Police Communications Operator

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

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Pennsylvania State Police is seeking a Police Communications Operator to join its mission-driven team. You will handle emergency and routine calls, gather details, prioritize incidents, and coordinate responses across radio, telephone, and computer systems.

Responsibilities include interagency coordination with municipal police, fire, EMS, and other services, maintaining incident records, and assisting the public.

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 or equivalent combination of experience and training.

Responsibilities

• Answer calls from the public and 911 operators, gather details, and prioritize incidents.
• Dispatch, relay information, and communicate with Troopers and other PCOs via radio, phone, and computer systems.
• Coordinate with municipal police, fire, EMS, and other services to provide incident details and request support.
• Use confidential databases to access and maintain incident information in electronic records.
• Answer administrative inquiries and assist the public as needed.

Skills

Two years experience

Two years in CAD/dispatch

Two years computer systems

Clear, firm voice

Education

60 college credits

Job description

THE POSITION

As a Police Communications Operator with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), you will be part of a mission-driven organization that supports public safety every day. This role works at the center of a fast-paced environment to ensure quick, accurate, and dependable communication during emergencies and for routine calls.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position is responsible for answering calls from the general public and county 911 operators regarding emergency and non-emergency police issues. It focuses on receiving, relaying, and maintaining vital information to help coordinate public safety responses and support statewide law enforcement operations. As a Police Communications Operator (PCO) for the Pennsylvania State Police, you will:

• Call Handling: Receive calls and question callers to gather details, determine response requirements, and assign relative priorities of incidents
• Incident Response: Dispatch, relay incident information, and communicate with Troopers and other PCOs regarding active incidents or concerns through radio, telephone, and computer systems
• Interagency Coordination: Contact municipal police, fire, ambulance, towing, PennDOT, and other services to provide incident details and request assistance and response
• Record Management: Utilize confidential databases to access, research, and maintain records; establish and maintain incident information in electronic record management systems
• Public Assistance: Respond to administrative inquiries and help visitors by offering information or arranging for a Trooper to meet them

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
• Work hours to be determined. Your schedule will include rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays, with a 30-minute lunch.
• 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.

Required Experience, Training & Eligibility

QUALIFICATIONS

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

• You 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.
• You 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.
• You 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

• 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.
• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

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.