Public Safety Communication Officer

Our employees uphold and promote the mission, vision, and core values of the City of Jacksonville Beach. To be successful, an individual must be able to perform the essential functions of the job and demonstrate a strong desire to be a part of our EPIC Team:

Empowerment Pride Integrity Communication Teamwork

JOB SUMMARY AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This position performs responsible technical work dispatching law enforcement, fire rescue, ocean rescue, and other personnel and equipment, usually in response to emergency situations; does related work as required. Work is performed under the regular supervision of a Public Safety Communications Supervisor or patrol supervisor.

Essential Functions:

• Answers 9-1-1 calls from the public requesting police and emergency assistance.
• Processes calls for information purposes and non-emergency assistance.
• Dispatches police emergency calls in accordance with prescribed patterns and needs.
• Dispatches police personnel and/or equipment through the use of a computerized radio system and computerized aided dispatch system requiring voice communication and data entry simultaneously.
• Obtains information from a very diverse group of callers who are oftentimes distraught or emotional for the purpose of processing requests for emergency assistance.
• Records emergency incident response information and maintains the current status and state of Police emergency vehicles and equipment by use of computer aided dispatch program and/or manually.
• Monitors and responds to voice communications on multiple radio frequencies. Queries, interprets, and maintains information in the FCIC/NCIC databases and operates a high-speed teletype system.
• Coordinates emergency service response with other public safety agencies and/or surrounding counties.
• Operates office equipment necessary in the performance of this job.
• Maintains various records as applicable.
• Serves on standby and subject to recall as needed
• Required to respond and remain on duty during emergency operations
• Performs related tasks as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Education and Experience:

A high school diploma or equivalent.

Special Qualifications:

Must obtain FCIC/NCIC Operator Certificate and FDOH 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification within one year. Must have open availability and be able to work a rotating schedule, including varying shifts, days, nights, midnights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of techniques and procedures used in operating emergency communications equipment.
• Knowledge of customer service standards and best practices.
• Knowledge of the City’s geography.
• Knowledge of applicable FCIC/NCIC system and guidelines.
• Skill in operating emergency communications radio equipment.
• Skill in empathetic listening techniques.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and stressful working conditions during heavy workload and emergency related calls.
• Ability to prepare oral and written reports.
• Ability to handle confrontations constructively.
• Ability to speak English rapidly, clearly and concisely.
• Ability to maintain control of conversations under stressful situations.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to exercise judgment and initiative in dispatching emergency calls and other requests.
• Ability to dispatch and handle emergency calls on a continuous basis under time constraints.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to read computer screens for extended periods.
• Ability to hear under adverse conditions.
• Ability to write English legibly and rapidly.
• Ability to learn and recall signals, codes and computer commands.
• Ability to simultaneously communicate, interpret communication, and enter data into a computer accurately.
• Ability to read and apply maps and GPS systems.
• Ability to follow instructions quickly.
• Ability to operate a two-way radio console and/or a multi-line telephone system while wearing a headset during entire work shift.

This position is part of the Qualification Advancement Program. To advance to Communications Officer II, an employee must complete two years of service as a Communications Officer I and hold both the FCIC/NCIC Operators Certification and the Florida Department of Health Emergency Communications Certification.

Physical Demands:

The work is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Manual Dexterity: Picking, pinching, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Vocal Communication: Required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing: Required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Visual Acuity: Required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER INFORMATION

The worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

Other Information:

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Jacksonville Beach and the employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.

The City of Jacksonville Beach provides veterans’ preference and priority in employment to eligible servicemembers, veterans, and certain spouses and family members under Chapter 295, Florida Statutes. Certain eligible servicemembers and veterans may qualify for a waiver of a postsecondary educational requirement. We encourage eligible applicants to apply and to indicate any claim for veterans’ preference in their application.