COMMUNICATIONS/DISPATCH

Department: Bradenton Police Department
Compensation: $21.50/hr
Hours: Full-time
Deadline: Open until filled

Position Objectives
Supervision Received: Works under the general direction of and is responsible to the Communications Supervisor, Assistant Chief, and Chief of Police.

General Purpose of the Position: This position provides the vital first link between the citizens and the City’s emergency services resources. This position will directly contribute to the safety and well-being of the City’s Police and Fire departments and the City’s residents. The City of Bradenton Public Safety Telecommunicators will perform communication duties for the Police and Fire Departments. This position answers citizen calls for emergency and non-emergency service and dispatches City emergency forces and other resource agencies according to prescribed procedures, often requiring immediate independent judgment. The Public Safety Telecommunicator - Comm I position is a training position, with promotion to a Public Safety Telecommunicator - Comms II position following completion and state certification.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Track and monitor officers/designated personnel.

  • Maintain the integrity of the NCIC/FCIC terminal, City data terminal, County E911 terminal, and the proper routing of all messages.

  • Prioritize calls.

  • Receive and enter complaints (emergency E911 and non-emergency calls) into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Transfer appropriate calls to the necessary surrounding agencies.

  • Operate telephone consoles/switchboard; operate the E911 console.

  • Coordinate with other law enforcement agencies.

  • Run NCIC/FCIC inquiries, entries, and cancels.

  • Disseminate important BOLOS.

  • Page agency members.

  • Dispatch calls for service, police, and fire.

  • Process hit-confirmation requests.

  • Maintain communications logs.

  • Update records, reports, documentation, manuals, files, and logs.

  • Inform superiors of events and activities in progress.

  • Monitor all equipment to ensure functioning.

  • Process wrecker requests and maintain wrecker logs.

Skills and Physical Abilities Required:

  • Knowledge of City rules and regulations, Bradenton Police Departments General Orders, and Bradenton Fire Departments Standard Operating Procedure.

  • Knowledge of Dispatch Codes to interpret and understand.

  • Knowledge of the geographical jurisdiction of the City and Police and Fire Department zones.

  • Knowledge of FCC laws, regulations, procedures, and practices applicable to radiotelephone operation.

  • Ability to simultaneously perform multiple communication tasks under stressful and non-stressful conditions.

  • Ability to efficiently operate the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch).

  • Ability to efficiently operate the FCIC/NCIC computers following agency policies and state and federal regulations.

  • Ability to operate the E911 system following established procedures and routing calls to the proper authorities.

  • Ability to multi-task, hear, interpret, and give verbal and written instructions simultaneously.

  • Ability to prioritize.

  • Ability to speak clearly and concisely over the radio and telephone.

  • Ability to make quick sound decisions and act upon them in emergencies using all available information.

  • Ability to read maps.

  • Possess the skills necessary to accomplish tasks effectively while working under stress.

  • Must pass the Critical Test (data entry, decision making, keyboarding, call summarization, memory recall, character comparison, prioritization, spelling, probability, sentence clarity, and reading comprehension).

  • This is office work in a confined, restricted area requiring limited physical effort. Manual dexterity to operate computers and other office equipment is required.

Computer Equipment and Software Requirements: Proficiency in computer software programs. Must be able to adapt to other software programs with ease.

Education and Experience Required: Minimum 18 years of age, United States Citizen or resident green card, high school diploma or GED equivalent. Must possess or have the ability to maintain a valid Florida driver’s license. Ability to operate a personal computer is required. On-the-job training will be provided. The applicant must observe the working conditions for one hour before being hired.

Preferred: Bi-lingual skills strongly desired.

Special Requirements: Personality Inventory Test, Polygraph, medical exam, urinalysis/drug screen, and a background investigation. Willingness and ability to work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends, work an on-call status, irregular duty assignments, and during emergency crises. Must complete the State Certified Training Program for Telecommunicators and pass the State Certification Test to obtain a State Certification within twelve (12) months of hire.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by anyone authorized to give instructions or assignments. A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. Duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate employees with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION

All questions regarding employment at the Bradenton Police Department may be directed to JoinTheBlue@BradentonPD.com or (941)932-9367.