Communications Officer - Dispatch - Baldwin County Sheriff's Office

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for performing skilled work processing emergency and non-emergency calls received via radio and telephone. Work involves dispatching law enforcement and other emergency units by radio in response to requests for service, providing confidential criminal history data through a computer system, maintaining the status and location of mobile units and personnel. Work is reviewed for timeliness of response, appropriateness of response and adherence to established procedures and priorities.

JOB LOCATIONS

• Communications Office, Robertsdale, AL

WORKING  CONDITIONS

Works in enclosed spaces for extended periods of time. Work is in an office setting, which requires long periods of sitting. Work involves being able to use multiple electronic devices at one time. Works in a mentally stressful environment. Work includes rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and may require unforeseen overtime.

• Receive incoming telephone or alarm system calls regarding emergency and non-emergency police information and after hours calls for departments within the Sheriff's Office.

• Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.

• Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.

• Record details of calls, dispatches and messages.

• Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals and groups requiring notification.

• Scan status charts and computer screens, contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch.

• Dispatch units available by radio in response to requests for services according to established priorities and procedures.

• Provides radio service to all mobile units.

• Observe alarm registers and scan maps to determine whether a specific emergency is in the dispatch service area.

• Enter, update and retrieve information from teletype networks and computerized data systems regarding such things as wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration and stolen vehicles.

• Maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials.

• Maintain files of information relating to emergency calls such as personnel rosters, and emergency call-out and pager files.

• Provides criminal history information, vehicle information and driver's license information.

• Work includes rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and may require unforeseen overtime.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Attend training as required.

• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with a qualified disability to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

The work is generally sedentary to light and may require exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Crouching: Bending the body downwards and forward by bending leg and spine

• Dexterity: Primarily with fingers and in picking, pinching or typing

• Grasping: Applying pressure with the whole hand

• Handling: Picking, holding or otherwise working with the whole hand

• Lifting: Ability to lift and move objects

• Reaching: Ability to frequently extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

• Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions

• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers

• Speaking/Talking: Ability to communicate clearly, accurately, and concisely though speech

• Hearing: Ability to hear and understand at normal speaking levels with or without correction

• Visual Acuity: Ability to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer screen/terminal; and/or extensive reading, with or without correction

• Required: High school diploma or GED; Must be able to obtain and maintain communication certification; Must be willing to work overtime and non-standard hours.

• Preferred: One-year public safety communication/dispatch experience

• Knowledge of the geography of Baldwin County or the ability to learn it within 6 months.

• Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, and interrelationships

• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing service to the public, including needs assessment and satisfactory response to meet their needs.

• Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

• Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures and strategies to promote effective local, state or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property and institutions.

• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, arithmetic and modern office practices and procedures

• Knowledge of administrative procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, transcription and other office procedures and terminology.

• Knowledge of media production, communication and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform via written, oral and visual media.

• Skill in giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Skill in identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

• Skill in receiving and relaying information through online computer systems.

• Skill in communicating effectively with persons in difficult, life threatening and other emergency situations.

• Ability to read a map.

• Ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

• Ability to speak clearly and communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

• Ability to understand voice(s) enhanced through electronic devices such as radio and telephone systems.

• Ability to listen to and understand information then relay information or orders to proper officials in a clear and precise manner.

• Ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

• Ability to exercise a high degree of good judgment and independence while evaluating emergency and non-emergency situations.

• Ability to make split-second decisions.

• Ability to multi-task, gather and disseminate information clearly, accurately and rapidly in urgent situations.

• Ability to operate multiple systems, programs and/or screens at one time.

• Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations.

• Ability to calm irate and hysterical persons.

• Ability to work rotating shifts including weekends, holidays, and may require unforeseen overtime.