Communications Officer

Position Summary

Work involves performing specialized and complex telecommunications and dispatch duties that require independent judgment and a thorough knowledge and understanding of communications equipment and policies and procedures. This includes answering emergency (911) and other calls, dispatching numerous local law enforcement and fire/emergency medical agencies, providing life-saving emergency medical instructions, and entering information into a computerized system.

What You Will Do

• Receives incoming 9-1-1 hardwire and cellular telephone calls, non-emergency phone calls, inter-office phone calls and ring-down lines; obtains pertinent information, determines nature, location and priority of calls, dispatches units or takes messages for duty personnel or transfers callers.
• Dispatches necessary emergency personnel including law enforcement units, fire departments, ambulance departments and other agencies as needed.
• Performs Emergency Medical Dispatching for all medic calls received in the communications center.
• Maintains radio contact with units on assignments and monitor status and location of police, fire and emergency medical service units.
• Operates a variety of public safety communications equipment including multi-channel radio, 9-1-1 emergency telephone equipment, computer aided dispatch systems, installs recall recorders and paging and intercom systems.
• Sends, receives, records and disseminates teletype information from the state and national computer networks regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other related information; relays to officers in the field; maintains National Crime Information/Colorado Crime Information (NCIC/CCIC) Certification.
• Enters data into automated records; maintains a large variety of logs relating to public safety telecommunication activities; looks up information in databases; compiles statistics on calls received; uses email to communicate.
• Coordinates and relays information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement and fire fighting agencies; coordinates and assigns resources as necessary in emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Reads maps and verbally describes detailed directions via radio or phone.
• Maintains access and dissemination of confidential information.
• Performs extensive computer work for criminal histories, background checks, previous contacts, warrants and officer safety information.
• Takes possession of and maintains active warrants to include return of service and audits of same.
• Monitors building security alarm system, national warning phone, radio equipment, phone equipment and all other essential equipment and reports to responder as necessary.
• As assigned, serves as the Communications Shift Supervisor in the absence of same.
• Works a shift schedule as assigned.
• Performs other duties as appropriate or necessary for performance of the job

What You Have

Candidates must be at least 21 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED, and a valid driver’s license.
Testing includes, but is not limited to, a computerized multi-task test. Prior to employment, candidates will complete a background investigation, polygraph examination, physical examination to include a drug screen, and psychological evaluation. The expected duration of the selection process will not normally exceed two months. Candidates not selected may reapply in the future. This position requires shift work, including weekends and holidays.
The salary for this position begins at $3,972.00 per month with benefits.

What Pueblo County Offers

• Shift differential pay
• Referral/Recruitment bonuses
• Trainer pay
• Tuition reimbursement
• Opportunity to work in many diverse areas
• Comprehensive Benefits package (medical, dental, vision, etc.) for full-time employees
• Generous Vacation and Sick Leave Accrual
• County Retirement Program
• Autonomy to grow and find your career path with supportive leadership
• Truly inclusive and diverse environment
• Fitness Center (Historic Pueblo Courthouse Building)
• 4-week Paid Parental Leave Benefit

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SUMMARY
2024

HOLIDAYS

• New Year's Day- January 1st
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - January 15th
• Presidents' Day - February 19th
• Memorial Day - May 27th
• Employee Appreciation Day Picnic - June 5th
• Juneteenth Day(observed) - June 19th
• Independence Day - July 4th
• Day before Labor Day - August 30th (Early Release at 12:00 pm)
• Labor Day - September 2nd
• Francis Xavier Cabrini Day - October 7th
• Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day - October 14th
• Halloween - October 31st (Early Release At 3:00 pm)
• Veteran's Day - November 11th
• Day before Thanksgiving - November 27th (Early Release at 12:00 pm)
• Thanksgiving Day - November 28th
• Day after Thanksgiving - November 29th
• Christmas Eve Day - December 24th
• Christmas Day - December 25th
• Day before New Year's Day - December 31st (Early Release at 12:00 pm)
• One (1) Personal Day **
• One (1) Commission Appreciation Day ***

* = Regular Part-Time Employees who are scheduled to work on the 2024 Holidays will receive Holiday Pay for two (2) of the Holidays of their choice (marked with the single asterisk * above) as approved by their Elected Official or Department Director

• When a holiday falls on a Saturday, Friday will be celebrated as the County holiday
• When a holiday falls on a Sunday, Monday will be celebrated as the County holiday
• Personal Day **: Paid day off chosen by the employee and approved by their Elected Official or Department Director
• Commissioner Appreciation Day ***: Paid day off chosen by the employee and approved by their Elected Office or Department Director
• Elected Officials and Department Directors may vary these holidays based on the needs of their offices/departments.
• Early releases are at the discretion of the Elected Official or Department Director and may vary based on the operational needs of their offices/departments.
• All time off work taken by County employees for the days designated as Early Release shall be considered holiday time off for purposes "worked time" in determining Overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• If an employee is absent the day preceding or following the holiday without prior approval, the employee will not be paid for the holiday

*** The above 2024 Holiday Schedule resolution number 23-222 was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on December 19th, 2023***

DEPARTMENTS SCHEDULED TO WORK ON HOLIDAYS
Due to operational requirements, some employees will be required to work on holidays. The employee must take the holiday by the end of the month following the holiday at a date approved by their Elected Official or Department Director
SICK LEAVE
Regular full-time employees accrue eight (8) hours per month with a maximum accrual of 960 hours.
VACATION

• 0-5 years: earn eight (8) hours per month with a maximum accrual of 144 hours.
• 5-10 years: earn twelve (12) hours per month with a maximum accrual of 216 hours.
• 10+ years: earn sixteen (16) hours per month with a maximum accrual of 288 hours.

RETIREMENT
All Regular Full-Time employees and Elected Officials are required to participate in the County Retirement Plan upon completion of one (1) month of continuous employment. A pre-tax deduction of 8.25% will be deducted from the employee's monthly pay.
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EMPLOYER MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION
Pueblo County's contribution toward the purchase of your benefit options on a tiered approach and based on which medical plan you elect.
If Benefit Selections:

• Are greater than the employer contribution dollar amount, the difference is deducted from paycheck
• Are equal to the employer contribution dollar amount, there is no effect on pay
• Are less the employer contribution dollar amount, additional pay or cash back is not optional

Your monthly cost = (monthly pay)/100 x 0.410
BASIC LIFE AND AD&D BENEFIT(required)
Employees are required to purchase the basic option for $1.90, however, they may elect to purchase additional coverage.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT(optional)
This benefit allows you to pay for certain expenses (medical and/or dependent care needs) with "pre-tax" dollars. You specify the dollar amount you would like deducted from your monthly paycheck (minimum of $25), then when you incur an eligible expense, you pay it. Then you submit a claim form and original receipt for reimbursement.

Note:According to IRS rules, any funds left in your FSA account(s) at the end of the year cannot be returned to you. They are considered "use or lose" funds.
ADDITIONAL INSURANCES/BENEFITS(optional)

• Optional Life Insurance
• Spouse/Dependent Life Insurance
• Other Self-Funded Retirement Plans