Public Safety Communications Specialist

WORKING FOR THE CITY OF MCKINNEY

Working for the City of McKinney is more than just a job; it’s a chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Proudly recognized on the Top Workplaces USA list by USA TODAY, our team is dedicated to making McKinney one of the best places to work, live, and raise a family. Join us and start making a difference today. 

OUR CORE VALUES

City of McKinney employees work hard and at a very fast pace.   However, we also look after and support one another.  All of us are guided by four employee-generated values – Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (RISE).  We are also supported by servant-based leaders who foster and support a healthy, family-oriented culture.  All new employees are expected to embrace and live by our core values and commit to helping us sustain our exceptional work environment as a high performance organization.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Under general supervision, receive and process requests for police, fire and emergency medical services in high stress situations; answer non-emergency and emergency 9-1-1 phone lines; dispatch and deploy public safety personnel to calls for service; operate various telecommunications equipment.  Ability to Work any assigned shift (days, evenings, nights), must be willing to work holidays, weekends and overtime, as needed for scheduling purposes.  Perform other assigned duties as required.

All qualified applicants will be notified of the testing details via e-mail and must have a current e-mail address. The computerized testing process evaluates typing, listening, reading and multitasking ability.

Applicants are not eligible to test if they have tested or failed any portion of the hiring process within the previous 6 months or if you do not meet the requirements of the new Tattoo Policy. (See tattoo policy below)

Personal history statements will be distributed following successful completion of the testing process.  The hiring process for candidates that complete all portions of the pre-employment screenings may take 1-4 months. (See details of the process below)

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES 

In order for us to continue to achieve our primary function of making McKinney a better place to live, work, and raise a family, we hold these expectations for all employees. 

• Learn and demonstrate an understanding of how team, department, and City goals are interconnected.
• Contribute to a positive work culture.
• Ability to assess his/her work performance or the work performance of the team.
• Contribute to the development of others and/or the working unit or overall organization.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team, to demonstrate team skills, and to perform a fair share of team responsibilities.
• Ability to continuously learn and develop through a mix of internal and external training opportunities, and if applicable, encourage subordinates to do the same.
  
  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Answer multi-line, 9-11 emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatches and deploys public safety personnel to calls for service.
• Simultaneously listen to and comprehend both telephone and radio traffic often under loud and stressful conditions. 
• Operate multi-channel public safety radio system.
• Assist with and record requests for police or fire and emergency medical services from the public and departmental personnel via telephone and radio utilizing a computer-aided dispatch system.
• Communicate effectively, courteously, and clearly in English, verbally and in writing; includes speaking distinctly, responding promptly, and hearing in the normal range to protect the safety of officers and the public.
• Communicates with hearing/speech-impaired citizens by operating specialized teletype device(s).
• Assign appropriate Public Safety personnel to routine and/or emergency calls for service utilizing a computer-aided dispatch system.  
• Provide pre-arrival medical instructions following department prescribed protocol with NAED compliance. 
• Document all activity, locations and statuses in the computer aided dispatch system for public safety personnel, quickly disseminating any additional information.
• Comprehend and apply city ordinances, policies and procedures.
• Monitors National Weather Service.  
• Operate City Emergency Warning System and notify key personnel and other agencies in emergency operation situations.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all documents, radio and phone transmissions and other sensitive information handled through the communications department.
• Adheres to assigned work schedule as outlined in city and department attendance policies and procedures.
• Drives to other City locations for meetings, etc. as required.         

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND BEHAVIORS

• Ability to embrace and embody the City’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (R.I.S.E.).
• Ability to communicate effectively with peers, supervisors, subordinates, and people to whom service is provided. 
• Ability to produce desired work outcomes, including quality, quantity, and timeliness.
• Ability to plan and organize work, time, and resources, and if applicable, that of subordinates.
• Speak clearly and precisely.
• Analyze and evaluate emergency situations and carry out effective course of action following prescribed procedures.
• Work well under pressure.
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Operate computer terminals for specialized access with various automated data banks.
• Work in a confined area for 8 hours and remain seated for long periods of time entering data into various computer systems on a constant basis.
• Simultaneously input, retrieve, and maintain information, reading from both computer screens and printouts, and operating multiple keyboards.
• Concentrate on assigned tasks through many distractions.
• Operate wide range of equipment, e.g. door monitors and locks, printers, voice recorder, intercoms, alarm panel, weather monitoring devices, television monitors, etc.
• Ability to consistently arrive at work on time.
• Ability to work holidays, weekends and nights as needed.
• Ability to be called in to work on short notice whenever emergent situations or weather require.
• Ability to work in a team environment; contribute as a team member and treat co-workers, subordinates and customers with respect.
• Build professional relationships with internal staff and customers.
• Offer flexibility and adaptability, especially during times of stress and change.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A high school diploma or GED, plus some experience in a high public contact/customer service area that required decision making and problem solving under stressful conditions. Prior experience in a multi-task environment involving data entry, phones, customer service, and/or radio communications.   

Lateral transfer opportunities for those with two (2) years of experience in any combination of Police, Fire, EMS, Military or other high-volume applicable dispatch environment.

Qualified applicants will be required to pass a Communications compatibility and skills testing modules which evaluate data entry/keyboarding speed (minimum 30wpm), multi-tasking, memory recall, map reading, numerical prioritization, reading comprehension, spelling, and sentence clarity.

Any work related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above Minimum Qualifications is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must obtain, Basic Telecommunicator and NCIC/TCIC or Full Access Operator plus Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) within one year from hire date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must pass a drug screen and background check, driving record check, polygraph, psychological assessment, and medical screen to include hearing test.
• Must have Class C Texas Driver’s License
• Be able to work various shifts including nights, holidays, and weekends.

DISQUALIFIERS – Criminal Background

• A class B conviction within the last 10 years
• A family violence conviction
• An incomplete or falsified Personal History Statement
• An incomplete or falsified application
• Conviction of any offense above a class B misdemeanor
• Currently on probation or under indictment for any criminal offense
• Discharge from the military under less than honorable conditions including:
  1. Any other characterization of service indicating bad character
  2. Bad conduct
  3. Dishonorable
  4. Other than honorable condition

DISQUALIFIERS – Drug Use

• Illegal use of any kind within three years prior to the date of the entrance exam.
• Any illegal use of PCP or LSD regardless of time.
• Any illegal use of a felony grade substance as defined in the Texas Penal Code or Health & Safety Code, within ten years prior to the date of the entrance exam.
• Extensive use of any illegal drug will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Factors considered are number of times, length of usage and lifestyle improvements.

DISQUALIFIERS – Driving Record

• Not able to obtain a class "C" Texas driver's license.Driver’s license is currently revoked or suspended.
• Any serious violation such as reckless driving, endangering the lives of others, racing, failing to stop and render aid, or negligent vehicular manslaughter within the past three years.
• Excessive standard moving violations such as speeding, reckless driving, disregarding a traffic control sign, failure to signal, failure to keep right, following to close, etc.

DISQUALIFIERS – Tattoos and/or Body Art that display the following:

• racism;
• sexism or sexually suggestive or explicit;
• obscenity or profane;
• gang or drug related;
• undermining City or department values;
• political in nature.

Note: Any tattoos visible while wearing a short sleeve uniform shirt are to be covered at all times while on-duty. This includes body art, intentional scarring, branding or body mutilation.

Tattoos on the following body areas are prohibited:

• neck
• head
• face
• ears
• hands and fingers*
• arms (except that which is covered)

Note: Tattoos on the fingers, such as a wedding band, may be acceptable after approval by the Police Chief.

Also Prohibited:

• Gauges (large holes in the ears);
• Pierced, split or forked tongue;
• Any foreign objects inserted under the skin on hands, neck, face and head; and/or
• Dental ornamentation (gold, platinum, silver or other veneer caps for the purpose of ornamentation) Teeth, whether natural, capped or veneered shall not be ornamented with designs, jewels, initials, etc.

APPLICANT PROCESSING

Phase 1 – Application review for minimum requirements

Phase 2 – Preliminary background screening and skills testing.

Preliminary Background Screening

Additional information to include full name, date of birth and government identification (ex: drivers license or identification card) will be required to test in secured areas of the Public Safety Building.

Skills Testing

The CritiCall Skills Test evaluates data entry/keyboarding speed, multi-tasking, memory recall, map reading, numerical prioritization, reading comprehension, spelling and sentence clarity. An overall score of 80% or above is required to proceed in the hiring process. If you do not pass this portion of testing, there will be no further processing, you may re-test after a six-month waiting period. After successful completion of the Skills testing, you will be given a Personal History Statement packet to complete and return within ten days.

Phase 3 – Background and Interview Process

After a background investigator reviews your personal history, you will go through the following steps below. The order is determined by needs and schedules. You will only move to the next step if you pass the previous step. This portion of the process can require 2-8 weeks for completion.

• Preliminary PHS review and interview
• Thorough background investigation
• 2-hour Observation in Communications
• Oral Review Board
• Interview with the Communications Manager
• Conditional Job Offer
• Polygraph examination
• Psychological examination
• Medical screening
• Final Job

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Once the application has been submitted, the Human Resources Department will contact all qualified applicants by email with details on the testing date, time and place. Make sure your application has a valid email address listed.

Once you have passed phase 2 requirements, you will need to provide copies of the following documents with your Personal History Statement, if they apply to you. Please do not submit originals as they will not be returned. If any applicable documents are missing, your application may be rejected.

• Birth certificate or adoption papers
• College Transcripts*
• Copy of driver's license
• Credit report and bankruptcy papers if applicable
• Divorce decree
• High School diploma or GED
• High School transcripts*
• Marriage license
• Military DD214
• Proof of motor vehicle insurance
• Recent photo
• Social Security card

*Contact each school attended and request a certified copy of your transcripts. Each must be in an envelope sealed by the school when submitted to the Department. Send them to:

McKinney Police Department

Attn: Communications Background Investigator

2200 Taylor Burk Dr.

McKinney, TX 75071

You will be required to provide copies of the above documents at the time your Personal History Statement is due. Please do not use originals, as they will not be returned.

SELECTION PROCESS

Submitted applications will be reviewed with emphasis placed on an individual's qualifications and overall experience in the areas directly related to the job function. The applicants who possess the potential to meet our needs will be invited for an interview. The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation and drug screening.

Expected Duration- The current external job posting will remain on the McKinney Website for the duration indicated on the posting. Upon closing the process to fill the position will begin immediately and is expected to take approximately six weeks.

Reapplication Process- All applicants who are not notified of a permanent disqualification may immediately re-apply for this position when posted by the City of McKinney.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Tasks involve exerting up to ten (10) pounds of force and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work takes place in a relatively safe, secure, and stable environment with periods where errors can lead to significant physical consequences.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed as of the date of preparation and approval.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position.  Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by management. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and all requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

The City of McKinney is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) committed to an alcohol / drug free workplace and to providing equal opportunities regardless of age, race, color, gender, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

Salary : $50,816 - $73,684