Communications Officer

This position is responsible for receiving and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls for service.  This position requires the ability to:

• Communicate verbally in a clear and effective manner;
• Handle multiple activities simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail;
• Remain calm and objective;
• Independently analyze situations and quickly identify appropriate action;
• Provide effective customer service;
• Work effectively with an ethnically and culturally diverse staff and community

Entry Level:

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED
• No prior experience or training is required
• Must be of sound moral character determined by a thorough background investigation

Entry Start:  $58,166.75

Lateral:

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED
• Must be of sound moral character determined by a thorough background investigation
• Two or more years of dispatch experience with related certifications

Lateral Start:  $61,075.09

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work is performed in an office environment with frequent interruptions, changes in the workflow and irregularities in the work schedule. Work shifts may include evenings, weekends and holidays; and hours during inclement weather and school closures. Job may involve making immediate decisions with insufficient data and requires the ability to evaluate changing events and decide on the appropriate course of action. Position involves sitting for extended periods of time while working at a computer terminal. Learned physical skill is required to perform keyboarding function. Position requires the ability to effectively communicate through oral and written mediums and adequate hearing and visual acuity to listen, relay information and monitor computer display terminal.

Benefits

The City of Takoma Park offers a generous benefit program to its staff. Below is a list of some of the benefits available.

• Participation in the Maryland State Retirement System (Civilian Staff)
• Participation in the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Paid medical, dental and vision coverage for full-time employees, based on plan option selected
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Life insurance up to $50,000
• Supplemental insurance program options
• Additional life insurance benefits through the Police Retirement and Maryland State Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick and personal leave
• Union representation
• Night differential pay
• Language pay

Major Duties/Essential Functions:

• Answers emergency and non-emergency calls; determines the nature of the call and takes appropriate action.
• Dispatches police units to emergency and non-emergency incident scenes; relays necessary information by radio or telephone.
• Maintains awareness of officer locations in order to dispatch calls appropriately.
• Checks for warrants on persons, vehicles, articles and guns; reviews reports for wanted subjects, vehicles, tags, guns, boats and missing persons.
• Assists in logging new warrants.
• Monitors equipment for functional performance; reports any malfunctions to appropriate personnel.
• Runs criminal history checks for investigative purposes.
• Performs related duties.

Guidelines

Guidelines include standard operating procedures and national and state crime information center rules. These guidelines are generally clear and specific, but may require some interpretation in application.

Complexity/Scope of Work

• The works consists of related administrative, customer service and police dispatch duties. The variety of circumstances encountered contributes to the complexity of the position.
• The purpose of this position is to dispatch emergency and non-emergency calls. Successful performance contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of department operations.

Material and Equipment Used

Computer

General office equipment

Radio console

Multi-line telephone

Our Careers Page is updated regularly.  Applications are accepted for available opportunities.  We look forward to receiving your application and wish you the best in your endeavor to serve the community.

To explore our current jobs, check out our Career Openings.