Communications Officer (Certified)

City of Dothan; Dothan (AL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Dothan is seeking a Public Safety Communications Officer to handle emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch responders as needed.

Responsibilities include monitoring multiple radios, CAD and mapping systems, and providing pre-arrival instructions in line with dispatch guidelines. Qualified candidates will have APCO PST1, CPR, and NCIC/ACJIC certifications where applicable.

Qualifications

• Experience in emergency communications and dispatch operations.
• Certification in APCO PST1 and CPR preferred.
• ACJIC/NCIC access and policy knowledge required.

Responsibilities

• Answer emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch personnel.
• Provide pre-arrival instructions and maintain update with responders.
• Monitor radios, CAD, mapping, cameras, and other comms equipment.
• Coordinate with other agencies and process after-hours requests.

Skills

Emergency communications

APCO guidelines

Public safety dispatch

Interpersonal skills

Decision making under pressure

Education

APCO PST1

CPR certification

ACJIC/NCIC certification

Tools

CAD system

Radio systems

Mapping software

Job description

Description

Advertisement Closing Date - March 31, 2027

• Applications will be reviewed every 10 days.***
• Supporting Documents are required at the time of application submission.***

Work Schedule

6am - 6pm or 6pm - 6am

Work four days/Off three days.

This position is responsible for answering emergency and non-emergency calls and for dispatching appropriate personnel.

Major Duties

• Receives and screens incoming calls from the public and other user agencies; categorizes and prioritizes calls, including 911 calls.
• Determines and dispatches the appropriate emergency personnel to incident locations; provides emergency medical instructions to callers prior to the arrival of responders as needed.
• Receives and processes non-emergency calls; forwards to appropriate department; receives and processes after-hours complaints from the public.
• Inquires, retrieves, and monitors data from ACJIC/NCIC database; ensures compliance with rules and regulations; retrieves information related to outstanding warrants, criminal histories, driver histories, vehicle histories, etc.; disseminates information related to criminal histories, driver histories, terrorist threats, felon registration, sex offender registration, lost or stolen items, missing persons, etc.
• Maintains contact with emergency personnel in the field; provides information to responding units regarding location, directions, changes to circumstances, etc.; responds to information requests from responding units.
• Provides pre-arrival instructions to callers in compliance with Emergency Medical Dispatch guidelines.
• Coordinates assistance from other agencies and/or departments as requested, including contacting other agencies for response to specific situations.
• Operates telecommunications equipment, including radios, telephones, CAD, mapping systems, telecommunications devices, weather monitoring equipment, etc.
• Monitors and utilizes non-emergency radios as needed.
• Monitors security cameras.
• Performs related duties.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required By The Position

• Knowledge of emergency communications principles and practices.
• Knowledge of ACJIC/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 programs.
• Skill in making decisions in high pressure and emergency situations.
• Skill in public relations.
• Skill in interpersonal relations.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

Supervisory Controls

The Communications 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 results.

Guidelines

Guidelines include ACJIC/NCIC guidelines, state and federal regulations, HIPPA regulations, general orders, APCO policies training guidelines, medical controls, and city 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 participate in the receiving of emergency and non-emergency calls and in dispatching 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, other city personnel, representatives of other emergency services agencies, hospital and other medical personnel, representatives of a variety of external agencies, and the 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.
• The work is typically performed in a Communications Center.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility

None.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from a standard senior high school or GED equivalent, as recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); and
• Must be at least 19 years of age; and
• Two (2) years work experience as a Police, Fire, EMS and E911 dispatcher; or
• One (1) year current continuous experience as a Public Safety Calltaker with the City of Dothan in the Communications Officer progression; and
• Possession of current certification in Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Public Safety Telecommunicator I (PST1) course (40 hours initial course) or other state and/or agency equivalent certification; and
• Possession of current certification in American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Course or American Red Cross equivalent; and
• Possession of current certification in National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC) certification or other state equivalent certification in the use of the Criminal Justice Information Center and the FBI National Crime Information Center systems.
• Possession of current certification in Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Course (32 hours initial course, 12 hours annual recertification) preferred.
• Possession of current certification in Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Communications Training Officer (CTO) Course (32 hours initial course, 12 hours annual rec