COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

City of Pierre Fire Department; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer paid employee health, dental, and life insurance

6% employer match to South Dakota Retirement System

12 paid holidays

$2000 annual educational assistance

$3000 signing bonus

Job summary

The City of Pierre is looking for a Communications Officer to operate the Central South Dakota Communications Center. In this role, you will handle emergency and non-emergency calls, ensuring the appropriate public safety personnel are dispatched. Candidates must be able to multitask, remain calm in stressful situations, and possess strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Good typing skills required.
• Computer knowledge is a plus.
• Knowledge of public safety preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Operate the 911 Emergency Dispatch Center.
• Document and dispatch public safety personnel.
• Monitor and route incoming messages.

Skills

Communication

Multi-tasking

Calm under pressure

Public relations

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

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As a communications officer you will be working as partof a team operating the Central South Dakota Communications Center, the911-Emergency Dispatch Center for central South Dakota. You will be receivingcalls for assistance from the public, documenting and dispatching appropriatepublic safety personnel for those calls. You will also be receiving, processingand sending radio communications for various Law Enforcement Agencies,Emergency Medical Services, and local Fire Departments.

HOURS: 40hours per week - Shift work

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

DESCRIPTION: As a communications officer you will be working as part of a team operating the Central South Dakota Communication Center. You will be receiving calls for assistance from the public, documenting and dispatching appropriate public safety personnel for those calls. You will also be receiving, processing and sending radio communications for various Law Enforcement Agencies, Emergency Medical Services, and local Fire Departments.

HOURS: 40 hours per week – Shift work

JOB TITLE: Communications Officer

DEPARTMENT: Police, City of Pierre

DUTIES:

• Operations of the 911 Emergency Dispatch Center
• Receives, processes, dispatches, & records all telephone & radio calls for police, fire, ambulance, and other governmental agencies. All maintenance of records & logs is done on a computerized system
• Receives calls for assistance from the public
• Document and dispatch appropriate public safety personnel as needed
• Monitors and routes incoming messages from national and state computer networks; enters and removes information as requested into NCIC network
• Assists officers by using the NCIC computer system to run criminal, vehicle and driver’s license information
• Type incident and other reports, as well as data entry
• Performs other related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local statues and department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the regulations and procedures of state and national crime information centers.
• Knowledge of mapping practices.
• Knowledge of public roadways in South Dakota.
• Knowledge of radio codes used in public safety work.
• Knowledge of dispatching procedures for Law, Fire, and EMS-agencies.
• The ability to effectively communicate with the public.
• The ability to operate radio/communications equipment.
• The ability to make decisions in a timely and accurate manner.
• The ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks that are happening at the same time.
• Skill in the operation of computers and internet.
• Skill in the operation of computer aided dispatching computer programs.
• Skill in maintaining records and preparing reports.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Communications Manager assignswork in terms of general instructions. Completed work is reviewed forcompliance with procedures and the nature and propriety of the final results.

GUIDELINES: Guidelines include federal andstate laws, city ordinances, state and national crime information centerprocedures, and department standard operating procedures. These guidelines aregenerally clear and specific, but may require some interpretation.

COMPLEXITY: This position consists of technicaldispatching duties. The need to respond quickly to emergency situationscontributes to the complexity of the work.

SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position isto receive incoming calls and dispatch the appropriate emergency ornon-emergency personnel. Successful performance helps ensure the protection oflife and property.

PERSONAL CONTACTS: Contacts are typically withco-workers, other city and state employees, representatives of other publicsafety agencies, representatives of service and support agencies, and thegeneral public.

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically toexchange information, provide services, and resolve problems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is typically performed while sitting, walking, bending, crouching, stooping and the employee lifts light objects, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, and distinguishes between shades of color.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is typically performed in an office environment.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY: None.

CERTIFICATIONS: The following is a list of certifications needed within the first 12 months of obtaining employment.

• Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification
• CPR Certification
• Complete Basic 911 Operator School
• NCIC Certification

QUALIFICATIONS: Must have a high school diploma or GED, good typing skills, ability to remain calm in stressful situations, ability to multi-task & must have good communication & public relations skills. Knowledge of public safety preferred, but not required. Computer knowledge is helpful. Applicants must pass a written exam and a hearing test, pre-employment drug screening & background check. Successful applicants must meet the following rule:

2:05:01:02. Felons to be rejected -- Misdemeanants to bereviewed. No person may be employed or certified if that person has pled guilty or no contest to, or been convicted of, any offense which could have resulted in incarceration for more than one year. Any person who has pled guilty or no contest to, or been convicted of, an offense with a maximum penalty that could have resulted in incarceration of one year or less remains eligible for employment or certification unless the plea or conviction when considered along with the seriousness of the offense, time elapsed since the offense was committed, the person's conduct since the offense was committed, or other pertinent information indicates that the person should not be hired or certified.

Source: 25 SDR 124, effective April 8, 1999; 27 SDR 63, effective January 2, 2001.

General Authority: SDCL 34-45-26, 34-45-29.

Law Implemented: SDCL 34-45-24, 34-45-29.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS: Must have a high school diploma or GED, computer knowledge and good typing skills, ability to remain calm in stressful situations, ability to multi-task & must have good communication & public relations skills. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and multitask several items at one time. Knowledge of public safety preferred, but not required. Applicants must pass a written exam and a hearing test, pre-employment drug screening & background check.

Category All City of Pierre positions Status Open Salary $24.59 minimum plus comprehensive benefit package including 100% employer paid employee health, dental and life insurance along with a 6% employer match to the South Dakota Retirement System and 12 paid holidays. Up to $2000 annual educational assistance available. UP TO A $3,000 SIGNING BONUS Posted May 27, 2025 Closing Open Until Filled