Police Communications Officer

Description Position Summary: The purpose of this position is to perform a variety of skilled technical, administrative and office support tasks, in a fast-paced office setting, related to the Police communications function; under direct supervision of the Administrative Division Supervisor and/or other supervisory staff and may receive technical and functional supervision from other administrative or professional personnel.
Position Scope: This is a Law Enforcement Support Group position and Essential Personnel position, which may require work after-hours, weekends, and/or during a declared state of emergency.
Duties include customer service, telephone answering, monitoring of radios, typing, word processing, data entry record keeping, filing, and front desk reception and may require the ability to perform difficult and complex clerical and administrative support work using some independent judgment.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
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Illustrative Examples of Essential Duties This is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities.
Incumbent(s) may be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.
Monitors several radio frequencies; responds to Police Officer requests as soon as possible ensuring that Police Officer safety is a priority; maintains awareness of the City location of four to seven on duty officers in the field at any given time and up to twenty Officers during holidays and special events.
Responds in timely manner to a multilane telephone and TDD telephone ensuring to identify the origination location of the call, who is making the call and then what the need and/or validity of the caller is prior to dispatching an Officer(s); records all calls; answers calls with appropriate sequenced questions and directs calls appropriately; keeps supervisor informed of calls and dispatches.
Monitors three computers for Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC/NCIC), the local Dade County computer, and the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) confirms that all Officers are in FCIC and local Dade County computers; logs entries accurately into FCIC for wanted or missing people, stolen or missing items or guns, and restraining orders; keeps FCIC printer supplied with paper and ribbons; updates WIS System in county computer with Officers' schedules; enters, and maintains, all calls in the CAD system.
Responds to walk-ins; receives and timestamps subpoenas; checks facsimile machine for correspondence; covers for other Dispatchers as requested and/or required; works a rotating shift as requested or required; maintains various logs; accurately prepares and submits timesheet in a timely manner; notifies supervisor of call-ins and assists in finding replacements for essential employees.
Maintains desk worksheets and other official reports and documents.
Checks to ensure all equipment used is in working order.
Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other employees, and the public using principles of good customer service; promotes and represents the City to the public in a friendly, helpful, and professional manner.
Identifies and/or recommends cost control measures in the delivery of all services and functions in his/her department and under his/her area of responsibility.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Ability to learn and use TDD, multi-line telephone, and radios; Good knowledge of office practices and procedures including filing and basic record keeping.
Good knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment including word processing and computer equipment, copiers, fax machines and printers.
Good knowledge of English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Good knowledge of business letter writing and typing formats.
Good knowledge of basic mathematics.
Good organizational skills; good listening skills.
Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide; ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form; ability to follow instruction/direction/ ability to be a team player; ability to interact with others effectively in a professional, courteous and diplomatic manner; ability to remain calm in high stress situations and to remain in control; ability to use sound judgment and make decisions quickly.
Ability to read, speak clearly, and write in English; ability to read, speak, and write in Spanish and/or other languages preferable, for some positions in this class; ability to work various shifts.
Ability to learn and use FCIC/NCIC, Local County computer, and CAD; good knowledge of personal computers with working knowledge of Microsoft Office Word and Excel.
Minimum Requirements Required Education & Experience: High school diploma or general education degree (GED) supplemented by one (1) year full-time customer service experience.
Police or Public Safety Dispatcher preferred.
Licenses and/or Certifications: Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC), National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and State of Florida 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator certification required within 90 days of employment.
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions: The essential job functions of this position will require the employee to perform the following physical activities.
Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis: On a continuous basis, sit at desk and/or stand at for long periods of time.
Frequently required to walk.
Frequently required to see, hear and talk with the public; read presented documents, write or use keyboard to communicate through written means.
On occasion required to drive a vehicle, to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, taste, or smell.
Intermittently twist and reach; lift or carry weight regularly of 10 pounds and on occasion weight of up to 30 pounds.
Specific vision requirements include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Additional Information: There is a one-year probationary period.
It is the responsibility of the incumbent to maintain their licenses and/or certifications as a job requirement.
Health InsuranceThe City has a three tiered stipend plan to help offset the cost of employee health insurance coverage.
The three tiers are as follows: Opt Out – Employees opting out of the City's health insurance plan receive $550 contribution, pro-rated semi-monthly.
Only employees who provide proof they are enrolled in a creditable coverage insurance plan or Medicare may "opt-out" of the City's health insurance plan.
The City reserves the right to verify coverage, request additional information, deny, or cancel this benefit at anytime.
Single Coverage – Employees choosing single coverage receive a contribution of $814.
60 monthly, pro-rated semi-monthly.
Dependent Coverage – Employees choosing dependent coverage receive a monthly contribution amount of $1,183.
92 if enrolling with employee + child(ren) coverage, $1,261.
40 if enrolling with employee + spouse coverage, or $1,5633.
48 if enrolling with family coverage, pro-rated semi-monthly.
If the dollar amount of the coverage selected is less than the amount allowed, the employee receives the difference, prorated semi-monthly, Likewise if the dollar amount of the insurance coverage selected exceeds the allowed amount, the employee pays the difference, pro-rated semi-monthly, The City will deduct all applicable taxes.
Currently the City offers two health insurance plans through Cigna as follows: High Option OAP – Standard Insurance Plan Low Option OAPIN – Lower tiered insurance plan with higher deductibles and co-payments.
Dental and Vision InsuranceThe City pays 100% of the cost for employee coverage for dental DHMO plan and the vision plan and 50% of the cost for dependent coverage for dental DHMO plan and the vision plan.
Dental and vision insurance are mandatory for employees.
The City offers a DHMO dental plan through Cigna.
A PPO Dental plan is available as an upgraded option.
The City offers a PPO vision plan through EyeMed.
Life InsuranceThe City provides group term life insurance coverage for employees as follows: · General Employees – One times the amount of employee's annual salary or $25,000, whichever is greater.
· Department Heads - Two times the amount of employee's annual salary.
Long Term Disability The City provides each employee with long term disability insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance at no cost.
Workers CompensationThe City may provide full salary to employees injured on the job for a period of up to 13 weeks, (in lieu of the 2/3 salary offered by the state).
Thereafter, employees must seek supplemental pay through the City provided Long-Term Disability Plan.
Cafeteria PlanThe City offers employees optional pre-tax insurance plans (Section 125) through AFLAC.
Plans include cancer insurance, short-term disability insurance, and more.
Also offered is a Flexible Spending Account, which can be used to put money aside, pre-tax, for planned medical/dental expenses, and for childcare expenses.
RetirementEmployees are automatically enrolled in one of two retirement plans, depending upon hire date and position.
The plans are as follows: Florida Retirement System ("FRS"): Under this plan, employees and the City make a contribution to the retirement plan in an amount specified according to the employee's classification.
The current contribution rates are as follows: ClassEmployee ContributionRateCity ContributionRateTotal Contribution Rate Regular Class:3.
00%13.
57%16.
57% Special Risk Class:3.
00%32.
67%35.
67% Senior Management Class:3.
00%34.
52%37.
52% Employees have the option of choosing the Pension Plan or the Investment Plan.
Under the Pension Plan, employees enrolled in the FRS prior to July 1, 2011, need to have 6 years of service to be vested.
Employees enrolled in the FRS on or after July 1, 2011, must have 8 years of service to be vested.
Under the Investment Plan, employees need to have 1 year of service to be vested.
ICMA-RC (now MissionSquare Retirement):General Employees: All eligible employees hired before November 2002 were enrolled in the ICMA Plan.
This plan is not open to newly hired employees.
Under this plan, the City contributes 11% and the employee 4% to a retirement investment plan.
Employees are fully vested after 3 years.
Senior Management Employees: All eligible employees hired before November 2002 were enrolled in the ICMA Plan.
This plan is only open to certain positions which are not designated and/or classified under FRS.
Under this plan, the City contributes 11% and the employee 6% to a retirement investment plan.
Employees are fully vested after 3 years.
An optional Section 457 tax deferred savings program is available to employees who wish to supplement future retirement income.
The plan allows employees to put aside a portion of their earnings pre-tax each pay period, through payroll deduction, into an account for their retirement and reduce the amount of earnings that is currently taxable.
Sick LeaveEmployee earn twelve (12) sick days per calendar year on a prorated basis (1.
846 per week).
Vacation Leave Employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis as follows:· General Employees: 10 days per year (1.
539 hours per week).
· Department Heads – Fifteen (15) days per year (2.
308 hours per week)Vacation accruals are increased incrementally thereafter, as per City policy.
HolidaysEmployees are compensated for ten (11) Federal holidays per year.
These include: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Floating HolidaysEmployees earn floating holidays as follows :· General Employees - Two (2) days per calendar year· Department Heads/Managers - Seven (7) days per calendar yearFloating Holidays are pro-rated dependent upon hire date.
Direct DepositThe City offers direct deposit of your payroll check into your personal account(s) at the financial institution(s) of your choice.
Credit UnionThe City offers memberships in three credit unions: Space Coast Credit Union, Dade County Federal Credit Union and Peoples Credit Union.