Communications Officer

City of Riverside (MO); Missouri; On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Communications Officer to respond to critical calls for the police and fire departments. This role involves timely communication, dispatching services, and maintaining logs during emergencies. The ideal candidate will excel in multitasking and communication while handling sensitive situations with professionalism. With a structured 12-hour shift schedule, including weekends and holidays, this position offers on-the-job training and the opportunity to serve the community effectively. If you are passionate about public service and thrive in dynamic environments, this role is an excellent fit for you.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years old and a U.S. citizen.
• Ability to type 30 words per minute preferred.
• Previous dispatching experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Answering emergency and non-emergency calls promptly.
• Dispatching personnel and maintaining communication logs.
• Monitoring alarms and security cameras.

Skills

Communication Skills

Data Entry

Multi-tasking

Emergency Response

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Communication Equipment

Job description

The Communications Officer responds to telephone and radio dispatch communications for both the police and fire departments, providing citizens and emergency response teams with valuable information during critical and emergency situations.

Primary responsibilities include:

1. Answering all emergency and non-emergency calls in a timely and professional manner, gathering necessary information to transmit or relay;
2. Dispatching appropriate personnel, equipment, and services;
3. Maintaining manual and automated logs of communication;
4. Inputting data into various department and law enforcement databases and forms;
5. Monitoring weather broadcasts and warnings;
6. Monitoring city alarms and security cameras.

Communications Officers may be involved in specialized units such as the Property Room, CSI, and Records, and may participate in outreach programs like the Special Olympics, Fire/Police Athletic League, and Shop with a Cop/Firefighter.

Requirements include:

• Must be 18 years of age, possess a valid driver’s license, and be a U.S. citizen;
• High School Diploma or GED required;
• Previous dispatching experience preferred but not required;
• Ability to type 30 words per minute preferred;
• Must have a clean criminal record;
• Ability to sit for extended periods and work in adverse weather conditions;
• Willingness to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime.

Disqualifying Factors include:

• Felony crimes under Missouri Statute;
• Non-felony crimes involving moral turpitude (case-by-case review);
• Excessive traffic tickets;
• Conviction of domestic violence or active protection orders;
• Selling or distributing narcotics;
• Lying in official investigations;
• Use or possession of controlled substances within specified time frames;
• Providing false information on employment application.

The ideal candidate will communicate clearly and operate various communication tools effectively, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, and maintain professionalism and confidentiality, especially during sensitive calls.

The schedule is a set 12-hour shift with every other Friday through Sunday off, including nights, weekends, holidays, and some overtime. On-the-job training is provided.