Communications Officer – Department of Fire Jobs

Overview

Position Title: Communications Officer

Company: City Of Albany

Location: Albany, GA

Job Description:

The purpose of this classification is to answer multiple telephone lines, to communicate effectively with persons requesting emergency and non-emergency assistance, and to clearly relay information for dispatch or transfer calls.

Responsibilities:

• Answers multiple telephone lines; assesses incoming 911 and non-emergency calls; enters emergency call data into computer for dispatch or transfers/connects calls to appropriate department, extension, service, or agency.
• Maintains conversation with caller to obtain/verify pertinent information and to provide comfort until assistance arrives; makes welfare checks on 911 hang ups.
• Communicates effectively and coherently over law enforcement, fire, rescue, and EMS radio channels; notifies others, such as ambulances, wreckers, and utilities, when services are requested/required.
• Contacts various other departments to resolve problems such as street lights being out, downed street signs, roadway debris, and power outages.
• Monitors multiple radio frequencies often while answering/handling phone calls or other radio frequencies and responding to in-person requests for services or records; monitors alarm systems at specific locations.
• Maintains officers’, fire, EMS, and other responding units’ activities status at all times to ensure safety of personnel involved including those working accidents, fires, hazardous incidents, and breaks.
• Provides the general public with directions and referrals, answers to citizen complaints and concerns, and any other information requested regarding the community or situation.
• Enters/retrieves a variety of data into/from GCIC/NCIC, CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch), and/or in-house computer; modifies, locates, maintains, saves, and/or clears files and records within database; records information manually on entry cards when computer is out of service.
• Performs computer background checks on criminals; handles inquiries on driver’s licenses, vehicle tags, stolen articles and property, guns, wanted and missing persons, and warrants and summons; provides information from computer database as requested by police officers. Operates telecommunications device for the deaf; performs pager, phone, and/or radio knock out tests as required.
• Prepares extra patrols and out of town alerts. Notifies appropriate personnel and/or supervisor of critical situations, weather related information, and problems with communications or computer equipment.
• Maintains assorted logs detailing daily activity including wrecker service, warrants, CAD system dispatching, message, GCIC/NCIC entries/retrievals of information, facsimiles and teletypes.
• Performs administrative support duties such as replenishing various forms, changing computer paper, shredding confidential material, disseminating information to various departments, and pulling entry cards for validation.
• Attends training courses as offered by the department or as required by law to maintain applicable certifications, remain informed of departmental operations, and improve job performance; assists with training new dispatchers.
• Performs clerical support tasks which may include sending facsimiles, making photocopies, locating telephone numbers and addresses, and researching and contacting business/residence call-outs as necessary.
• Completes, prepares, processes, and/or files a variety of forms, teletypes, legal documents, requests, reports, correspondence, and other documentation associated with the daily routine of this position; maintains files and administrative records.
• Cooperates with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and its officers or representatives when their activities or investigations are related to on-going investigations within city jurisdiction.
• ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS Takes and relays messages to officers, other divisions, or local agencies; places calls for officers and supervisors.
• Substitutes for co-workers in temporary absence of same; calls in additional personnel as necessary to maintain adequate manpower during shift.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED required; some experience preferred but not required. Must obtain and maintain State of Georgia Telecommunications, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.
• Must obtain and maintain Basic Communications Officer Certification within in six (6) months of hire date.
• Must obtain and maintain GCIC/NCIC Certification within six (6) months of hire date. Must pass a background investigation. Must be able to type 30 WPM.