The Communications Specialist serves the community as a member of the team trained and organized to serve as the link between calls for help, and the first response teams that provide the needed assistance. Successful candidates develop a rapid and accurate sense of call interpretation and decision-making/problem solving skills. Processing multiple calls simultaneously, establishing the priority status of the call and initiating a sequence of time sensitive actions are all part of this teams responsibilities. To be successful in this environment, candidates must enjoy working in a technology-heavy environment that demands excellence at every level. The work is fast-pace, challenging, time-sensitive, and provides the candidate with an opportunity to truly impact the lives of others.
Shift work is required
DUTIES
Essential Functions of Communication Specialist:
Answers non-emergency calls for service and simultaneously enters this information into the computer using a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System.
Calms, negotiates, advises and provides instructions to callers to obtain accurate and essential information necessary to establish priority and initiate a timely response to emergency calls.
Will provide information via radio transmissions; responds to units as necessary.
Continually updates information as it is received, entering in the appropriate databases and updates responding units, with new information or instructions, including follow up and updated status, as appropriate.
Searchs data in local, state and national computerized databases including the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC).
Assists other team members as needed during periods of heavy communications traffic.
Attends shift meetings and /or debriefing before or after work as directed
Must be reliable and dependable, reporting for work on a consistent and punctual basis
Performs additional duties as assigned
Characteristics of a Successful Communications Specialist:
Well Spoken
Perceptive
Inquisitive
Calm in stressful situations
Comforting
Responsive
Passionate
Team Focused
Self-Confident
Problem-solving focused
Energetic
Driven to Excellence
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Knowledge of map reading techniques, including directions of travel and freeway access
Ability to condense and organize information received over the phone and radio into readable, sensibly typed remarks in a timely manner
Ability to make timely and appropriate decisions under emergent circumstances based on technical standards, criteria and policies
Ability to remember numerous details and quickly re-call essential information
Ability to consistently think clearly and respond quickly in a wide variety of situations
Ability to speak English clearly, possess an excellent vocabulary and verbally communicate rapidly
Ability to deal effectively with people in a multi-cultural society under stressful situations
Ability to quickly perform multiple time-sensitive tasks with a high degree of accuracy
Ability to type 40 words per minute while conversing with callers
Ability to articulate in a clear, concise manner, disseminating complete and accurate information in a logical and timely basis both orally and in writing
Adequate hearing and visual acuity to successfully perform the essential job requirements
Ability to be a team player and establish good working relationships; maintain self-control under stressful circumstances.
Ability to discern several conversations simultaneously, disseminate appropriate information, prioritize actions and respond in an effective manner
Ability to be available for shift work encompassing a 24 hour day, seven-day week; inclusive of days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays
Additionally, Bell County Sheriffs Department provides paid training for required certifications and TCOLE Licensing.
Minimum Qualifications/Education and Work Experience:
- US or naturalized citizen
- Must have GED or High School diploma
- Must be age 18 years of age or older
- Not awaiting trial or currently charged with any misdemeanors
- No Class B misdemeanor conviction within past 10 years
- No convictions of a Class A misdemeanor or higher
- No family violence conviction at any misdemeanor/felony level
- No military dishonorable discharge or a discharge that bars future military service
- Pass all phases of testing(reading, psychological) and background investigation.
- Successfully pass an approved TCOLE telecommunicator academy course (provided by department)
Essential Functions of Communication Specialist:
Answers non-emergency calls for service and simultaneously enters this information into the computer using a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System.
Calms, negotiates, advises and provides instructions to callers to obtain accurate and essential information necessary to establish priority and initiate a timely response to emergency calls.
Will provide information via radio transmissions; responds to units as necessary.
Continually updates information as it is received, entering in the appropriate databases and updates responding units, with new information or instructions, including follow up and updated status, as appropriate.
Searchs data in local, state and national computerized databases including the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC).
Assists other team members as needed during periods of heavy communications traffic.
Attends shift meetings and /or debriefing before or after work as directed
Must be reliable and dependable, reporting for work on a consistent and punctual basis
Performs additional duties as assigned
Characteristics of a Successful Communications Specialist:
Well Spoken
Perceptive
Inquisitive
Calm in stressful situations
Comforting
Responsive
Passionate
Team Focused
Self-Confident
Problem-solving focused
Energetic
Driven to Excellence
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