Communications Specialist (Police Dispatcher)
CITY OF GREENBELT*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 …