Communications Officer

Brown County; Aberdeen (SD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown County is seeking a Communications Officer to answer emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch appropriate responders. The role includes assessing situations, providing life‑saving instructions, and coordinating with law enforcement, fire, and medical services.

You will work in a controlled, high‑pressure environment, using CAD and radio equipment, maintain accurate records, and ensure public safety.

Qualifications

• Specialised training in the field (in addition to a high school diploma).
• 1–2 years' related experience or completion of an apprenticeship/internship.
• Must obtain state 911 certification within one year.
• Must work varied shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Background checks with no disqualifying felonies.

Responsibilities

• Receives and processes requests for law enforcement, fire, and medical personnel via telephone, radio, text, alarms.
• Provides pre-arrival instructions to callers.
• Determines emergency locations and interprets GPS data to dispatch resources.
• Initiates incident response and ensures responders are aware and correctly deployed.
• Monitors scene and responder safety.
• Documents information accurately using a CAD system and other software.
• Manages call data and radio traffic to ensure real-time situational awareness.
• Disseminates severe weather watches and warnings.

Skills

Emergency communications

NCIC policies

Emergency dispatch procedures

Radio & telecom equipment

CAD system functions

Computer literacy

Decision making under pressure

Public relations

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Critical thinking & conflict

Education

High school diploma

State 911 certification

NCIC/CPR/EMD/CJIS certifications

Apprenticeship/Internship

Tools

CAD system

GPS/location tools

Radio equipment

Job description

Job Summary

This position is responsible for answering emergency and non-emergency calls and for dispatching appropriate personnel. The work involves the assessment of situations, the dispatching of appropriate responders, and the provision of life‑saving instructions to callers. An incumbent in this position may be designated “Senior Communications Officer.”

Major Duties

• Receives and processes requests for law enforcement, fire, and medical personnel received via telephone, radio, text messages, visual data, alarms, etc.

• Provides pre‑arrival instructions to callers.

• Determines the location of emergencies, including ascertaining the address, street names, intersections, landmarks, etc.; interprets global positioning system (GPS) coordinates relayed from emergency assistance applications on various operating systems.

• Defines the type of incident to ensure that proper resources are deployed.

• Initiates incident response, ensuring proper resources are aware of and appropriately responding to incidents.

• Monitors scene and responder safety.

• Documents information accurately, including federally protected Criminal Justice Information data, using a computer‑aided dispatch (CAD) system and other computer operating systems.

• Manages callers seeking assistance in compliance with standardised operating procedures.

• Manages call data to ensure additional information is captured in real time using the CAD system.

• Monitors and controls radio traffic.

• Operates multiple computer programmes in order to perform job tasks, including looking at and keeping track of activities on multiple screens.

• Disseminates severe weather watches and warnings.

• Performs related duties.

Knowledge Required by the Position

• Knowledge of emergency communications principles and practices.

• Knowledge of NCIC policies and procedures.

• Knowledge of emergency dispatch procedures.

• Knowledge of radio and telecommunications equipment.

• Knowledge of CAD system functions and maintenance.

• Skill in the use of computers and job‑related software programmes.

• Skill in making decisions in high pressure and emergency situations.

• Skill in public relations.

• Skill in interpersonal relations.

• Skill in oral and written communication.

• Skill in critical thinking, decision‑making, and conflict resolution.

Supervisory Controls

The 911 Shift Supervisor assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot‑checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

Guidelines

Guidelines include NCIC guidelines, relevant state and federal regulations, training guidelines, and county and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application

Complexity/Scope of Work

• The work consists of related emergency communications duties. The necessity of responding to unforeseen and emergency situations contributes to the complexity of the work.

• The purpose of this position is to receive calls emergency and non‑emergency calls and to dispatch emergency service personnel as appropriate. Successful performance contributes to the efficient and effective response to emergency and life‑threatening situations.

Contacts

• Contacts are typically with department personnel, representatives of emergency services agencies, representatives of other local governments, vendors, and the general public.

• Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, resolve problems, provide services, and motivate persons.

Physical Demands/ Work Environment

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table in a confined work area or while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light objects, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, and distinguishes between shades of colour.

• The work is typically performed in an office at a computer using visual, auditory and physical methods.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility

None.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with completion of specialised training in the field of work, in addition to a high school diploma.

• Sufficient experience to understand the basics of the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.

• Possession of or ability to readily obtain state 911 certification within one year.

• Ability to work varied shifts, including nights, weekends, and/or holidays.

• Employees are required to obtain certification by the National Crime Information Centre (NCIC), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) and Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) within six months of employment.

• This position requires an intensive background check to be completed on applicants who receive conditional offers. Any felony convictions will disqualify an applicant, and any applicant who fails to disclose criminal background information will be automatically disqualified from further consideration.

Equal Opportunity Employer