What are the responsibilities and job description for the SHERIFF'S OFFICE- CIVILIAN COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, TRAINEE position at County of El Paso, TX?
Minimum Qualifications
Acceptable Experience and Education
High school diploma or general education degree (GED)/some college courses preferred, with one (1) year of experience involving public contact. Some work experience in a public safety agency is desirable.
DESIRED: Experience in Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management Systems. Current TCLEOSE Telecommunication Certificate.
High school diploma or general education degree (GED)/some college courses preferred, with one (1) year of experience involving public contact. Some work experience in a public safety agency is desirable.
DESIRED: Experience in Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management Systems. Current TCLEOSE Telecommunication Certificate.
Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge of: Modern office practices, procedures and methods including computer keyboard operation; modern filing and indexing methods; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; Techniques for effective interpersonal communications. Strong knowledge in computer software in desirable.
Skill/Ability to: Learn the operation of the current computer system, telecommunications and radio communications equipment, and other software used by the Sheriff's office; including the 911 and TDD telephone; type at a speed of 32 words per minute from clear copy; learn and operate the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System and Records Management System (RMS) programs; learn the County streets, parks, major landmarks and City limits; think logically and act quickly; work under stress and maintain composure while performing several functions simultaneously; take appropriate action in stressful or emergency situations; extract critical information from incoming calls; determine law enforcement welfare from voice inflection; anticipate their personal needs for assistance; speak over the radio and telephone quickly and clearly; be easily understood and comprehend at the level required for the job; use courtesy, tact and firmness in dealing with the public; project a calm and reasoning demeanor while dealing with irate or emotionally distraught people; understand and carry out oral and written instructions precisely; maintain confidentiality of information; adapt quickly to a variety of personalities and situations; establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; read and interpret documents such as rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; speak effectively in English and Spanish; Pass a background investigation; Must be a U.S Citizen.
Typical Duties
Receives and responds to routine and emergency calls and dispatches the appropriate communications by means of telecommunication, computer, and radio equipment during the assigned shift.
Inputs calls-for-service into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System; updates the system with status of law enforcement or fire units and records activities during calls and forwards to the appropriate agency; evaluates the need to dispatch Law Enforcement, Fire, or Medical Personnel, by determining the exact nature of the incident and geographic location.
Obtains, interprets, classifies, and prioritizes pertinent information for business and non-emergency calls, regarding complaints, reports, and inquiries from the general public by telephone.
Operates, maintains and reports equipment malfunctions on a variety of communications equipment including radio consoles, data communication terminals, telephones and including and Teletype writer Device for the Deaf (TDD/TTY) workstation; computer printer/cartridge.
Provides information to law enforcement and fire personnel expeditiously; interprets and/or clarifies coded responses from various systems for law enforcement and fire personnel; contacts other agencies to coordinate public safety and/or mutual aid operations.
Maintains computer data and logs to include: long distance telephone calls, vehicle repossessions, and code watch reports.
Operates the Texas and National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS/NLETS) equipment which is linked to Austin, Texas. This enables the entry, removal and inquiry on stolen vehicles/articles, missing/wanted persons and vehicle registrations.
TCIC/NCIC (Texas Crimes Information Center/ National Crimes Information Center) hit confirmations, verifying local warrants, preparing and sending administrative messages via teletype, issue case numbers, modify records for validation purposes to ensure accuracy of all records entered for the El Paso County Sheriff's Office and other criminal justice agencies.
Dispatches appropriate units by radio, MCT (Mobile Computer Terminal) and/or E911 paging system and relays all necessary information concerning nature and location of the emergency; coordinates communications for multi-unit responses in emergencies, disasters, criminal situations or pursuits.
As directed contacts special teams, investigators, private citizens or supervisors;
Assists in maintaining records of call locations, nature of call, time of call, units dispatched and disposition of calls. As directed advises all units of all special broadcasts concerning wanted subjects within their jurisdictions.
Assists, prepares, codes, compiles, records and summarizes a variety of record data, documents, and items of special interest; updates information sources; distributes data and documents to appropriate personnel.
Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and
Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.
Other Important Duties*
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.
Work various shifts and weekends;
As members of the El Paso County Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.
Job Summary
The Civilian Communication Specialist, Trainee, while training for certification maintains communication between the Sheriff's Department personnel, the public, and other law enforcement and fire agencies; coordinates emergency and non-emergency response of law enforcement, fire and medical services to the community; while in training, receives and reports information by radio, computer, and telephone; performs a variety of duties including updating records and reports; and to perform other related duties as assigned.
Additional Information
Certificates and Licenses Required
National Crimes Information Center (NCIC) / Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) / Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) / National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) certification.
Crisis Communication Certification; Basic Telecommunications Certification; All courses must be passed, including a State Examination, within 1 year of hire which are provided in house.
A Telecommunicators License will be issued by TCOLE upon successful completion of the State Examination.
National Crimes Information Center (NCIC) / Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) / Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) / National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) certification.
Crisis Communication Certification; Basic Telecommunications Certification; All courses must be passed, including a State Examination, within 1 year of hire which are provided in house.
A Telecommunicators License will be issued by TCOLE upon successful completion of the State Examination.
El Paso County offers a very comprehensive benefit package (some benefits may not apply to part time or temporary employees) consisting of the following:
HOLIDAYS
16 holidays per year as recognized.
VACATION
Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 6 months of continuous service. Year to year carry-over accruals are limited to twice the employee's annual rate. Part-time employees accrue vacation at half the rate of full-time employees.
10 days (1 through less than 5 years of service)
15 days (5 through less than 15 years of service)
20 days (15 years of service or over)
SICK LEAVE
Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 3 months of full time service. Employees accrue 15 days of sick leave per year.
MISCELLANEOUS PAID LEAVES
Military Leave – 15 days of paid leave per fiscal year for active military service
Bereavement Leave – 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family members and 4 hours for other family members and friends.
MEDICAL HEALTH BENEFITS
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Employees may defer earnings, on a pre-tax basis, into a 457 deferred compensation program. This is an optional program.
LIFE INSURANCE
Full-time County employees are provided a basic life insurance benefit of $10,000 life insurance at no cost. Supplemental coverage is available for additional fees.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY
The Long-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period above 90 days.
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY
The Short-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period shorter than 90 days.
RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE
Employees who retire from the County are eligible to continue Health Insurance at the rate set by the El Paso County Risk Pool Board.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistance Program that provides a variety of counseling services.
SECTION 125 MEDICAL & DEPENDENT CARE PROGRAM
The section 125 program is optional for employees and provides a method to pay medical and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE REIMBURSEMENT
Reimbursement of $15 per month for 6 months of continuous gym usage.
HOLIDAYS
16 holidays per year as recognized.
VACATION
Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 6 months of continuous service. Year to year carry-over accruals are limited to twice the employee's annual rate. Part-time employees accrue vacation at half the rate of full-time employees.
10 days (1 through less than 5 years of service)
15 days (5 through less than 15 years of service)
20 days (15 years of service or over)
SICK LEAVE
Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 3 months of full time service. Employees accrue 15 days of sick leave per year.
MISCELLANEOUS PAID LEAVES
Military Leave – 15 days of paid leave per fiscal year for active military service
Bereavement Leave – 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family members and 4 hours for other family members and friends.
MEDICAL HEALTH BENEFITS
Plan Costs – Biweekly Rates
Effective January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025
Medical
Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP)
No Discounts
EE Only $5.34
EE & Spouse $145.30
EE & Children $101.93
EE & Family $238.07
2% Tobacco-Free Discount
EE Only - $5.24
EE & Spouse - $142.39
EE & Children - $99.89
EE & Family - $233.31
4% Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $5.14
EE & Spouse - $139.49
EE & Children - $97.85
EE & Family - $228.55
6% Tobacco-Free AND Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $5.04
EE & Spouse - $136.58
EE & Children - $95.81
EE & Family - $223.79
Core Plan
No Discounts
EE Only - $35.70
EE & Spouse - $226.41
EE & Children - $174.96
EE & Family - $358.61
2% Tobacco-Free Discount
EE Only - $34.98
EE & Spouse - $221.88
EE & Children - $171.46
EE & Family - $351.44
4% Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $34.26
EE & Spouse - $217.35
EE & Children -$167.96
EE & Family - $344.27
6% Tobacco-Free AND Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $33.56
EE & Spouse - $212.83
EE & Children - $164.46
EE & Family - $337.09
RETIREMENT
Retirement benefits are provided by the Texas County and District Retirement Fund (TCDRS). Regular employees become a member of TCDRS upon hire. All regular employees are required to contribute 7% to the retirement fund and the County matches 250% upon eligible retirements.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Employees may defer earnings, on a pre-tax basis, into a 457 deferred compensation program. This is an optional program.
LIFE INSURANCE
Full-time County employees are provided a basic life insurance benefit of $10,000 life insurance at no cost. Supplemental coverage is available for additional fees.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY
The Long-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period above 90 days.
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY
The Short-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period shorter than 90 days.
RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE
Employees who retire from the County are eligible to continue Health Insurance at the rate set by the El Paso County Risk Pool Board.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistance Program that provides a variety of counseling services.
SECTION 125 MEDICAL & DEPENDENT CARE PROGRAM
The section 125 program is optional for employees and provides a method to pay medical and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE REIMBURSEMENT
Reimbursement of $15 per month for 6 months of continuous gym usage.
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EdAP)
Reimbursement up to $2000 per calendar year for eligible education expenses.
EMPLOYEE FITNESS AND WELLNESS CENTER
The Employee Fitness and Wellness Center opened in October 2021 at the County Courthouse. The cost is $5 per employee per month.
Salary : $2,000
