Communications Officer

JACKSON COUNTY, GEORGIA

CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATION

CLASSIFICATION TITLE: COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION

The purpose of this classification is to receive, monitor and dispatch emergency and non-emergency calls and radio communications traffic for Police, Fire, EMS and Sheriff's Department throughout the County. Dispatches calls to appropriate area by radio.

Answers TDD phone. Documents radio traffic for departments including police departments, Code Enforcement's office, animal control, rescue, fire, med units, Coroner's office, life flight, and GSP as needed. Updates, maintains, and handles various related GCIC/NCIC matters.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Receives and responds to calls into the center; secures caller information including address, phone number, complainants name and nature of the call; dispatches emergency and non-emergency calls to appropriate area which may include law enforcement, fire, rescue, EMS and other public safety personnel using a radio system; answers and responds to TDD phone.

Provides callers with emergency medical instructions such as CPR, bleeding control, burn care, and other pre-arrival instructions.

Documents radio traffic for departments including police departments, Code Enforcement's office, animal control, rescue, fire, med units, Coroner's office, life flight, and GSP as needed.

Updates, maintains, and handles various related GCIC/NCIC matters; receives and responds to traffic stop information using system; processes and researches information regarding vehicle and drivers registration information, hit confirmation, running, checking and verifying criminal histories and driver histories, and other related requests; enters, inquires, locates, modifies, clears and cancels all warrants for persons, articles, vehicles, guns, boats, and securities for all police departments.

Performs follow-up tasks as needed; dispatches wrecker services as needed; sends units for back up; contacts life flight for emergency transport.

Handles other communication requests and needs for the department; contacts other Counties for assistance when required; contacts power company, phone company, water and sewer department, gas company, and cable as necessary; contacts DOT, road department, forestry and railroad; contacts GCIC and other communication companies for service problems and interruptions; contacts ATF, IAA, CDC, EMA, GBI, K-9 units, EPD, Fire Marshall and HazMat; contacts homeless, battered women, Red Cross, and other shelters as necessary; conferences language lines, poison control, DFACS and juvenile intake upon request.

Pages out non-emergency information including meetings, announcements and daily page tests; pages messages to specific departments or individuals as required.

Performs other departmental tasks; conducts monthly weather siren tests; tests weather radios in the schools on a weekly basis; provides information to visitors and non-emergency callers to the department; provides directions; monitors visitor traffic in and out of the center.

Operates various communication systems including radios, pagers, as well as various office equipment including a personal computer, copier, fax machine, and related equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Performs other related duties as required.

Flexible schedule - requires the ability to work any 12-hour shift, days of the week, nights, weekends, and holidays without restriction and oftentimes on short notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma or equivalent; any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must type 35 wpm.

Experience preferred but not required. Must have possession of or ability to readily obtain Georgia POST communications officer certification and GCIC/NCIC certification. Must possess and maintain valid driver's license.

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to determine, calculate, tabulate, or summarize data/information. Includes performing subsequent actions in relation to these computational operations.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to start, stop, operate and monitor the functioning of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference and descriptive data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form. Involves semi-routine standardized work with some latitude for independent judgment concerning choices of action.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving a variety of generally pre-defined duties which are often characterized by frequent change.

ADA COMPLIANCE

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Jackson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.