Police Communications Officer

Weekly Work Hours

Compensation Range

Hourly Rate

FLSA

Position Type

Job Summary

Responsible for a variety of first-responder duties primarily receiving & processing emergency and non-emergency calls from a variety of Dallas College sources, i.e., district telephones, cell phones, radios, etc., including outside law enforcement agencies and dispatching those calls to appropriate campus police and/or outside emergency response agencies.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to act as a first responder in processing emergency and non-emergency calls for service.

• Ability to think and act promptly in emergency, complex or difficult situations; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; take or suggest appropriate course of action.

• Effectively interpret laws and regulations, make decisions, maintain composure and work effectively under stressful conditions.

• Ability to deal with irrational situations where the outcome is unpredictable.

• Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully and with respect for others.

• Apply knowledge related to policies and procedures to determine course of action and stay up to date on best practices, incorporate knowledge into all work assignments and procedures.

• Ability to coordinate and direct numerous activities simultaneously without confusion; provide rapid response to Dallas College law enforcement or other emergency agencies, i.e., police, fire, ambulance.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse, multicultural Dallas College network community, internal and external to the district, including but not limited to students, staff, faculty and other law enforcement agencies.

• Able to multitask and adapt to changing work environments, work priorities and organizational needs.

• Possess strong problem-solving, analytical, time management and communication skills.

• Provide onsite technical support by preparing log sheets of all incoming and outgoing calls and radio traffic, Dallas College police reports and case numbers.

• Perform a variety of routine clerical duties to maintain official records of a dispatch center, i.e., enter, update, and retrieve information from computerized data system; maintain recorded details of telephone calls/radio dispatch communication and messages.

• Responsible for maintaining records and archives for Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System/National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS/NLETS) purposes.

• Effectively transmit instruction and information through clear and concise verbal communication.

• Maintain and protect the privacy and confidentiality of information and material.

• Strong knowledge and experience in providing effective customer service.

Physical Requirements

Physical capability to effectively use and operate various types of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to, computers, calculator, copier, and fax machine. May be required to lift or move materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Some crawling, reaching, handling, sitting, standing, pushing, bending, crawling and pulling. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with physical challenges to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Minimum Requirements

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.

• Successful completion of the TCOLE Basic Telecommunicator Course #1013 within the first year of employment.

• Successful completion of the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) training within the first year of employment

• Position may require working day shift, evening shift, graveyard shift and extended work hours to include weekends and holidays.

• Bilingual or multilingual preferred.

Related Experience Above Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of additional TLETS training

• One year of related experience

***Will be subject to a criminal background check. Some positions may be subject to a fingerprint check. ***

Key Responsibilities

• Daily maintenance of all routine and emergency "traffic" routed through the centralized police communications center; maintains the daily police dispatch duty roster.

• Receive incoming telephone calls regarding crimes, disturbances, fires, medical or police emergencies/non-emergency situations within the district and the general public.

• Dispatch police officers for intervention and/or assistance and other appropriate emergency response personnel and equipment,

• Relay daily emergency-related information such as street closings, power outages, campus closing, etc.

• Broadcast routine radio checks to on-duty police officers.

• Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.

• Perform a variety of routine clerical duties in maintaining official records of a dispatch center, i.e., enter, update, and retrieve information from computerized data system; maintain recorded details of telephone calls/radio dispatch communications and messages.

• Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites to officers and emergency response personnel or other law enforcement agencies.

• May maintain contact with caller until responders arrive.

• Obtain and relay information from the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) for person and vehicle information, i.e., stolen vehicles, vehicle registrations, traffic requests and criminal warrant checks on individuals.

• Receive and process requests from police officers for checks such as traffic violations, vehicle registration, warrants, missing children/persons, driver's license, Federal and State, "wanted persons" and stolen property via the FBI National Crime Information Center and Texas department of Public Safety (DPS)

• Monitor telephones, radios, emergency call boxes and alarms.

• Use interpersonal, communication and diplomacy skills to interact with individuals of different backgrounds withing the Dallas College community.

• Provide excellent customer service.

• Complete required Dallas College professional development training per academic year.

• Complete additional TLETS training may be required as the job progresses.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Incumbents may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Position requires regular and predictable attendance.

Since 1965, Dallas College, formerly Dallas County Community College District, has served more than three (3) million students. Comprising seven campuses located around the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we are one of the largest community college systems in the state of Texas. We strive to be a leader in the community college space, placing students at the center of everything we do.

Dallas College is committed to cultivating an environment of opportunity and belonging for all students and employees. We recognize that the Dallas College workforce, and the diverse talent that stems from it, is directly linked to our success. We are part of an equal opportunity system that provides education and employment opportunities without discrimination on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression,

veteran status, pregnancy or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, Dallas College will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.