Location: College Park, MD
Position Number: 101429
Salary: $38732 - 46478
Closing Date: June 26, 2024
Salary: $38732 - 46478
Closing Date: June 26, 2024
Position Summary/Purpose of Position:
The Emergency Communications Center is staffed by Police Communications Operators who are responsible for answering emergency and non-emergency calls for service, dispatching these calls, initiating EMS responses, monitoring alarm systems, and working the customer service desk. PCO’s work shift work including nights, weekends and holidays, and the job requires significant knowledge, skill and ability in responding to citizen need and dispatching police officers. The work can be fast paced, time critical, stressful, and demanding, and requires good communication skills, the ability to multi-task, and resource management skills. PCO’s are certified First Responders, CPR Certified, NCIC Certified, and Public Safety Telecommunicator Certified through APCO and Incident Command through FEMA at a minimum.
Receives incoming calls for police, dispatches officers as appropriate, and monitors police radio alarms. Documents police requests in an electronic records management and dispatch system. Operates National Crime Information Center (NCIC) console, Police Mutual Aid Radio System (PMARS) a computer aided mobile dispatch system, and interoperable radio console.
The hiring process for Police Communications Operator takes approximately 4 months and consists of a written examination (Criticall), Oral Interview, Background Investigation, Sit Along, and after conditional employment offer (medical and psychological examinations). Applicants selected for hire must successfully pass a comprehensive police background investigation including a drug screening.
Generous state benefit package including health, dental, prescription, retirement, tuition remission for employee and dependents (after two years) and abundant leave package including: 11 days annual leave, 3 days personal leave, 15-16 holidays, 15 days sick. Position works 4 – 10 hour days.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Two years clerical or other related experience.
- Skill in the use of keyboards and office equipment.
- Ability to type accurately; to learn emergency communications work; to learn applicable procedures and regulations; to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; to react calmly, quickly, and decisively in emergency situations; to obtain, summarize and relay information orally and in writing; to follow oral and written instructions; to write legibly; to monitor multiple radio frequencies.
Other:
Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.
Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.
Preferences:
- Thorough knowledge of emergency communications practices and procedures.
- Skill in the operation of assigned communications equipment; in obtaining essential information in emergency situations; in summarizing and relaying information; in the use of keyboards and office equipment.
- Ability to lead and train others in police communications work; to type accurately; to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; to react calmly, quickly, and decisively in emergency situations; to obtain, summarize and relay information orally and in writing; to follow oral and written instructions; to write legibly; to monitor multiple radio frequencies.
