Purpose of Position

The work of the Communications Officer involves responsibility to receive, screen, and respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service, dispatch appropriate personnel to emergency and non-emergency scenes, and for the protection of Officers and Responders. The position is that of a Communications Officer in a primary public safety answering point (PSAP) and dispatching of fire, law and medical emergencies to responding agencies. Simultaneously operating a multi-channel radio console and a multi-line telephone, while maintaining Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and other computer applications. Responsible for receiving, coordinating, and disseminating critical information from various sources and maintaining radio contact with responders to monitor response, progress and any needed support. Communications Officers must be able to exercise sound, independent judgement under stress. Work assignments can be general or specific and may include instructions from supervisor. Communications Officers must be able to work flexible schedules to include nights, weekends, holidays, special assignment etc. This work is directed under the Assistant Supervisor and Supervisor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

· Answers, evaluates and prioritizes emergency 911 calls from the public, communicating effectively with various callers to obtain complete information to determine location, urgency and nature of the emergency.

· Dispatches appropriate emergency response personnel to scene, instructing emergency personnel regarding scene circumstances and specific location information.

· Answers, evaluates, and prioritizes non-emergency calls from the public, communicating effectively with various callers to obtain critical information from callers to determine location, urgency and nature of the call.

· Dispatches appropriate response personnel to scene, instructing personnel regarding scene circumstances and specific location information using a multi-line telephone system.

· Retrieves information from local, state and national computer networks regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, restraining orders, criminal histories, parolees and other related information; relay information to responders in the field using a complex multi-frequency radio console.

· Operates computer terminals to enter, modify and retrieve data such as stolen and recovered property, towed and stolen vehicles, missing and unidentified persons, citations, field interviews, driver’s license and vehicle registration information and warrants on wanted persons; composes and transmits messages to other agencies.

· Enters, validates, and removes data and information from various local, statewide and national law enforcement computer systems, including the Records Management System (RMS), Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC); provides support to officers by gathering information from various computer systems including Department of Revenue, Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) and/or National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS).

· Greets and directs citizens and department visitors.

· Cleans recorders and changes tapes and printer paper; monitors equipment operation and reports malfunctions

· Maintains, inputs updates, transmits and queries information in Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management System (RMS)

· Notifies and dispatches Cameron Code Enforcement and Animal Control Officer(s) during business and after-hours callouts. Maintains an updated list of the Cameron animal tag records and Cameron utility listings.

· Reads/interprets maps for field personnel to assist with locating certain geographic areas using GeoLynx, city, county and Missouri maps by applying knowledge of the road systems and geography to provide appropriate and timely assistance.

· Monitors the security cameras and security doors inside and surrounding the Cameron Police Department, cameras surrounding Cameron parks; monitors the in-house fire and generator alarm systems.

· Monitors, receives, and responds to emergency texts to 911.

· Operates a complex Emergency Medical Dispatch system and provides pre-arrival instructions to callers.

· Monitors weather radar for watches and warning in reference to severe thunderstorms and tornados for the four-county area.

· Tests and operates emergency warning system.

· Maintains and assigns ambulance run numbers for emergency and non-emergency medical transfers.

· Maintains and updates in-house phone listings for the City of Cameron, Cameron Police Department, Cameron Fire Department, Cameron Ambulance District and local businesses.

· Maintains current and accurate training room schedule.

Additional Tasks and Responsibilities

While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the unit, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this position and may also be performed by other unit members.

· Frisks or pats down prisoners.

· Cleans and maintains the Communications Center and the Emergency Operations Center.

· Interprets maps.

· Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education or Experience Required

High school education or G.E.D.; six months to twelve months related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. General office experience with proficiency in computer systems and customer relations.

Preferred Education or Experience Required

One year to two years related experience and/or training; or Associate's Degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Telecommunicator or Dispatching experience.

Other Requirements – Certificates/Licensures

· Missouri Driver’s License.

· Emergency Medical Dispatch within one year.

· MULES certification and Basic 40 Hour Telecommunicator Course within six months of hire.

· No felony convictions or an unfavorable police record.

· Must be 18 years of age.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

· Ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality of information and documents.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

· Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

· Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

· Ability to analyze and categorize data and information in order to determine the relationship of the data with reference to established criteria/standards. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, assemble, copy and record and transcribe data and information. Ability to classify, compute and tabulate data.

· Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such as financial statements, technical operating manuals, statutes, procedures, guidelines and non-routine correspondence.

· Ability to communicate orally and in writing with emergency callers, law enforcement personnel, fire fighters, emergency medical response personnel and City employees.

· Ability to use functional reasoning in performing influence functions such as directing and controlling.

· Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in emergency situations involving the direction, control and planning of an entire program.

· Ability to operate equipment and machinery requiring simple but continuous adjustments such as computer terminal, typewriter, telephone, fax machine, computer printer, two-way radio, pager, paper shredder, photocopier, alarm system and tape recorder.

• Ability to pass drug screening and criminal background check.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.

Supervision

None.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, grasp, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Lifting, moving, pushing or pulling up to 10 pounds does not generally occur, but may occur when lifting boxes, books or paper. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus, and distance vision. Physical work consists of, but not limited to, sitting for long periods of time and using a computer.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is not regularly exposed to adverse conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The stress level associated with this position is average to above average when dealing with upset or distressed citizens and chaotic events. This position may work shifts, weekends, holidays, and nights. 100% of the work for this position is indoors.

The City of Cameron is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

I have read and understand the duties of this job description and, by signing below, I agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $38,691.00 per year

Benefits:

• 457(b)
• Dental insurance
• Dependent health insurance coverage
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift
• Overtime

Work Location: In person