Communications Officer

Summary Under general supervision, receives and dispatches calls and messages for Police, Fire and/or Emergency Medical Services. Maintains radio contact with mobile units and researches and verifies information requested by administrative/patrol staff. Enters collected information into the record management database application (Spillman). Communications Officers may be assigned to a day, swing, or graveyard shift on a regular rotational basis that includes working nights, weekends and holidays.

Benefits: vacation/personal sick leave, health benefits (medical/dental/vision),401k, short/long-term disability, 14 holidays

Wage offer will be based on experience and will not exceed the mid-point of the salary/wage range. Employees may progress through the full salary range subject to their successful performance and annual budget approval.

Minimum Qualifications High school diploma/GED required. Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to one year of work experience in Communications involving one or more the following areas: dispatching fire/emergency medical services or police; computer data entry; dealing with emergency calls; and/or office support work. Must be able to obtain an Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification within one year of hire. Must be able to obtain certification for Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS) within six months of hire. Must have a valid Arizona Driver's License and be able to meet the Community's insurance carrier requirements. Must successfully complete a background check.

Examples of Duties

• Answers and evaluates incoming calls (by phone or radio) for police or fire/emergency medical services. Determines the urgency of the call, sometimes within the first few seconds of conversation. Hears and understands radio transmissions, the clarity of which may be worsened by outside noise at the scene, background noise at the dispatch center, radio interference from outside sources, and field personnel not speaking clearly or loudly enough.
• Remembers details, departmental procedures and applies them in emergency situations. Makes sound decisions and quickly reacts positively under stressful conditions which may involve the life, well being of a Community member, or a public safety member who is in danger.
• Enters, modifies, updates and retrieves information from our Spillman Database, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), and Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS).
• Responds to inquires from the public by providing such information as the phone numbers and local department information appropriate to their need, general information regarding traffic tickets, incidents, and accident reports and the responsible officer.
• Monitors the alarm system board; when the alarm system is activated, contacts or locates a responsible person or available employee to respond by securing the building and resetting the alarm; or advise of the situation that activated the alarm.
• Contacts or assists in contacting on call personnel/other agencies such as Ak-Chin Housing, Ak-Chin Maintenance, ED3 electrical services, Southwest Gas, medical air evacuation provider, and Child Protective Services.
• Maintains reference materials and keeps informed of basic laws, codes, ordinances, department regulations, polices procedures, organizational structures and functions.
• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.
• Follows written and verbal instructions.

Other Requirements

• Knowledge of the history, culture, laws, rules, customs and traditions of the AK-Chin Indian Community.
• Knowledge of the names and locations of homes, streets and business in Ak-Chin and the surrounding area.
• Knowledge of 911 emergency dispatch policies and practices.
• Knowledge of general Ak-Chin Indian Community Police Department operations.
• Knowledge of English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of general office procedures and practices, including file maintenance and recordkeeping.
• Knowledge of police, medical, and fire codes and related jargon.
• Ability to cope with emotionally tense situations.
• Ability to perform several tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work under pressure, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to distinguish between emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Skill in remembering details and making decisions under stressful conditions.
• Skill in operating communications equipment (multi-line telephones, radio, computer terminals, teletype equipment) quickly and accurately.
• Skill in remaining calm and calming others in emergency situations so that necessary information related to the emergency can be obtained and relayed.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, State, Federal, and other local law enforcement officers, fire/emergency response staff, and the public.

Ak-Chin Indian Community Benefit Information