Emergency Communication Operator

City-of-Leander,-Texa; Leander (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Leander, Texas is seeking an entry-level Telecommunications Dispatcher to support day-to-day police department operations. The role requires handling public calls, prioritizing incidents, and maintaining critical communications between officers, stations, and external agencies.

Individuals will work varied shifts and must meet minimum education and certification requirements including a TCOLE certificate within 12 months.

Qualifications

• High school graduation or its equivalent.
• Must possess a basic level telecommunications operator certificate issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), within 12 months of appointment.
• Six months related experience.
• Knowledge of city and departmental policies and procedures.
• All appropriate city ordinances.
• Use and care of specialized equipment.
• Perform computer tasks effectively and maintain acceptable operational knowledge of standard software programs utilized by the department.
• Displays courtesy and sensitivity.
• Manages difficult or emotional customer situations.
• Exhibits good listening and comprehension.
• Keeps others adequately informed.
• Selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
• New employees must pass realistic scenario testing that includes a typing test.

Responsibilities

• Receives and evaluates calls from the public requesting police or animal service assistance, emergency and non-emergency.
• Inputs and transmits call information using computer-assisted dispatch system. Prioritize calls as they come in.
• Maintains radio and telephone link between officers and station, supervisors, emergency services and other law enforcement agencies to assist in safety.
• Assists officers by contacting other agencies for assistance.
• Shares information and work with other law enforcement agencies as directed.
• Maintains open lines of communication between agencies during high priority incidents.
• Enters, requests and modifies records in state and national computer databases (TLETS/TCIC/NCIC).
• Checks court records for wanted subjects.
• Performs general housekeeping of communications area.
• Maintains employee safety and security of police department.
• Assists officers by reviewing CAD calls, incident reports and social media for known associates, family, locations and numbers.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Education

High school graduation or equivalent

Job description

Performs entry level work. Ensures smooth operation of day-to-day telecommunications functions for the police department. Works under minimal supervision with minimal latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

• Employee is required to work different shifts.
• Receives and evaluates calls from the public requesting police or animal service assistance, of both emergency and non-emergency natures.
• Inputs and transmits call information using computer-assisted dispatch system. Properly prioritize calls as they come in.
• Maintains radio and telephone communication link between officers and station, supervisors, emergency services, and other law enforcement agencies to assist in employee safety. Helps officers by contacting other agencies for assistance.
• Shares information and work with other law enforcement agencies as directed and appropriate.
• Maintains open lines of communication between agencies during high priority incidents.
• Enters, requests and modifies records in state and national computer databases, TLETS/TCIC/NCIC in the standard format.
• Checks court records for wanted subjects.
• General housekeeping of communications area.
• Maintains employee safety at all times. Maintains safety and security of police department.
• Can assist officers find information by reviewing CAD calls, incident reports, and open-source social media for known associates, family, locations frequented and phone numbers.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• High school graduation or its equivalent.

Required Certificates and Licenses

• Must possess a basic level telecommunications operator certificate issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), within 12 months of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six months related experience.

• Knowledge of city and departmental policies and procedures.
• All appropriate city ordinances.
• Use and care of specialized equipment.
• Perform computer tasks effectively and maintain acceptable operational knowledge of standard software programs utilized by the department.
• Displays courtesy and sensitivity. Manages difficult or emotional customer situations. Exhibits good listening and comprehension. Keeps others adequately informed. Selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
• New employees must pass realistic scenario testing that includes a typing test.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to have normal speech, normal or corrected vision, and normal or corrected hearing; to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position.