-arrival medical instructions.
• Accurate recording of information on a variety of forms, logs and computer screens as dictated by policies and procedures.
• Maintain security of Communications Center.
• Monitor equipment performance and service requests.

Communications

• Actively listen to others for understanding of their needs and situations.
• Speak English clearly, fluently and articulately using vocabulary appropriate to the audience.
• Assertively control conversations in order to quickly and accurately gather pertinent information and be able to communicate this information professionally and precisely to the proper recipient.
• Ability to read and understand written correspondence, memoranda and directives.
• Report events and information in legible writing and accurately use proper English grammar, spelling, punctuation and structure.

Decision-Making

• Must act in a decisive manner, using good judgement.
• Ability to effectively prioritize situations and information and make appropriate decisions based on information received.
• Retain the ability to learn and apply new information.
• Handle a variety of rapidly flowing information at once.
• Handle stressful emergency situations calmly in order to avoid overreaction.
• Maintain flexibility to foster teamwork and motivate others to work more productively.
• Employee must maintain confidentiality at all times.

Interpersonal Relationships

• Must be consistent in dealing with co-workers and other agencies.
• Ability and willingness to accept criticism and/or discipline.
• Contribute to a pleasant work environment by maintaining a positive attitude when carrying out duties or complying with policies.

Professional Attitude

• Act in a mature, dependable fashion.
• Willingness to maintain dependable work habits such as reporting to work on time, without prompting and/or intervention.
• Must represent the organization to other agencies and citizens with a courteous, helpful, accurate and business-like attitude at all times.

Quality of Work

• Provide high quality, accurate work along with the ability to complete required reports in a timely manner.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously and remain focused under stress.
• Show initiative in completing work assignments, and the ability to allocate own time efficiently.

Availability

• Additional training and traveling may be requested.
• Extended work hours may be requested to complete job assignments.
• Must be able to work nights, weekends, holidays and different work hours as scheduled.
• Employee may be called into to cover a vacant shift at any given time. This could be on scheduled off day or approved vacation time, if circumstance require additional help.

Technical Knowledge: Must have a strong knowledge of computer and data entry.

• Knowledge of personal computers
• Knowledge of proper use and care of telephone and data entry equipment
• Knowledge and understanding of the purpose of 9-1-1
• General knowledge of organization and functions as well as various vendors, telephone companies and public safety agencies.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

High school graduation or its equivalent; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities; or demonstrate ability to acquire such skills through on-the-job training techniques.

Knowledge Of:

911 dispatch procedures, courteous and professional telephone etiquette, computers and standard office practices and procedures, personnel practices and procedures and medical and or CPR procedures.

Skill/Ability To:

• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously
• key entry to produce an acceptable record;
• operate computer aided dispatch system (CAD)
• work effectively under emergency and high stress conditions;
• read and understand manuals, letters, and memos;
• operate office equipment, such as copy machine and facsimile machine
• communicate effectively, both in person and utilizing other communication devices and systems
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must have the ability to successfully complete all certifications for Telecommunicator Trainee. All previous training must remain current and up to date, if required.
• Communications Operator certification of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education (TCLEOSE), TEEX Course and State Exam, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), Basic Telecommunications Course (40hrs), TLETS/NLETS, TCIC/NCIC Full Access Operator Training, Interpol, CJIS Security Awareness, Basic TTY/TDD. To reach TCOLE Basic, the following classes are required in addition to the previous required training; Crisis Communication and complete FTO.
• Valid Texas driver’s license or available alternate means of transportation.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to operate office equipment, including telephone and computer keyboard, reach with hands and arms, and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk; and the employee may be required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds, such as books and stacks of records. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to listen to multiple radio channels and process request as instructed.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee is a vital link between emergency service providers and the public. The employee frequently must provide assistance to individuals in various emergency situations. The employee must remain calm and professional in tense, emotionally charged, and stressful situations. The employee frequently must work under time pressures to meet deadlines and must perform multiple tasks simultaneously (such as talking with callers, dispatching emergency services by radio, and entering information into the CAD management system). The employee constantly must present a positive attitude as a role model in the community. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but may be noisy and distracting.

Washington County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Employment is contingent on passing post-offer, pre-employment, reasonable suspicion and/or periodic drug, criminal background investigations, and motor vehicle record reports as appropriate under policy.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $18.65 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Holidays
• Night shift
• On call
• Overnight shift
• Overtime
• Weekend availability

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver’s License (Required)

Security clearance:

• Confidential (Preferred)

Work Location: In person