Police Telecommunications Officer

Performs the full range of police dispatch duties including 911, receiving and dispatching requests for police services, and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) inputting functions. Responsible for dispatching and processing of calls and messages from police vehicles and personnel. Maintains various types of information logs and records of dispatch calls, warrants, stolen items and missing persons.

Organization is 24/7 and work day could be day, swing or graveyard shift to include weekends and holidays. Employees will be scheduled to work 4/10's after their initial "book" training where you would work days Monday-Friday. Due to the nature of the position, candidates given a conditional job offer must be available to work any shift and schedule.

Upon successful completion of the skills-testing, candidates may be required to complete a 4-hour "Realistic Job Review" with the Dispatch office prior to interviews.

Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, which permits the employee to listen and respond to radio transmissions and voice instructions; to communicate effectively in person, on the telephone, and over a two-way radio; ability to hear sounds within the normal range of hearing (phone conversations, co-workers, supervisors, radio traffic) and to hear in the presence of noise.

Candidates who are selected for appointment are required to be fingerprinted, if 18 or older; successfully complete a background investigation, employment verification and subject to a drug test, medical, polygraph and psychological evaluation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Receives, evaluates, and prioritizes emergency and non-emergency calls from the public requesting police, fire or other emergency services; determine the nature of the call, the priority, the location and number of necessary units to respond; dispatch and maintain accurate status and location of units; relay criminal information to authorized officers and agencies; coordinate with other agencies for multi-jurisdictional assistance.

Operate a multi-screen police dispatch console and multi-line telephone equipment; maintains proper radio communications in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.

Activate reverse 911 systems and/or Community Emergency Notification System.

Operate telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD) equipment and access translation line when necessary; operate the Apache Junction Police Department (AJPD) security system including but not limited to locking and unlocking doors; monitor security cameras for the Police Department, City Complex, Public Works and Animal Control; monitor Apache Junction Police Department, Public Works and other agencies’ radio channels.

Maintain daily computerized log of Department Reports (DR) issued; enter, update, confirm and clear information including warrants, stolen items, stored/repossessed/stolen vehicles and missing persons in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS) systems; maintain hard-copy Orders of Protection and Injunctions Against Harassment; update alarm permit program records; coordinate tow trucks and abandoned vehicles.

Research information including but not limited to warrant checks, criminal histories and driver’s license checks as requested by officers, administrators and various agencies; notarize affidavits and other paperwork; assist Records Unit with record request forms and records distribution.

May train new employees.

Support City policies, goals and objectives and work with management and other staff to ethically achieve such goals and objectives; ensure compliance with safety procedures.

Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated Knowledge of:

City and Department procedures, policies and guidelines; City Code; ACJIS regulations; State and Federal laws and privacy acts; Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) guidelines; National Center for Missing and Exploited Children procedures.

CAD formats and commands pertaining to 911 operations and police dispatch; federal communications rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of public safety communications.

Proper two-way radio and telephone communications techniques; radio codes.

Geographic knowledge of the City of Apache Junction and surrounding area.

Skill in:
Exercising professional telephone etiquette and in-person communications with distressed citizens; demonstrating good judgment and making sound decisions in stressful situations.

Operating a personal computer utilizing standard software and some specialized software including but not limited to multi-line phone system, CAD; functioning standard office equipment; proficient typing and data entry at a minimum of 40 wpm.

Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with coworkers and other individuals in contact during the course of work; communicating clearly and concisely; following instructions.

Assessing, prioritizing and completing multiple tasks and demands simultaneously.