Police Communications Operator

THE POSITION

Do you possess amazing communication skills? Would you like to use those communication skills in a challenging and rewarding career? The Pennsylvania State Police is seeking a dependable Police Communications Operator (PCO) with experience working in a fast-paced environment where priorities must be recognized and adjusted as needed. This position receives, transmits, maintains, and coordinates public safety information in support of PA State Police (PSP) law enforcement functions. If this opportunity sounds like it fits your skillset and interests, then apply today to see everything that an exciting career with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can offer you!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

As a PCO, you receive calls from the general public and from county 911 operators regarding emergency and non-emergency police issues. Your duties include questioning callers to gather details, determining response requirements, and assigning relative priorities of incidents. You also dispatch and relay incident information to responding troopers, contact municipal police, fire, ambulance, towing, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to provide incident details and request assistance and response. In addition, you communicate with troopers and other PCOs regarding active incidents or concerns.

Other responsibilities include utilizing various software programs to access, research, and maintain records and establishing and maintaining incident information in electronic record management systems.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40-hour work week

• Work hours are rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays, 30-minute lunch.

• The selected candidate must be available and willing to work rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays regardless of weather conditions and may be required to extend their shift due to operational needs.

• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $46,944 (before taxes).

• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years of experience using two-way radio, multi-line telephone, or computer aided dispatch systems; or

• Two years of experience using computer systems for entering, updating, and retrieving information; or

• Completion of 60 college credits; or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Special Requirements:

• All employees must possess a clear, firm voice and no major speech, hearing, or visual impairments that would interfere with understanding verbal communication, being understood, or using electronic communications equipment and visual display equipment.

• All employees must obtain an active Public Safety Telecommunicator certification issued by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials within the probationary period and maintain the same for the duration of employment in this job.

• All employees must obtain active Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance. Network (CLEAN) and Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET) certifications issued by the Pennsylvania State Police within the probationary period and maintain the same for the duration of employment in this job.

Additional Requirement:

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass criminal history and background investigations.

• This job title has been identified as performing critical duties. Prior to placement in this job title, the selected candidate regardless of their current job, must submit a Report of Medications for screening by the State Police Medical Officer.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning

We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance

We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture

We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks

Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

• Eligibility rules apply.

01

Do you possess a clear, firm voice and no major speech, hearing, or visual impairments that would interfere with understanding verbal communication, being understood, or using electronic communications equipment and visual display equipment?

• Yes

• No

02

How many years of full-time experience using two-way radio, multi-line telephone, or computer aided dispatch systems do you possess?

• 2 years or more

• 1 but less than 2 years

• Less than 1 year

• None

03

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

04

How many years of full-time experience using computer systems for entering, updating, and retrieving information do you possess?

• 2 years or more

• 1 but less than 2 years

• Less than 1 year

• None

05

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

06

How many semester credits of college coursework have you completed?

If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must also upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information.

• 60 credits or more

• 30 but less than 60 credits

• Less than 30 credits

• None

07

How many years of paraprofessional or technical experience do you possess?

• 2 years or more

• 1 but less than 2 years

• Less than 1 year

• None

08

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

Required Question

Agency Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Address 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120

Website http://www.employment.pa.gov