Communications Officer

Applicants who are currently Virginia-certified through DCJS will not be required to take the National Dispatcher Selection Test. You will be notified of the date/time and location of the testing.

Non-certified applicants will be required to take the written test.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Receive complaint, emergency, service and information calls and initiate Offense/Complaint/Incident Reports, dispatching necessary manpower
• Classify complaints, incidents and calls for service
• Dispatch police officers to respond to calls
• Record information on calls onto log or in computer
• Relay information and requests for assistance from and to on-duty police officers, security officers, and other emergency service providers as necessary or required
• Provide information and assistance to the general public, University faculty, staff, students and departmental personnel
• Maintain, update, and post various logs as required on each shift
• Contact University Facilities by telephone to report emergency maintenance problems
• Issue visitor and overnight temporary parking permits
• Train newly hired communications officers
• Promote positive community relations in the performance of job duties
• Physically perform all other communications related duties as outlined in the Departmental Directives
• Perform all other duties, responsibilities, and tasks as assigned
• CONTACTS:
• Frequently inter-organizational and outside customer / vendor contacts. Part of a team who represents the organization. Monitors activities and communicates information across the organization

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT

Office environment

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, skills & ability

• Clear and concise written oral communications
• Articulate and responsive to colleagues
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
• Department policies and procedures
• Department and state record systems and appropriate reporting forms
• Technical communication equipment, e.g., NCIC/VCIN terminal, CAD terminal, Fax machine, etc.
• Employ radio communication procedures
• Operate various pieces of office equipment, e.g., typewriter, telephone, laser printer, standard printer, paper shredder, and computer
• Maintain written and recorded radio and telephone logs and tapes
• Answer police and switchboard telephone lines
• Monitor and maintain applicable equipment in the communications area
• Run criminal history checks
• Properly file criminal history checks
• Issue and maintain sign-in and sign-out records of portable radios, keys, and controlled forms
• Monitor and operate the NCIC / VICN teletype terminals
• Monitor and operate computerized alarm reporting systems
• Prepare, type, and distribute necessary reports and forms, and maintain files

Education & experience

• H.S. Diploma or GED required
• Some experience as a communications officer preferred

WORK HOURS : 8 pm -8 am. 2-2-3 schedule, rotating weekends

SALARY STRUCTURE

Pay Grade 4 (Starting at $22.35/hour)