Communications Specialist

The Communications Specialist works within the Frederick Police Department's Emergency Communications Center. S/he is responsible for receiving all emergency 911 calls and non-emergency calls made to the department and is responsible for providing dispatch services to the Police Department using a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system. Supervision is provided by a Communications Supervisor and/or Assistant Communications Supervisor. Technical or functional supervision may be provided by the Police Department sworn supervisor or Watch Commander in the absence of the Communications' supervisory staff. Specific training and guidance is received from the Communications Supervisory staff. Positions in this class are responsible for providing general instruction and on-the-job training to new dispatchers.

The Frederick Police Department Emergency Communications Center is hiring for the following positions:

• Communications Specialist I
  • Grade 3
  • $53,994 - $86,392

• Communications Specialist II
  • Grade 4
  • $58,044 - $92,871

• Communications Specialist III
  • Grade 5
  • $62,397 - $99,835

Special Considerations:
This is a civilian position located within the Frederick Police Department's Communications Section. Every Communications Dispatcher is responsible for all functions in communications, including call taking, dispatching, computer data entry, query, and retrieval, sometimes simultaneously. Work requires the exercise of initiative and independent judgment in implementing established work methods and procedures.

Must possess an excellent moral character and background that will withstand a comprehensive background investigation and subsequent polygraph(s).

Must possess an excellent moral character and background that will withstand a comprehensive background investigation and subsequent polygraph(s).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Using a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, receive emergency calls from the public requesting police or another emergency service
• Determine nature and location of the emergency, determine priorities, and dispatch police or other emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures
• Receive and process 911 emergency calls
• Maintain contact with all units on assignment
• Maintain status and location of police units
• Monitor video surveillance monitors located throughout headquarters
• Answer non-emergency calls for assistance
• Enter, update, and retrieve information from a variety of computer systems
• Receive requests for information regarding vehicular registration, driving records, and warrant information, and provide pertinent data
• Monitor several complex public safety radio frequencies
• Operate a variety of communications equipment, including radio consoles, telephones and computer systems.
• Arrange for tow trucks and public works emergency service or contact appropriate agencies
• Change recording tapes
• Perform a variety of record-keeping, filing, indexing, and other general clerical work
• Manually activate interior and exterior doors from the communications center
• Test and inspect the equipment as required
• Provide extensive instruction and on the job training to new employees
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality on all information received from all computer systems and phone calls
• Perform related duties as assigned
• Due to the unpredictable nature of emergency work, it is essential that incumbents assigned to this classification be capable of working hours beyond their assigned shifts.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE FOR LATERAL LEVEL COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST POSITION:

GRADE 6:

• US Citizen, at least 18 years of age
• Graduation from high school or GED required.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE FOR COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST II POSITION: (LATERAL EXPERIENCE)

GRADE 7:

• All requirements of entry-level Grade 6 and;
• 3 years of experience working in a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) with police dispatch experience preferred and;
• Previous experience as a Communications Training Officer or experience training PSAP employees.

DESIRED CERTIFICATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR BOTH:

• Industry certifications in emergency call-taking and/or dispatch
• International Academies of Emergency Dispatch certifications
• CJIS Certification or experience
• CN1 Certification for Maryland METERS

ADDITIONAL DESIRED SKILLS FOR BOTH COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST I AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST II (Communication,/Language; Mathematical; Computer; etc.)

Knowledge of:

• Principles of appropriate conflict resolution techniques
• Principles and procedures related to the operation of computer-aided dispatch systems
• Department General Orders and precedents pertaining to the dispatching of emergency equipment
• Standard radio and telephone communications receiving and transmitting equipment
• Standard broadcasting procedures and rules
• Operation of common radio dispatch equipment
• Public safety classification codes
• General knowledge of laws and ordinances to properly classify calls for service

Ability to:

• Train, coach, and provide detailed instructions and assistance to new dispatchers
• Comprehend and make inferences from written material
• Handle simultaneous events effectively
• Spell accurately
• Operate a computer-aided dispatch system, computer systems, and other office equipment quickly and accurately
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations
• Exercise independent judgment and work with a minimum of supervision
• Learn geographic features and streets of the City of Frederick
• Type at a speed necessary for adequate job performance
• Write clear and concise reports
• Speak clearly and precisely
• Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Maintain a high degree of emotional control
• Exercise empathy and sensitivity

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Work various shifts as assigned and be willing and available to work additional hours beyond her/his assigned shifts (due to the unpredictable and critical nature of the work), sometimes with little or no notice
• Operate a visual display terminal for extended periods of time, sometimes without the ability to move at will
• Position self in the course of work
• Occasionally lift and/or move less than 20 lbs. short distances
• Enter data into a keyboard device requiring continuous, repetitive arm and hand movement
• Reach with arms and hands
• Use visual acuity (with or without correction) for close vision and adjusting focus
• Use a variety of computers and communications equipment requiring coordinating movement of more than one limb simultaneously and making fine, highly-controlled muscular movements
• Express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word and engage in activities in which the employee must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly and/or quickly
• Perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction and to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound in order to hear alarms and other auditory warning devices
• Ability to function in work environment with moderate noise level from several sources creating constant activity