Police Communications Operator

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking a Police Communications Operator for the Pennsylvania State Police. This role centers on receiving and transmitting critical information to support statewide law enforcement activities and public safety responses.

You will maintain steady communication with the public, troopers, and partner agencies, keep accurate incident records, and participate in training to prepare new operators.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience using two-way radio, multi-line telephone, or computer aided dispatch systems.
• Two years of experience using computer systems for entering, updating, and retrieving information.
• Completion of 60 college credits.
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Responsibilities

• Call Handling: Receive emergency and non-emergency requests and gather important information.
• Information Dispatch: Relay incident details to troopers and coordinate with outside agencies.
• Records Management: Maintain and update electronic incident information in designated systems.
• Administrative Support: Respond to general inquiries from the public regarding law enforcement services.
• Visitor Assistance: Greet station visitors, determine the reason for their visit, and provide guidance.
• Training Participation: Engage in structured communications training and assist in preparing new operators.

Education

Two years of college credits

Equivalent combination of experience and training

Tools

Two-way radio

Multi-line telephone

Computer aided dispatch (CAD) systems

Job description

Start a public safety career that depends on your quick thinking and decisive action! As a Police Communications Operator with the Pennsylvania State Police, you become the center point for important public safety communications. Your work helps guide the flow of information during everyday situations and urgent incidents. You will support emergency responses and provide valuable assistance to citizens across the Commonwealth. If you remain calm during challenging circumstances, we invite you to submit an application today.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This role focuses on receiving and transmitting critical information that supports statewide law enforcement activities. You will maintain steady communication with the public, troopers, and partner agencies while keeping accurate records of ongoing events. As a Police Communications Operator, you will perform the following duties:

• Call Handling: Receive emergency and non-emergency requests and gather important information
• Information Dispatch: Relay incident details to troopers and coordinate with outside agencies
• Records Management: Maintain and update electronic incident information in designated systems
• Administrative Support: Respond to general inquiries from the public regarding law enforcement services
• Visitor Assistance: Greet station visitors, determine the reason for their visit, and provide guidance
• Training Participation: Engage in structured communications training and assist in preparing new operators

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description .

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• You will be required to work rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• Two years of experience using two-way radio, multi-line telephone, or computer aided dispatch systems ; or
• Two years of experience using computer systems for entering, updating, and retrieving information ; or
• Completion of 60 college credits ; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Special Requirements

• All employees must possess a clear, firm voice and no major speech, hearing, or visual impairments that would interfere with understanding verbal communication, being understood, or using electronic communications equipment and visual display equipment.
• All employees must obtain an active Public Safety Telecommunicator certification issued by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials within the probationary period and maintain the same for the duration of employment in this job.
• All employees must obtain active Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) and Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET) certifications issued by the Pennsylvania State Police within the probationary period and maintain the same for the duration of employment in this job.

Additional Requirements

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.
• This job title has been identified as performing critical duties. Prior to placement in this job title, the selected candidate regardless of their current job, must submit a Report of Medications for screening by the State Police Medical Officer.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.