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Title: 310 - Emergency Communications Operator

Organization: Police: Administration

Department: Police Administration

Location: Police

Rate of Pay: $16.9740

Job Summary

The purpose of the class is to assist in emergencies by providing communications support and to dispatch emergency personnel in response to requests. The class is responsible for answering and monitoring emergency phone calls; collecting, entering, and relaying accurate and detailed information; dispatching emergency personnel; maintaining emergency reference materials. Maintaining logs and tapes, and maintaining equipment. The class works according to specific procedures; decides how and when to do things under general supervision.

Competencies

Effective Communications Skills
Ethical Practices
Good judgment
Compassion
High degree of emotional self-control
Empathy and sensitivity

Key Functions/Knowledge/Skills

• Answers emergency services phones, records essential information and dispatches units from appropriate agencies such as Police Department, Fire Department, or other emergency response activities.
• Answers/ responds to administrative phones, other communications devices, and citizen requests; decides on appropriate courses of action, dispatches assistance as required, or refers to appropriate service agency.
• Provides assistance to emergency services personnel by answering questions, researching information, or performing other services.
• Maintains various logs, charts, and recordings to provide records of all emergency and non-emergency actions for follow-up investigative, administrative, or legal actions.
• Operates/ maintains emergency and non-emergency equipment such as computers, printers, playback systems, CAD, and other systems.
• Maintains immediately available library of emergency reference material such as computer manuals, maps, repair logs, wrecker logs, policy/ procedure SOPs, policy memos and other reference material.
• Attends staff meetings to exchange information; attends in-service training and technical or professional classed, seminars, or conferences to improve technical or professional skills.
• Performs routine office tasks, such as typing, filing, faxing, phoning, and copying.
• More specialized skills in a particular type of work; knowledge of an extensive body of rules, procedures, or operations; specialized skills that may be technical or non-technical, such as research and analytical skills, composing non-routine documents and letters, ability to use software in complex applications, ability to operate complex equipment.
• Higher level of accuracy expected.
• Ability to make critical decisions that may involve life or death.

Minimum Education & Experience

High school graduation or GED plus one year of experience. Preferred specialized advanced training in telecommunications.

Special Certifications & Licenses

Must have or be able to obtain a Telecommunication License issued by Texas Commission On Law Enforcement (TCOLE) within the first year of employment.
Requires a valid Texas Driver's License.

Independence & Judgement

Noticeable judgment; must plan for long-term; must recognize and resolve problems and situations through appropriate means applying specific types of procedures to issues without indicated guidance or destination, addresses issues that need attention, etc.; involves freedom in selection of work methods among approved routines, setting of priorities, or sequencing of tasks within established schedules.

Initiative & Ingenuity

General guidelines: occasionally requires interpretation of available options to apply to non-standard situations; day-to-day work drives. Greater level of knowledge when applying guidelines and interpretation of available options to non-standard situations.

Supervisory & Responsibility

Does not supervise

Financial Responsibility

Does not deal with money

Level & Frequency of Outside Contact

Frequent contact with the public or other organizations; interactions may require obtaining cooperation of people; courtesy and tact are required when dealing with moderately difficult or sensitive issues.

Physical Demands

Office job with little or occasional light physical effort. Requires sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and routine keyboard operations.

Responsibility for Equipment & Property

Responsible for use of equipment/property such as office equipment, supplies, etc., which are used in office.

Working Conditions

Office job, no adverse conditions.

Other Requirements

The City of Brownsville requires all employees to successfully pass a Drug & Alcohol and a physical examination, psychological examination, and Background Check.

ADA Requirements

The City of Brownsville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

Benefits

The City of Brownsville offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support its employees' well-being and future. Employees participate in a robust retirement plan through the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) City to Employee Matching Ratio 2:1, with eligibility for retirement after 5 years of service at age 60 or 20 years of service at any age.

The City provides exceptional health benefits, including medical, dental, and life insurance plans for employees and their families, along with vision coverage for employees enrolled in health insurance through MetLife. Employees and their dependents can also access care at Frontier Clinic at no cost when covered by the City's health plan. Additionally, pet insurance is available as a voluntary benefit.

Employees have access to deferred compensation plans through Equitable and supplemental insurance options from AFLAC and Colonial Life. Full-time employees accrue 10 sick days and 15 vacation days annually.
The City offers parental leave concurrent with FMLA for eligible employees, longevity pay, and 100% tuition assistance up to $5,000 annually. Furthermore, Brownsville observes 14 holidays per year, plus two floating holidays, giving employees a balanced and rewarding work-life experience.

EEOC Statements

The City of Brownsville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.