Communications Specialist (Police Dispatcher)

City of Greenbelt, Maryland; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Greenbelt, Maryland is seeking a Communications Specialist II to receive and process police calls, operate base radio and dispatch units. The role involves monitoring security cameras, maintaining records, and coordinating with public safety agencies.

Responsibilities include training new staff, handling emergency and non-emergency calls, and providing clerical support. The position requires a high school diploma and NIC certification, with ongoing opportunities in public safety

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• 1–2 years of progressively responsible experience; or any combination of education, training and experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• 2–4 years of progressively responsible experience; or any combination of education, training and experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• National Crime Information Center Certification is required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain constant radio contact with mobile units and update status.
• Receive emergency calls, determine priority, and dispatch units accordingly.
• Coordinate with other public safety agencies and relay information.
• Enter and retrieve crime-related information from computer/teletype networks.
• Monitor security cameras and perform general clerical duties.
• Train new Communications Specialists in duties and responsibilities.
• Provide service and assistance to the public at Headquarters.

Skills

Dispatching

Radio operation

Report writing

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Experience in public safety communications

Tools

Base radio system

Teletype

Computer terminals

Job description

• This shift for this position is 3pm-11pm*

• This shift for this position is 3pm-11pm*

JOB SUMMARY AND DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE WORK:

Receives, evaluates and processes calls for police assistance, operates base radio equipment to dispatch police units on police related incidents.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Maintains constant radio contact with mobile units by base radio. Maintains constant awareness of the status of mobile units and updates this information as it changes. Receives radio calls from field units and transmits messages via radio or telephone. Receives emergency calls requesting police or other emergency service, determines nature and location of emergency, determine priority and dispatches emergency units as necessary. Coordinates emergency calls and relays information and assistance requests involving other public safety agencies. Receives non-emergency and maintenance service calls for assistance. Enters, updates, and retrieves crime related information from computer and teletype networks. Monitors security cameras that overlook Police Headquarters, processing areas, and jail cells. Performs a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing, and other general clerical work. Maintains a variety of documents relating to public safety activities. Notifies allied agencies of misdirected phone calls for police service. Verifies wants and warrants and interprets data returned to the terminal. Monitors security camera in Roosevelt Center. Provides service to citizens who come to Headquarters for any request or complaint.

Additional Functions Of Communications Specialist II

Trains new Communications Specialists in job duties and responsibilities.

IMPORTANT JOB FUNCTIONS

Performs other related duties as assigned.

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED

Two-way Radio Security Camera Computer General Office Equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience

• Communications Specialist I
• High school diploma or equivalent; and,
• One to two years of progressively responsible experience; or, Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Communications Specialist II
• High school diploma or equivalent; and,
• Two to four years of progressively responsible experience: or,
• Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications

National Crime Information Center Certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of

Typewriter keyboard and current dispatching system. All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job. Department organization, standard operating guidelines and policies, rules, and regulations.

Skill in

Operating communications equipment (multi-button telephones, base radio, computer terminals and teletype equipment) quickly and accurately.

Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.

Communicating orally and in writing with internal staff, the general public, and other departmental staff in order to give and receive information in a courteous manner.

Operating and maintaining all assigned equipment required to perform the essential functions of the job.

Mental and Physical Abilities

Ability to speak with a clear, well-modulated voice in English by phone and radio dispatching equipment while tactfully communicating with highly emotional callers. Ability to learn and operate computer-aided dispatch equipment. Ability to comprehend and make inferences from material written in the English language and learns job-related material primarily through oral instruction, observation and structured lecture. Ability to enter data or information into a terminal, computer or other keyboard device. Ability to learn geographic areas including operating beats and their associated police problems. Ability to remain calm and exercise judgment in making decisions in emergency situations under heavy workload. Ability to determine priorities of emergencies. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a normal office environment with little exposure to outdoor temperatures or dirt and dust. The incumbent's working conditions are typically moderately quiet to loud.

*NOTE: This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.