Description

The Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a six-time National Recreational and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner, is seeking an experienced Lead Park Police Dispatcher to work with the Montgomery County Department of Parks, Park Police Division in Silver Spring, MD. Behind the vast and diverse Montgomery Parks system that hosts 420 parks across 37,110 acres, there is a robust team within the Park Police Division dedicated to protecting the park system and residents of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Under direction, the Lead Park Police Dispatcher leads, coordinates, and monitors the work of entry and senior level dispatchers in the 24/7 Park Police Public Safety Communications Center. Serves in a lead role by monitoring the daily operations and ensuring work is performed in accordance with established policies and procedures. Provides direction to staff on serious calls requiring emergency or Park Police assistance. Independently performs various types of analyses, processes, systems, and methods to solve a variety of conventional and non-standard problems. Demonstrates strong reliability, communication, and customer service skills to perform at an exceptional level. Work is expected to be accurate, timely and consistent with guidelines, and is evaluated in terms of quality, quantity, timeliness, teamwork, customer service, and other related factors.

Examples of Important Duties

• Provides leadership and coordination of daily activities for subordinate staff. Plans, schedules, and monitors the daily work program and special projects assigned to staff. Provides technical assistance to resolve problems. Participates in employee interviews/selections, performance evaluations and counseling. Recommends disciplinary actions as needed.
• Conducts on-going training to instruct staff on the use of current communications techniques, systems, and equipment. Trains new public safety communications technicians according to the communications field training and evaluation program (CFTEP) and documents progress on daily observations reports. Arranges appropriate training for required certification classes.
• Monitors and maintains radio contact and welfare status with Park Police Officers and park volunteers. Monitors officer locations and provides essential situational information to officers. Operates and monitors computer terminal and various computer systems (e.g., Maryland Inter-agency Law Enforcement System (MILES), National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)) to obtain information (e.g., criminal history, warrants, MVA data).
• Assists in developing and implementing operating policies, protocols, and procedures to provide direction to communication personnel. Participates in testing and recommends systems to be used by public safety communications technicians.
• Prepares and edits various documents including computer-aided design (CAD) database entries, directed reports, controls, memoranda, correspondence, and other related documents.
• Maintains records, files, and logs (e.g., Maryland Inter-agency Law Enforcement System (MILES), National Crime Information Center (NCIC), radio transmissions). Validates information in computer systems (e.g., MILES/NCIC). Conducts periodic inspections, ensuring efficient and effective operation of communications equipment. Assists with NCIC recertification for public safety communications technicians and officers.
• Maintains knowledge of the public safety communications field and evaluates new methods, technology, and programs through various literature review, conferences, and workshops, and participating in interagency committees.
• Successfully completes all required training and certifications associated with the position.

• Considerable knowledge of (1) public safety communications; (2) dispatching and radio operations; (3) federal, state, and county laws and procedures pertaining to public safety communications; (4) law enforcement; (5) geography of the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area*; and (6) Commission organization, policies, and procedures.*
• Knowledge of, and skill in assigning or reviewing tasks, setting the pace, and otherwise assisting the supervisor by performing group leader work.
• Skill in operation of (1) computer and applicable software and systems (e.g., VESTA 911, CAD, MILES, and NCIC); (2) communications equipment (e.g., two-way radio, multi-line telephone); (3) telecommunications system for receiving calls from people with disabilities (e.g., deaf, hard of hearing, speech impediments); (4) general office equipment (e.g., copier, scanner, fax); and (5) various security software (e.g., Avigilon, True Vision, SIMS, Mastermind, Lenel).
• Skill and ability to (1) hear/listen; (2) see/observe; (3) speak/communicate; (4) complete a proficiency exam or public safety communications training program; (5) calculate fractions, decimals, and percentages; (6) interpret legal terminology; (7) lead staff during serious incidents/sudden emergency situations; (8) organize work efficiently and effectively; (9) direct work of staff; (10) provide courteous service; (11) quickly receive and accurately record information using automated systems; (12) read a map and provide directions to citizens and officers; (13) perform multiple tasks simultaneously; (14) maintain confidentiality; (15) work independently and provide guidance to subordinate technicians and other staff.
• Skill in problem solving to select, organize and logically process relevant information (verbal, numerical or abstract) to solve a problem.
• Skill in communication to understand verbal and written information (including facts, descriptions, and ideas) and to explain such information so that others will understand. Examples include interpreting, reading, and writing technical reports and correspondence; effectively communicating with citizens from various backgrounds.
• Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with contacts in a professional, customer service-oriented manner; this includes skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and working as a member and leader of a team.

• Typically acquired or fully developed primarily after employment in this job class.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or a Certificate of General Educational Development (GED).
2. Four (4) years of responsible and progressively responsible professional and technical experience in law enforcement, public safety communications, or closely related field.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total four (4) years.
4. Good character (i.e., must pass background investigation).
5. Must have current Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) certification and National Crime Information Center (NCIC), CN1 certification at time of hire. If certifications are lapsed, then recertifications are obtained within three (3) months of employment.

Supplemental Information

Class/Specification: Lead Public Safety Communications Technician