Communications Operator I

Cookeville; Cookeville (TN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Cookeville seeks a Communications Operator I to answer 911 calls, dispatch police units, and transmit messages by radio and telephone under potentially life‑threatening conditions.

Essential duties include monitoring systems, maintaining logs, and ensuring responder safety while handling multiple communications devices. Training and certification in telecommunication standards are required or will be pursued within six months of hire.

Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent is required.
• Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification and NCIC certification as required by the State of Tennessee or able to attain within six months of hire date.

Responsibilities

• Receives and dispatches radio transmissions to police units.
• Answers 911 calls and coordinates response with emergency services.
• Maintains NCIC? Warrants and related information; logs officer activity; operates CAD and radio equipment.

Skills

FCC radio rules

City street names

Radio equipment

Calm under pressure

Multiple device operation

Clear speech

Instruct others

Courteous communication

Follow instructions

Interagency communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification

NCIC certification

Job description

The position answers 911 calls and receives and transmits messages by radio and telephone, often under stressful conditions involving potentially life-threatening situations, to police personnel. In order to be considered for the position, applicants must sit for a written exam that will be administered at the Cookeville Police Department. Applicants will receive further instruction via email. If you possess a telecommunications course certificate in accordance with TN code annotated 7-86-205, you may be exempt from the exam. Contact HR at [phone]. This position must be able to work any shift.

• Position Title: Communications Operator I


• Pay Grade: G


• Department: Police


• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt


• Reports To: Shift Sergeant


• Safety Sensitive: Yes


• Position Supervises: No


• Date Approved: 02/2024


• On-call Required: No


• Date Revised: 04/2026

Job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required, and subject to change, as approved by the City Manager.

JOB SUMMARY:

Receives and transmit messages by radio and telephone often under stressful conditions involving potentially life-threatening situations.

Examples of work performed: receives and sends radio transmissions to police personnel; receives 911 calls and dispatches police units; forwards calls to the proper emergency services agency; logs complaint information on all incoming calls; monitors and dispatches units for incoming alarm calls and notifies residential or business owners of alarm call; maintains and operates all NCIC communications; maintains warrants and related information; operates personal computer and computer terminal; operates computer assisted dispatching software; checks on officers as often as necessary to ensure their safety and well-being; may assist with the training of newly hired communication operators; receives all calls coming into the Police Department before and after normal working hours and on holidays; maintains log of officer activity; assists public as needed; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission relating to radio use


• General knowledge of city street names and their location


• Knowledge of radio equipment and radio operations


• Ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations


• Ability to operate several pieces of communications equipment at the same time


• Ability to speak clearly and concisely


• Ability to instruct others in performance of responsibilities


• Ability to communicate in a courteous and effective manner with the public and co-workers


• Ability to take and follow both written and oral instructions


• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with other co-workers and the public

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A high school education or equivalent is required. Must possess or maintain the Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification and NCIC certification as required by the State of Tennessee or be able to attain within six months of hire date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Some experience as a communications operator in a military, law enforcement, or civilian position is preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical:

Essential functions of this position are predominantly sedentary in nature, using a variety of telecommunications devices to enter/retrieve electronic data. Employees in this class: are required to receive, read and/or hear, understand, then forward information via radio within a very brief amount of time; must be able to manipulate and use various equipment such as radios, computers, and other telecommunication devices; must have the ability to move to, locate, and retrieve and/or file documents that may be stored in cabinets of varying height.

Environmental:

Employees in this class must often respond quickly and calmly under very stressful conditions and must be able to work any shift. Work is performed in an office environment that can be noisy with multiple workstations and ongoing communication activity.

FULL-TIME BENEFITS SUMMARY:

• Medical


• Dental


• Vision


• Paid Life Insurance


• Health Savings Account


• Flexible Spending Account


• Voluntary Benefits


• Pension and 401k Retirement Savings


• Paid Holidays


• Paid Sick time – 8 hours/month


• Paid Vacation time – 8 hours/month

City of Cookeville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Hiring decisions are administered without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Qualified individuals with known disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the Human Resources division at [phone].

Successful applicants must pass a limited background check, pre-employment physical, and drug screen.