Communications Officer 1-3

DAF-Agriculture and Forestry; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay and great benefits

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry is seeking a Communications Officer in Baton Rouge to monitor field personnel by radio, prioritize incident responses, and operate the CAD system for dispatch. You will coordinate with Forestry Dispatch and support six districts while adhering to state civil service rules.

Requirements include six months of radio/administrative experience or equivalent training.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience in transmitting and receiving messages by radio or in administrative services; OR
• Six months of training in a business or clerical-related curriculum in a business school or technical institute; OR
• Fifteen semester hours of college training.

Responsibilities

• Participates in monitoring the location and status of field personnel by radio and dispatching additional personnel as needed.
• Receives, analyzes, prioritizes, and initiates response to incidents requiring immediate attention using the CAD system.
• Monitors and coordinates the statewide radio system and central communications console.
• Assists the public by researching, locating, printing and providing fire reports on request.
• Transmits messages based on information received via telephone and two-way radio to the appropriate personnel.
• Ensures proper procedures are followed in routine and emergency operations.
• Operates and maintains communications equipment and monthly reports.

Job description

Job #FOR-50679715-8.25.26-TW

This position is located within the Office of Forestry in Baton Rouge, La.

Ready to make a difference in protecting Louisiana's forests? Join the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry as a Communications Officer! If you're ready to step up, stand out, and help safeguard our forests, apply today and start your next adventure!

The Office of Forestry's primary responsibilities include suppressing timberland wildfires; promoting sound forest management practices, disseminating information; facilitating educational programs; producing reforestation seedlings; enforcing timber-related laws; investigating timber theft; and assisting community urban forestry programs. The Communications Officer manages and assists Forestry Dispatch in the completion of day-to-day activities. The Forestry Dispatch offers support to the six districts within Forestry. Supervision for this position is received from the Assistant Commissioner of Forestry.

Selected Core Competencies:

• Accepting Direction: The ability to be open and willing to follow guidance or instructions.
• Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
• Demonstrating Accountability: The ability to take ownership of actions, behaviors, performance, decisions, and outcomes.

Selected Preferred Competencies:

• Adapting to Change: The ability to demonstrate flexibility in thoughts, behaviors, and actions in response to evolving circumstances or unexpected change.
• Demonstrating Initiative: The ability to assess situations independently and take proactive steps to address them without being prompted or instructed by others.
• Displaying Professionalism: The ability to uphold workplace standards through consistent conduct, responsible communication, and consideration for others.
• Following Policies and Procedures: The ability to follow, reinforce, adapt, or develop policies and procedures to maintain compliance with federal and state legal requirements, State Civil Service rules, and organizational policies.
• Managing Time: The ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and allocate time to ensure timely completion of work goals.
• Solving Problems: The ability to identify root causes, analyze relevant data, and apply practical or innovative solutions to challenges.
• Thinking Strategically: The ability to anticipate trends, understand context, and align actions with long-term priorities.

Why Join Us?

• Enjoy competitive pay and great benefits
• Be part of a passionate, supportive team

LDAF cares about the well-being of its employees! We offer a fully employer-funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing valuable support and resources to help you and your household members thrive at work and at home. The EAP is also free for all members of your household.

• Six months of experience in transmitting and receiving messages by radio or in administrative services; OR
• Six months of training in a business or clerical-related curriculum in a business school or technical institute; OR
• Fifteen semester hours of college training.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

All persons appointed to this job will be required by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Louisiana State Police Terminal Operator Certification Program Guidelines to meet the terminal operator certification/re-certification requirement within six months of employment.

An applicant who has been convicted of a felony or who is under indictment on a felony charge will be disqualified until relief from the disabilities imposed by state and federal laws is granted.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

• Participates in monitoring the location and status of field personnel by radio on a regular basis and dispatching additional personnel to assist with handling certain situations, as needed.
• Receives, analyzes, prioritizes, and initiates response to incidents that require immediate attention. Maintains and operates a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.
• Monitors and coordinates the usage of a statewide radio system and utilizes all options and capabilities available in a central communications console.
• Assists the public by researching, locating, printing and providing fire reports when requested.
• Participates in receiving fire information by telephone and two-way radio, and transmitting messages based on this information to the appropriate personnel; participates in the receipt and transmittal of wildland fire information and handles communication requests from key personnel.
• Ensures that proper procedures are followed in routine and emergency operations.
• Performs routine checks on communications equipment including capabilities and options available in central communications radio consoles remain functional.
• Maintains and updates monthly reports as needed.
• Possesses technical knowledge of personal computer-based operations and operational design of a radio system.
• May operate Forestry's system at potentially life-threatening disasters sites. Notifies key personnel to ensure public safety in potentially life-threatening situations. May be required to be on 24-hour stand-by, with limited response time, during high alert incidents or natural disasters.

Other duties may be assigned.

Functional Requirements:

Moderate light lifting, 30 pounds with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds

Reaching above shoulders

Prolonged sitting at workstation

Occasional bending and/or kneeling

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Job Appointment (up to four years).

Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Communications Officer 1, 2, or 3, depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant(s).

Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

Louisiana is a State as a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Tiffany Waddell - HR Analyst

Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry

5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001

Baton Rouge, LA 70806