Public Safety Communications Officer

Salary : $44,387.20 - $69,867.20 Annually

Location : Jacksonville Beach, FL

Job Type: Full-time regular

Job Number: 00592

Department: Police

Division: Communications

Opening Date: 10/01/2024

JOB SUMMARY AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

JOB SUMMARY

This position performs responsible technical work dispatching law enforcement, fire rescue, ocean rescue, and other personnel and equipment, usually in response to emergency situations; does related work as required. Work is performed under the regular supervision of a Public Safety Communications Supervisor or patrol supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Manual Dexterity: Picking, pinching, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Vocal Communication: Required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing: Required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Visual Acuity: Required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Answers 9-1-1 calls from the public requesting police and emergency assistance.
• Processes calls for information purposes and non-emergency assistance.
• Dispatches police emergency calls in accordance with prescribed patterns and needs.
• Dispatches police personnel and/or equipment through the use of a computerized radio system and computerized aided dispatch system requiring voice communication and data entry simultaneously.
• Obtains information from a very diverse group of callers who are oftentimes distraught or emotional for the purpose of processing requests for emergency assistance.
• Records emergency incident response information and maintains the current status and state of Police emergency vehicles and equipment by use of computer aided dispatch program and/or manually.
• Monitors and responds to voice communications on multiple radio frequencies. Queries, interprets, and maintains information in the FCIC/NCIC databases and operates a high-speed teletype system.
• Coordinates emergency service response with other public safety agencies and/or surrounding counties.
• Operates office equipment necessary in the performance of this job.
• Maintains various records as applicable.
• Performs related tasks as required.

OTHER INFORMATION

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Jacksonville Beach and the employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

A high school diploma or equivalent.

Special Qualifications:

Must obtain FCIC/NCIC Operator Certificate and FDOH Emergency Communications Certificate within one year.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of techniques and procedures used in operating emergency communications equipment.
• Knowledge of customer service standards and best practices.
• Knowledge of the City's geography.
• Knowledge of applicable FCIC/NCIC system and guidelines.
• Skill in operating emergency communications radio equipment.
• Skill in empathetic listening techniques.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and stressful working conditions during heavy workload and emergency related calls.
• Ability to prepare oral and written reports.
• Ability to handle confrontations constructively.
• Ability to speak English rapidly, clearly and concisely.
• Ability to maintain control of conversations under stressful situations.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to exercise judgment and initiative in dispatching emergency calls and other requests.
• Ability to dispatch and handle emergency calls on a continuous basis under time constraints.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to read computer screens for extended periods.
• Ability to hear under adverse conditions.
• Ability to write English legibly and rapidly.
• Ability to learn and recall signals, codes and computer commands.
• Ability to simultaneously communicate, interpret communication, and enter data into a computer accurately.
• Ability to read and apply maps and GPS systems.
• Ability to follow instructions quickly.
• Ability to operate a two-way radio console and/or a multi-line telephone system while wearing a headset during entire work shift.

This position is part of a qualification advancement plan.
CORE PURPOSE AND VALUES

Our employees uphold and promote the mission, vision, and core values of the City of Jacksonville Beach. To be successful, an individual must be able to perform the essential functions of the job and demonstrate a strong desire to be a part of our EPIC Team:

• Empowerment - Enabling employees to achieve work-life balance & professional growth and success
• Pride - A small coastal city dedicated to displaying a big heart through our commitment to the community
• Integrity - We hold ourselves, individually and collectively, accountable to our community and our organization
• Communication - Open & honest dialogue with our community and throughout our organization
• Teamwork- Working together with our community to achieve common organizational goals

The City of Jacksonville Beach provides a wide array of benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Our comprehensive benefit programs include medical, dental and vision plans; life insurance coverage for you and your dependents; flexible spending plans for medical reimbursement and dependent care; an employee assistance program for you and your dependents. We also provide an extensive wellness program that includes activities, lunch and learns, and health fairs.

Click to see more details on benefits.

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Copying and pasting your resume or stating "see resume" does NOT fulfill the requirements of the question. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and certify that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02

This positon requires working as member of a team that values empowerment, pride, integrity, communication and teamwork. Are you willing to commit to these values?

• Yes
• No

03

Processing for this position requires a thorough background investigation; including but not limited to neighborhood checks & a credit check, a lengthy interview process & variety of complex tests, a drug screen and physical may also be required.

• I have read and understand the above statement.

04

If you are a current employee with the City of Jacksonville Beach, in the event that you qualify for this position, you are required to notify your supervisor of the scheduled interview.

• I have read and understand the above statement.

05

The starting salary for this position is between $21.34 and $33.59 per hour, depending on qualifications. Is this pay range acceptable?

• Yes
• No

06

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• Less than High School
• High School or Equivalent
• Some College
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree +

07

This position requires the individual to have a high tolerance of stress while working in a fast paced environment along with the ability to multi-task, are you willing & able to work in this type of environment?

• Yes
• No

08

This position requires mandatory overtime; at times you will be required to adjust your work hours/days to come in early, work late, or to come in on days off with little or no notice. Is this acceptable?

• Yes
• No

09

The ideal candidate for this position must possess the flexibility to work days, nights, mid-nights, weekends and holidays as listed on the description. PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY:

• I can work days
• I can work nights
• I can work mid-nights
• I can work weekends
• I can work holidays
• There are hours and days I CANNOT work

10

The following is a list of disqualifying circumstances for civilian applicants. Please select all that apply to your background, if none of the items in the list apply please choose "None of the above". Note: The items include any juvenile charges or charges which may have been sealed or expunged.)

• Have had any felony arrest.
• Have had any misdemeanor conviction involving moral character, perjury or false statements.
• Have had any misdemeanor or criminal traffic convictions in the last five (5) years.
• Have had three (3) or more traffic stops resulting in citations for moving violations in the last three (3) years.
• Have had a DUI arrest in the last five (5) years, and no more than once in adult lifetime.
• Have refused to submit to a chemical test for DUI in the last five (5) years, and no more than once in adult lifetime.
• Have had any driver's license suspension (except for financial responsibilities) in the last five (5) years.
• Have had a driver's license suspension for unintentional financial responsibilities in the the last twelve (12) months.
• Have sold any controlled substance, ever ("controlled substance' means any substance named or described in Schedules I-V of Florida Statute 893.03. This includes but is not limited to the following: Cannabis, Morphine, Codeine, Cocaine, Heroin, "Designer Drugs", Methamphetamine.)
• Have used/experimented with marijuana, legal (in certain states) and/or medicinal with a valid prescription), in the last twelve (12) months.
• Have used/experimented with illegal marijuana in the last three (3) years.
• Have used/experimented with CBD oil registering greater than 0.8% THC in the last twelve (12) months. Note: Use of CBD oil can result in a positive result for THC during a drug test; a drug test that confirms a positive result for THC will disqualify the applicant from employment.
• Have taken ANY prescription medication(s) not specifically prescribed to you in the last five (5) years.
• Have unlawfully sold any prescription medication ever.
• Have purchased any prescription medication for personal use or sale which was prescribed to another individual ever.
• Have used (without a prescription), experimented with, sold, delivered, or purchased any anabolic steroids in the last five (5) years.
• Have used/experimented with any other illegal drugs in the last ten (10) years, including but not limited to: Cocaine, Heroin, LSD, Hashish, Mescaline, PCP, Opium, Peyote, OCH, THC, synthetic marijuana, designer drugs or any of their derivatives.
• None of the above

11

Must obtain FCIC/NCIC Operator certificate and FDOH Emergency Communications certificate within one (1) year during on-the-job training.

• I have read and understand the above statement.

Required Question