Communications Officer - Sheriff

Denton County; Denton (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Denton County is seeking a Communications Officer responsible for emergency and non-emergency communications. This high-stress position requires focus and the ability to multitask effectively in critical situations.

The candidate will operate complex emergency communication systems, prioritize calls, and ensure timely dispatch of police, fire, and EMS units. Applicants must have a high school diploma, be at least 18 years old, and possess or be able to obtain a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement license.

This role demands punctual attendance and offers a chance to make a significant impact in public safety.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) license within one year of appointment.
• TCOLE approved Basic Telecommunicator course required within one year of assignment.
• Must be 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen.
• Valid driver's license needed, with Texas license within 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Operates emergency and non-emergency communication systems.
• Dispatches, monitors, and tracks multiple emergency units.
• Ensures compliance with Federal Communications Commission procedures.
• Maintains logs of services and information processed.

Skills

Multi-tasking ability

Effective communication

Familiarity with CAD

Time management

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Emergency communication systems

Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)

Job description

THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME ONCE A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.

The Communications Officer performs specialized radio and Communications work. This is a high-stress job that requires focus, engagement, and high performance in traumatic, emotionally charged, and life-threatening situations. Personnel in this position are directly responsible for adequately deploying and monitoring the status and locations of all on-duty Police/Fire/EMS units. These individuals must use approved system status management techniques, ensuring efficient and appropriate use of those resources. This position receives incoming non-emergency and emergency calls, prioritizes calls received, and relays information to appropriate field personnel via the available communications system. Due to this position being time-driven, applicants must possess the innate ability to perform several tasks simultaneously while maintaining a high level of accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Operates emergency and non-emergency communication systems; receives requests for service by telephone; obtains and relays necessary information efficiently and accurately; gives callers direction and instruction as necessary.
• Operates numerous highly technical computer systems including the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD); enters and retrieves information to and from various databases including TCIC/NCIC, Denton County computer systems, and a variety of local, regional, and state emergency response databases.
• Monitors state and national messages, requests, and transactions through TLETS/NLETS while ensuring compliance with Federal and State laws and department policies and procedures.
• Processes, forwards, and maintains records of information obtained or entered; maintains appropriate logs of services requested.
• Operates radio console consisting of numerous talk groups.
• Dispatches, monitors, and tracks multiple law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies.
• Ensures radio operations are conducted in accordance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) procedures and requirements.
• Monitors all radio traffic while simultaneously listening in the room for pre-alerts to incoming calls, pre-alerting units, and promptly putting units on scene to maintain system compliance.
• Ensures timely and accurate dispatching of units, utilizing appropriate system status management, CAD, Radio, and other tools.
• Regular and punctual attendance is required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) license within one year of their appointment (Tex. Occ. Code § 1701.301; 37 Tex. Admin. Code § 217.27) required.
• TCOLE approved Basic Telecommunicator course, Crisis Communications course, TDD/TTY for Telecommunicators and a TCOLE approved Field Training Course required within one year of assignment (Tex. Occ. Code § 1701.405; Tex. Occ. Code § 1701.352).
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license. Must be able to obtain a State of Texas driver’s license within 90 days.