*Communications 2/Dispatch

City of Bradenton; Bradenton (FL); On-site; USD 24,796 - 34,440; Full time

Job summary

City of Bradenton is seeking a Public Safety Telecommunicator – Communicator I to provide the first link between residents and emergency services. This training position advances to Comm II after state certification.

Responsibilities include handling E911 and non‑emergency calls, dispatching police and fire units, and maintaining logs. Must pass a rigorous assessment and complete certification within 12 months.

Qualifications

• Must have high school diploma or GED.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and on‑the‑job training provided.
• Willingness to obtain State Certification within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Answer citizen calls for service (emergency and non‑emergency).
• Dispatch police and fire resources per procedures.
• Enter calls into CAD and route to appropriate agencies.
• Maintain communications logs and records.

Skills

CAD operation

NCIC/FCIC knowledge

E911 knowledge

Multitasking

Communication skills

Education

HS Diploma

Tools

CAD software

E911 console

Job description

Communications 2/Dispatch

Department

Bradenton Police Department

Compensation

USD 21.50 per hour

Hours

Full-time

Deadline

Open until filled

Supervision Received

Works under the general direction of and is responsible to the Communications Supervisor, Captain of Patrol Support, Deputy Chief, Chief of Police.

General Purpose Of The Position

The purpose of this position is to provide the vital first link between the citizens and the City’s emergency services resources. This position will directly contribute to the safety and well‑being of the City’s Police and Fire departments and the City’s residents. Public Safety Telecommunicators answer citizen calls for service, both emergency and non‑emergency, and dispatch City emergency forces and other resource agencies, in accordance with prescribed procedures, often requiring immediate independent judgment. The Public Safety Telecommunicator – Comm I position is a training position and once completed and state certified, will move to the Public Safety Telecommunicator – Comm II position.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Track and monitor officers and designated personnel.
• Maintain the integrity of the NCIC/FCIC terminal, City data terminal, County E911 terminal, and the proper routing of all messages.
• Prioritize calls.
• Receive and enter complaints (emergency E911 and/or non‑emergency calls) into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, and/or transfer appropriate calls to the necessary surrounding agencies.
• Operate telephone consoles/switchboard; operate the E911 console.
• Coordinate with other law enforcement agencies.
• Run NCIC/FCIC inquiries, entries, and cancels.
• Disseminate important BOLOS.
• Page agency members.
• Dispatch calls for service, police and fire.
• Process hit confirmations requests.
• Maintain communications logs.
• Update records, reports, documentation, manuals, files and logs.
• Inform superiors of events and activities in progress.
• Monitor all equipment to ensure it is functioning.
• Process wrecker requests and maintain wrecker logs.

Skills And Physical Abilities Required

• Knowledge of City rules and regulations, Bradenton Police Department’s General Orders, and Bradenton Fire Department’s Standard Operating Procedure.
• Knowledge of Dispatch Codes and ability to interpret them.
• Knowledge of the geographical jurisdiction of the City and for both Police and Fire Department zones.
• Knowledge of FCC laws, regulations, procedures and practices applicable to basic radio‑telephone operation.
• Ability to simultaneously perform multiple communication tasks under stressful and non‑stressful conditions.
• Ability to efficiently operate the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch).
• Ability to efficiently operate the FCIC/NCIC computers in accordance with agency policies and state and federal regulation.
• Ability to operate the E911 system following established procedures and routing calls if necessary to the proper authorities.
• Ability to multi‑task, to hear, interpret and give both verbal and written instructions at the same time.
• Ability to prioritize.
• Ability to speak clearly and concisely over the radio and telephone.
• Ability to make quick sound decisions and act upon them in emergencies using all available information.
• Ability to read maps.
• Skill to accomplish tasks in a controlled, effective manner while working under stress.
• Must pass the Critical Test (data entry, decision making, keyboarding, call summarization, memory recall, character comparison, prioritization, spelling, probability, sentence clarity, reading comprehension).
• This is office work in a confined restricted area requiring limited physical effort. Manual dexterity to operate computers and other office equipment is required.

Computer Equipment and Software Requirements

Proficiency in computer software and the ability to adapt to other software programs with ease.

Education And Experience Required

Minimum 18 years of age, United States citizen or resident green card holder. High school diploma or GED equivalent. Ability to operate a personal computer is required. On the job training will be provided. Prior to hiring, required to sit in and observe the working conditions for an hour. Possession of and ability to maintain a valid Florida driver’s license.

Preferred

Bi‑lingual skills strongly desired.

Special Requirements

Personality Inventory Test, Polygraph, medical exam, urinalysis/drug screen, and a background investigation are required. Willingness and ability to work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends, on‑call status, irregular duty assignments and during emergency crises. Must successfully complete the State Certified Training Program for Telecommunicators and pass the State Certification Test to obtain a State Certification within twelve (12) months of hire.

Job Classification

COMMN1

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job‑related instructions and to perform any other job‑related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. This review has excluded the marginal functions that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. Duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities needed to perform each duty proficiently. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at‑will" relationship.