Police Communications Operator

NOTE: THIS IS A REPOSTING OF N-2024-77075 WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY OPEN FROM FEBRUARY 23, 2024 TO FEBRUARY 27, 2024.  PREVIOUS APPLICANTS DO NOT NEED TO REAPPLY.

As a Police Communications Operator (PCO) for the Pennsylvania State Police, you will:

• Receive calls from the general public and county 911 operators regarding emergency and non-emergency police issues.
• Question callers to gather details, determine response requirements, and assign relative priorities of incidents.
• Dispatch and relay incident information to responding Troopers.
• Contact municipal police, fire, ambulance, towing, and PennDOT to provide incident details and request assistance and response.
• Utilize Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN), Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET), and Protection from Abuse Database (PFAD) to access, research, and maintain records.
• Establish and maintain incident information in electronic record management systems.
• Communicate with Troopers and other PCOs regarding active incidents or concerns.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment (40-hour work week)
• Work hours: Rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays. 
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. Please note, selected candidates who are new to employment within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $46,944.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email.  Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: 

• Two years of experience using two-way radio, multi-line telephone, or computer aided dispatch systems; or
• Two years of experience using computer systems for entering, updating, and retrieving information; or
• Completion of 60 college credits; or 
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

• All employees must possess a clear, firm voice and no major speech, hearing, or visual impairments that would interfere with understanding verbal communication, being understood, or using electronic communications equipment and visual display equipment. 
• All employees must obtain an active Public Safety Telecommunicator certification issued by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials within the probationary period and maintain the same for the duration of employment in this job. 
• All employees must obtain active Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) and Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET) certifications issued by the Pennsylvania State Police within the probationary period and maintain the same for the duration of employment in this job.

• You must possess two (2) years of experience in dispatching police, fire, or ambulance services for emergency response.                                     
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

• This job title has been identified as performing critical duties. Prior to placement in this job title, the selected candidate regardless of their current job, must submit a Report of Medications for screening by the State Police Medical Officer.
• You must pass criminal history and background investigations.

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. 

Veterans: 

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.
  

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).