Communications Officer

Harris County Sheriff's Office; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris County Sheriff's Office is seeking Communications Officers for the Emergency Dispatch Center to receive, process, and disseminate calls for service, ensuring timely public safety response. You must be able to work varying shifts, including weekends and holidays, and complete Telecommunicator training to obtain TCOLE certification within a year.

Strong communication and multitasking skills are essential.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED from a U.S. accredited school.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• United States Citizen or Certificate of Naturalization (See General Information for exceptions)

Responsibilities

• Receive, process, and disseminate calls for service efficiently to attain a timely public safety response
• Communicate and liaise with Command Staff, employees, other agencies, and the public in a knowledgeable, efficient manner
• Answer telephone calls, resolve issues, provide information, and multitask
• Handle confidential and sensitive information discreetly
• Work different shifts including weekends, holidays, and overtime as required

Skills

Stress resilience

Communication skills

Multitasking

Bilingual in Spanish

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

CAD/JIMS/ARS/OMNIXX

Word

Excel

Job description

The Emergency Dispatch Center (EDC) Communications Officers shall be responsible for receiving, processing, and disseminating calls for service efficiently to attain an appropriate and timely public safety response. Communications Officers must be willing to work during any declared Office of Emergency Management event and accept different hours and days off depending on the demands of the EDC. Communication Officers shall be responsible for carrying out all other assignments as directed by supervisory personnel.

This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Ability to handle and/or work in stressful situations

Additional testing may be required

• High School Diploma or GED from a U.S. accredited school
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• United States Citizen or Certificate of Naturalization (See General Information for exceptions)
• Valid driver's license or state-issued I.D. (Must be Texas issued by hire date)
• Must pass an extensive background investigation, TB skin test, and drug screening
• Must pass pre-employment testing and demonstrate essential job skills
• Willing to work different shifts to include weekends, holidays, and overtime as required

Knowledge of

• Chapter 49 Penal Code and Transportation Code.

Skilled in

• Proficient in correspondence, and reports and assist in the processing of documents as required
• Demonstrated proficiency with computer and related software, i.e. Word and Excel
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written

Ability to

• Communicate and liaise with Command Staff, employees, other agencies, and the public in a knowledgeable, efficient, and courteous manner
• Create, maintain, and update critical files in an organized manner
• Answer telephone calls, resolve issues, provide information, and multitask
• Handle confidential and sensitive information in a discreet manner
• Receive, process, and disseminate calls for service efficiently to attain an appropriate and timely public safety response
• Independently initiate action consistent with existing policies and procedures, based upon observed situations, and utilizing sound judgment
• Work overtime and/or varying duty hours as deemed necessary; including weekends, holidays with an excellent attendance record

Continued employment is contingent upon the successful completion of Telecommunicator training and passing all testing required to obtain the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Telecommunicator certification within a year of employment.

New hire orientation

• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on the first day and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. for the next two weeks with Saturday/Sunday off.

On-the-job training (approx. 7 weeks)

• 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.,
• 2 p.m. - 10 p.m., or
• 10 p.m. - 6 a.m., with the same off days as the trainer

Upon completion of training

• 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. or
• 10 p.m. - 6 a.m. shift, days off will be determined according to whatever is available

• Previous experience in emergency dispatch or 911 operation
• Bilingual in Spanish
• Demonstrated proficiency with computer and related software, i.e. CAD, JIMS, ARS, OMNIXX, etc.

Hours

• 40 Hours Per Week / Shift Work
• Includes Nights, Weekends, and Holidays
• Mandatory Overtime as deemed necessary to fulfill operational needs

Salary and Incentive Pay

• Paid biweekly based on 26 pay periods per year, plus benefits
• Up to 14 years of credit for service as a TCOLE Certified Telecommunicator upon hire (Restrictions Apply)

Salary

• $44,470.40 annually / $1,710.40 biweekly - Starting
• $47,964.80 annually / $1,844.80 biweekly - After 24 months

Citizenship Exceptions

Per SB 252, you may be eligible for TCOLE licensure if you have fulfilled all of the following requirements:

1. Must be a permanent legal resident
2. Must be an honorably discharged veteran from the United States armed forces with at least two years of active service (Must have DD-214 that reflects service time and discharge status)
3. Must provide evidence that they have applied for United States Citizenship

Equal Opportunity Statement

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.