Download COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (Department of Public Safety

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
(Department of Public Safety)
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:
Employees in this class are responsible for monitoring, dispatching and coordinating calls for
emergency services, to include but not limited to fire, EMS, law enforcement, emergency
management and public works. This is a key position directly related to the life and property
safety of the public, and will be required to work days, nights, weekends and holidays. The
Washington County Communications Center is a 24-hour a day, 7 day a week operation.
Communications Officers shall maintain radio communications with units in the field while
monitoring numerous telephone lines, alarm systems and radio frequencies simultaneously and
must exercise sound independent judgment in prioritizing calls and dispatching appropriate
emergency services to situations, which may involve danger to life and /or damage to property as
quickly as possible. This job involves an unusual working environment, which includes high
stress dealing with life and death situations, requiring the need to remain calm in emergency
situations and remain polite when communicating. Incumbents must maintain accurate records
of all calls placed and received. May be required to perform various clerical duties as needed,
does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITES:
Receives calls from the public in need of fire, EMS, law enforcement or other emergency
services and dispatches appropriate emergency personnel;
Queries the caller in a calm, systematic manner to determine the seriousness and nature of the
situation, the location, the services needed, and other information to evaluate the situation,
entering the information into the computer aided dispatch application;
Exercises sound independent judgment in dispatching services and coordinating the participation
of various emergency personnel and equipment to the scene;
Operates telephone communications equipment and inputs data into the computer aided dispatch
application utilizing a computer keyboard;
Maintains a continuous log of all telephone and radio calls sent out or received, records of the
status of all emergency equipment in the county;
Utilizes computerized databases (including DCJS e-Justice Portal) to access and record data and
information;
Responsible for after hours, weekend and holiday paging and dispatching for various other
Departments, to include but not limited to village, town and county public works, social services,
coroners, buildings & grounds, and public health;
Monitors National Warning System (NAWS) for calls from the National Weather Service and/or
State Emergency Management Watch Center related to weather related watches, warnings,
natural disasters, or emergencies and relays information as directed;
Monitors alarm systems for communications and telephony equipment and reports issues with
the same;
Operates communications equipment within the Mobile Command Post;
Maintains security and order within the communications center;
Maintains entry into the municipal center after hours;
Performs routine cleaning of the work area and equipment;
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL
CHARACTERISTICS:
Good knowledge of the principals and operation of communications and telephone equipment
and emergency services terminology;
Good knowledge of the county and the region;
Good knowledge of the various emergency services mutual aid plans and alarm assignments in
force within Washington County;
Ability to control communications with distraught and/or confused callers through calm,
carefully directed interrogation to obtain all pertinent information regarding the request for
service;
Ability to orally transmit messages with good diction and a clear speaking voice;
Ability to quickly and accurately enter orally transmitted data into the computer aided dispatch
application via keyboard;
Ability to use good judgment, tact, and courtesy in talking to the public and in responding to
requests for fire, EMS, law enforcement, emergency management or other emergency services;
Ability to follow oral and written instructions, which pertain to job assignment and methods of
performance;
Ability to prioritize emergency calls and dispatch appropriately;
Ability to multi-task;
Ability to use various office equipment;
Ability to perform routine clerical tasks such as making written entries on logs and filing written
records, to include but not limited to orders of protection, warrant entries, missing person entries
and other related e-Justice Portal information;
Ability to write legibly, prepare reports and maintain records;
Ability to perform duties while sitting for long lengths of time;
Ability to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands
and arms;
Ability to communicate and meet vision standards required by this job include close vision and
the ability to adjust focus;
Ability to work/adjust to work environment that fluctuates from quiet to moderately noisy.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from high school or possession of an appropriate equivalency diploma AND one (1)
year experience operating a radio in a Fire, EMS or Law Enforcement environment OR two (2)
years experience in a customer service role interacting with the public.
A valid Driver’s License is required at time of appointment.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Incumbents in this positon are required to complete training in the following;
NYS Basic Telecommunications Officer (or equivalent)
Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification and all ongoing requirements for the same;
Computer based telephony system;
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system;
Communications System;
eJusticeNY Portal;
National Incident Management System (NIMS) (Level 100, 200, 700)