Communications Officer Trainee

This is telecommunications work which involves utilizing customer service skills by operating the Sheriff’s Office switchboard and greeting the general public. Work involves receiving and directing phone calls, dispatching sworn personnel, monitoring radios, operating the GCIC terminal, dealing with officers by use of radio communication in order to verify outstanding warrants, license checks and BOLO reports.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Dealing directly with the public by answering general questions, assisting in the location of impounded vehicles, and the process of releasing those vehicles.
• Receiving calls from the general public, directing, or transferring calls to 911 communications; dispatching Sheriff’s Office personnel directly.
• Notifying Warrant Division or jail in reference to warrant activity which may include surrendering or crossing state lines.
• Responding to requests for “hit’ confirmations on the GCIC terminal network by confirming active warrants.
• Performing vehicle, driver licenses, stolen property and criminal history checks on GCIC network for deputies, the District Attorney’s Office, the courts, Corrections employees, and other personnel.
• Relaying instructions or questions from remote units.
• Transmitting and receiving messages between divisions of own agency and other law enforcement agencies.
• Entering and/or canceling Douglas County warrants, missing persons bulletins, and other information on the terminal for the GCIC network.
• Contacting deputies to verify assignment locations.
• May assist in training others in this work.
• Other duties may be assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or General Educational Development Certificate (GED)
• Six months professional related work experience; customer service preferred

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must have no record of any felony conviction.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Possess and maintain a valid Georgia Driver's License (Class C) and a satisfactory motor vehicle record (MVR) if assigned job duties requiring the use of a vehicle.
• Certification as a Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) terminal operator within the first 12 months of employment.
• State certification as a communication officer by Public Safety Officers’ Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.) within the first 12 months of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of or the ability to learn the geography of the county.
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn communication operations policies and procedures used by the county in responding to a combination of calls from the public.
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn the radio signals and codes being used throughout the county and frequently used numbers.
• Ability to read and interpret a variety of documents ranging from correspondence to policies and procedures to technical and legal documents.
• Ability to deal with a variety of factors and situations and to solve practical problems.
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with co-workers, county employees, and the general public in all situations.
• Ability to concentrate in performing duties and to think and communicate clearly in receiving and responding to calls.
• Ability to respond calmly and quickly in stressful situations.
• Ability to use a computer keyboard is essential.
• Ability to operate a multi-line switchboard.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Salary: $43,760.73 - $52,747.55 annually, ($19.8912 - $23.0540) hourly) plus full benefits package

Employment Opportunities (Section 13-50)

“The recruitment, selection, appointment and promotion of employees shall be in such a manner as to promote equal employment for all persons without regard to race, age, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, national origin, physical handicap or political affiliation or sexual preference.”