As a communications officer you will be working as part of a team operating the Central South Dakota Communications Center, the 911-Emergency Dispatch Center for central South Dakota. You will be receiving calls for assistance from the public, documenting and dispatching appropriate public safety personnel for those calls. You will also be receiving, processing and sending radio communications for various Law Enforcement Agencies, Emergency Medical Services, and local Fire Departments.
DESCRIPTION:
As a communications officer you will be working as part of a team operating the Central South Dakota Communication Center. You will be receiving calls for assistance from the public, documenting and dispatching appropriate public safety personnel for those calls. You will also be receiving, processing and sending radio communications for various Law Enforcement Agencies, Emergency Medical Services, and local Fire Departments.
HOURS:
40 hours per week – Shift work
JOB TITLE:
Communications Officer
DEPARTMENT:
Police, City of Pierre
Receives, processes, dispatches, & records all telephone & radio calls for police, fire, ambulance, and other governmental agencies. All maintenance of records & logs is done on a computerized system
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
The Communications Manager assigns work in terms of general instructions. Completed work is reviewed for compliance with procedures and the nature and propriety of the final results.
GUIDELINES:
Guidelines include federal and state laws, city ordinances, state and national crime information center procedures, and department standard operating procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific, but may require some interpretation.
COMPLEXITY:
This position consists of technical dispatching duties. The need to respond quickly to emergency situations contributes to the complexity of the work.
SCOPE AND EFFECT:
The purpose of this position is to receive incoming calls and dispatch the appropriate emergency or non-emergency personnel. Successful performance helps ensure the protection of life and property.
PERSONAL CONTACTS:
Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city and state employees, representatives of other public safety agencies, representatives of service and support agencies, and the general public.
PURPOSE OF CONTACTS:
Contacts are typically to exchange information, provide services, and resolve problems.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The work is typically performed while sitting, walking, bending, crouching, stooping and the employee lifts light objects, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, and distinguishes between shades of color.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work is typically performed in an office environment.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY:
None.
CERTIFICATIONS:
The following is a list of certifications needed within the first 12 months of obtaining employment.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Must have a high school diploma or GED, good typing skills, ability to remain calm in stressful situations, ability to multi-task & must have good communication & public relations skills. Knowledge of public safety preferred, but not required. Computer knowledge is helpful. Applicants must pass a written exam and a hearing test, pre-employment drug screening & background check. Successful applicants must meet the following rule:
2:05:01:02. Felons to be rejected - Misdemeanants to be reviewed. No person may be employed or certified if that person has pled guilty or no contest to, or been convicted of, any offense which could have resulted in incarceration for more than one year. Any person who has pled guilty or no contest to, or been convicted of, an offense with a maximum penalty that could have resulted in incarceration of one year or less remains eligible for employment or certification unless the plea or conviction when considered along with the seriousness of the offense, time elapsed since the offense was committed, the person's conduct since the offense was committed, or other pertinent information indicates that the person should not be hired or certified.
Source: 25 SDR 124, effective April 8, 1999; 27 SDR 63, effective January 2, 2001.
General Authority: SDCL 34-45-26, 34-45-29.
Law Implemented: SDCL 34-45-24, 34-45-29.
