Communications Officer

Responsibilities

Work involves handling all incoming emergency and administrative calls by telephone or two‑way radio from the public, County department, or other departmental or law enforcement personnel. Will obtain and share needed information via teletype equipment or computer.

Receive incoming calls on both the telephone and two‑way radio; evaluate calls and direct them to appropriate staff and / or agencies; dispatch units and relay information pertinent to file operations.

Performs computer‑assisted and manual records checks for officers on individuals, locations, vehicles and other property, sometimes verifying warrants or reports of stolen property with the originating agency.

Maintains, updates and accesses for officers various logs and computer data files (incident reports, stolen or repossessed property logs, rotation logs, maps, etc.).

Enters information into Texas and National Crime Information Computer Systems.

Monitors jail emergency alarms and notifies appropriate authorities if problem develops.

Monitors court emergency alarms, radio and telephone and provide assistance as needed.

Places calls to employees on duty after hours in the following departments : County Medical Examiners, Narcotics, Animal Control, Parks and Wildlife, Precincts, etc.

Processes daily paperwork and assigns County offense numbers.

Processes emergency 9‑1‑1 calls and other routine telephone traffic.

Attends briefing before start of shift. Reviews daily log for any changes and checks bulletin board for new schedules, memos and duty rosters.

May be required to assist in the training of new dispatchers.

Monitors and performs minor maintenance on equipment.

Responsible for insuring all law enforcement records created during the shift are properly documented and accounted for.

Monitors and responds to radio traffic.

Performs other related work as assigned.

Qualifications

Graduation from a high school or equivalent (GED).

Graduation from an accredited two (2) year college with an Associate’s degree in related field preferred.

Two (2) years of experience may be substituted for one (1) year of education.

One (1) year experience in communications, dispatching, and / or related work preferred.

Certificates, Licenses and Registration

Must have a current valid Texas motor vehicle operator’s license.

Must be able to be insured by the County’s insurance carrier.

Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Successful applicants must, at the time of appointment to the positions, meet the minimum requirements for Basic Certification of Telecommunicator from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), and must, within one year of appointment to the position, obtain and thereafter maintain a Basic Certification as a Telecommunicator from TCOLE.

Core Competencies

Knowledge of radio transmission procedures and of Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations governing operation of radio and teletype transmitting and receiving.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and speak clearly and concisely.

Ability to speak effectively with citizens and employees of organizations.

Ability to use radio and electronic data communications equipment.

Ability to multitask in a stressful situation.

Ability to keep accurate records.

Ability to operate, or demonstrated ability to learn to operate, a computer.

Ability to read and write in the English language.

Bilingual (Spanish and English) with the ability to converse fluently in both languages.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.

Ability to write reports and correspondence.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Other Duties

Employee may be assigned other duties in addition to those listed; duties may change according to the changing needs of the County.

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