Public Safety Telecommunicator

Public Safety Telecommunicator are responsible for the efficient response to emergency and non-emergency calls to include but not limited to, receiving, processing, effectively prioritizing and documenting all calls for service for police, fire and medical assistance from the public, relaying  information to the appropriate source for assistance, and performing related administrative duties.  

* Answer emergency (9-1-1) and non-emergency telephone lines obtaining information, prioritizing and confirming the location of calls as well as making independent determination of appropriate action for processing all incoming calls for service, to include relaying pertinent information to the appropriate public safety response unit (police, fire, and/or emergency medical services/EMS) or providing callers with the appropriate advice or referral..
* Operate and monitor two-way radio channels, computer aided display (CAD) monitors and other related sophisticated communications equipment systems, while efficiently gathering, prioritizing, and documenting caller information.
* Process complaints and make appropriate referrals on a broad variety of public safety matters, that often require referring to or memorizing detailed reference materials and standard operating procedures, including databases, maps, telephone listings, and other resources.
* Summarize critical information for public safety first responders in the computer aided dispatch system using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and refer and classify calls for police/fire/EMS assistance according to the level of response required.
* Provide administrative public safety information, such as, but not limited to, how to file accident reports, report a crime, find a towed car, etc.
* Access and operate multiple computer systems, including local and state database systems to verify information; systems to locate existing or prior warrants, protective or other orders and/or officer safety information and effectively communicate this information to officers; and the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS/OMNIXX) system, including, but not limited to, persons, vehicles, drivers, guns, articles and Computerized Criminal Histories files to query, enter, modify, clear and cancel data.
* Compose and/or send various teletypes or comprehend and process correctly those received.
* Receive requests by radio, phone, electronic format or fax from law enforcement, fire/medical personnel, and other public safety agencies to, access, enter, retrieve and disseminate records, motor vehicle records stolen property, wanted persons and criminal history files utilizing local, state and national database systems; prioritize and effectively relay information in proper format to requesting agency. Contact outside public service divisions as requested and relay information as required.
* Perform other duties as assigned, to include assisting with jail staff as required and/or assigned.

Required:

High School Diploma or G.E.D.  Willingness to and/ability to work all shifts including holidays, weekends and mandatory overtime.   Must successfully complete and/or pass all required pre-employment testing and obtain TCOLE certification within one year of hire.  Possess strong communication skills to include, but not limited to:  multi-tasking, strong listening skills, strong oral communication, and effective writing skills, to include intermediate typing skills.  Ability to function efficiently under stress, extreme pressure and/or emergency situations while handling several functions simultaneously.  Ability to read/understand current telecommunications organizational structure, policies, procedures, programs, practices, terminology and services; to include the ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions. Must not currently be or have been within the last ten (10) years on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense of the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or above.  May not have been convicted of an offense of the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or above within the last ten (10) years.  May not have been, at any time, convicted of felony offense or any family violence offense.

Preferred:

Two (2) years of work experience, where public contact via telephone, computer use and data entry were the primary responsibilities; or six months of Telecommunications experience where providing service for police, fire and EMS services was the primary responsibility.  Work experience preferably in a telephone/call center environment

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job or that 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.

* Incumbents function in a stressful, fast paced environment and work shifts are specified by agency need and management direction.  The shifts may include nights, weekends, holidays, as well as mandatory overtime as required.  
* Sitting is required for extended periods at a workstation wearing communications equipment, which limits mobility, with the exception of scheduled work breaks.
* Work is performed in a secured 9-1-1 emergency call center in a controlled, closely supervised, and highly structured work environment.
* Work requires visual and muscular dexterity to operate communications equipment (computer-aided dispatch equipment, telephones and radios).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Drug Screening:  Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this position, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment or pre-placement drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy.

Additional Criminal Background Screening Required:  In addition to the standard pre-employment criminal background check, individuals receiving a conditional offer for this position shall be subject to a finger-print based background screening due to the required access to secured buildings and/or secure data systems.

PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR SELECTION PROCESS FLOW CHART

* Candidate Applies Before Application Filing Deadline
* Return Personal History Statement to Police Department
* Critical Multitasking Test Administered
* Preliminary Interview
* Records Check
* Oral Interview
* Fingerprinting Check
* Background Investigation
* Interview with Assistant Chief
* Psychological Exam*
* Drug Screen and Medical Examination*
* Candidate selected OR Application held for Future Consideration

Candidates must be successful in each phase of the selection process.

Candidates may be eliminated or disqualified at any point in the process for failure to meet the criteria set forth by the Police Department.

* A conditional offer of employment will have been made before the drug screen, medical exam and psychological exam are administered.

The expected duration of the application process is 60-90 days. Those successfully completing the selection process will be placed on an eligibility list for 6 months.  After 6 months, the applicant must reapply.  Applicants who fail to successfully complete any portion of the selection process shall be notified in writing by the Human Resources Department.  This notification will include the eligibility date to reapply which will be no sooner than 30 days from the rejection date.