Communications Officer

Location:

Hamilton County is one of Indiana’s fastest growing, highest educated and wealthiest counties in the state and the Midwest. Two-thirds of the workforce lives and works in the county - a percent that has remained constant since 2010. Hamilton County is continually recognized in rankings ranging from “Best Cities to Relocate To” and “Best City to Raise a Family” to “Healthiest County in Indiana” and “Happiest Suburbs in the Nation”. Come be a part of all Hamilton County has to offer as we work together to serve the citizens of Hamilton County.

Job Description:

POSITION: Communications Officer

DEPARTMENT: Communications

WORK SCHEDULE: As Assigned

STATUS: Full-time

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

HOURLY RATE: $27.9976 per hour

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Incumbent serves as Communications Officer for the Communications department, responsible for receiving emergency and non-emergency calls and taking appropriate action, maintaining various records.

DUTIES:

Receives emergency calls, gathers maximum amount of information in minimum amount of time, determines appropriate response, dispatches personnel accordingly, and maintains communication with callers until units arrive, including comforting emotionally distraught persons, and providing instructions.

Receives non-emergency calls, including determining nature of call, responding to inquiries, routing to appropriate person, or taking and forwarding detailed information. Coordinates various agencies/departments for continuous on-call service.

Monitors radio and Talk Group activities of various public safety agencies within the county and surrounding counties. Notifies and/or dispatches local emergency personnel as situations demand, using computer-aided dispatching system. Communicates with field units, assessing unit safety and need for backup, dispatching backup units and other emergency personnel as necessary.

Verifies, enters, maintains, documents and retrieves IDACS/NCIC information for law enforcement and related departments/agencies. Receives/transmits information pertaining to, but not limited to, criminal histories, driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, gun permits, runaways, missing persons, and stolen property.

Contacts state and local highway/street departments and various institutions of impending severe weather, such as schools and medical facilities.

Enters/maintains accurate computer records and of radio traffic calls, assigning unit(s), following up on disposition of call, and entering information into the Computer Aided Dispatch System.

As needed, contacts wrecker services for towing services, enters vehicle information into the Computer Aided Dispatch System.

On a regular basis contacts and works with other agencies in the county such as: utility companies, telephone companies, wireless phone companies, alarm companies, local, state, and federal agencies.

Responsible for maintaining their personal work email account, reviewing and communicating through email as necessary.

Assists in maintaining communications equipment, checking for proper operation and notifying Communications supervisor of problems.

Maintains current knowledge of county, including municipalities, subdivision, and streets. Assists in training new Dispatchers.

Attend in-service training as dictated by policy. Full-time personnel must complete a minimum of 12 hours of in-service per calendar year.

Performs related duties as assigned.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

A high school diploma or GED, and ability to acquire/maintain required certifications, IDACS/NCIC computer systems, CPR/ and emergency medical dispatch.

Ability to meet all department hiring and retention requirements, including incumbent not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the work place.

Practical knowledge of area law enforcement, EMS and fire service and ability to physically perform the essential duties of the position.

Ability to effectively listen, comprehend, and communicate with a wide variety of emergency personnel, departments, and agencies, and the public, during varied situations, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

Ability to receive and dispatch calls and take authoritative action as situations demand, including calmly and professionally obtaining appropriate information and taking control of hysterical, hostile, and/or uninformed individuals in stressful/emergency situations.

Thorough knowledge of the county, including streets, businesses and subdivisions, and ability to use and understand area maps, acronyms and codes.

Ability to work in a basement environment with no windows.

Ability to understand the operation of the 800 radio system including the 10-code system that is used with the radio system.

Ability to type with accuracy and properly use various equipment, including two-way radio with multiple talk groups, computers, printers, copier, fax machine, paper shredder.

Ability to work rapidly for long periods, work on several tasks at the same time, and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to condense large amounts of information into coherent typed remarks, and maintain detailed records as required.

Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions/directions, and appropriately respond to constructive criticism.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information/records according to state requirements.

Ability to work alone and with others in a team environment with minimum supervision, and maintain appropriate, respectful interrelationships with co-workers.

Ability to comply with all employer/department personnel policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to work irregular, weekend and/or evening hours, including holidays.

II. RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent performs standardized tasks according to well-established practices and procedures, making independent decisions and taking authoritative action in response to situational demands. Errors in decisions or work may not be readily detected through supervisory review, possibly resulting in endangerment or loss of life to emergency personnel or members of the public.

III. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers and a wide variety of emergency personnel, departments, and agencies, and members of the public, primarily for purposes of receiving and responding to calls, dispatching personnel, comforting emotionally distraught persons, providing instructions. Incumbent regularly engages in non-routine contact with callers requesting emergency assistance in situations that may jeopardize public safety.

Incumbent reports directly to Communications Shift Supervisor.

IV. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in a Communications center involving above average split-ear hearing, sitting/ operating a computer for long periods with little or no opportunity for breaks during shift, color perception, reaching, bending, close vision, handling/grasping/fingering objects, and frequent exposure to stressful situations associated with emergency requests for assistance. Incumbent regularly works extended, weekend and/or evening hours including holidays.

APPLICANT/EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The job description for the position of Communications Officer for the Communications Center describes the duties and responsibilities for employment in this position. I acknowledge that I have received this job description, and understand that it is not a contract of employment. I am responsible for reading this job description and complying with all job duties, requirements and responsibilities contained herein, and any subsequent revisions.

Hamilton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We participate in E-Verify.