Job Specification
COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR TRAINEE
DEFINITION:
Under the close supervision of a Communications Operator 3 or other
supervisory official in a centralized or regional communications center,
as a trainee and productive worker, learns to perform varied types of
communications work; learns to monitor and operate radio, telephone,
and electronic equipment; learns to receive various types of emergent
and non-emergent calls, transmit alarms and radio communications, and
dispatch personnel to appropriate locations; does other related duties
as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only.
A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this
job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be
listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Under close supervision, as a trainee and productive worker:
Learns to receive fire calls, transmit fire alarms, and dispatch personnel
and fire equipment, as required.
Learns to receive emergent and non-emergent calls and radio transmissions
from the public, Safety Service Patrol, divisions within the department, and
other departments/agencies and contacts the appropriate party for NJSP
emergency alerts (blue, silver, and amber), police emergencies, motor
vehicle accidents, motorist aides, road and lane closures, hazmat response,
maintenance information, towing, potholes, debris, animal carcass removal,
overgrown vegetation and trees, signs, spills, snow, ice, traffic signal
malfunctions and knockdowns, etc.
Upon receiving a complaint of an environmental and/or health hazard,
learns to complete an Incident Notification Report form and notify
appropriate officials, first responders, and pertinent federal, state,
county, and/or local authorities, under supervision.
Learns to operate radio equipment in accordance with FCC regulations
and standard operating procedures, and receive and transmit radio
communications to law enforcement agencies, first responders, and
others for appropriate action.
Learns to operate an aircraft and vehicle tracking system, computerized
phone and recording system, and emergency electronic notification
system(s).
Learns to determine the correct location of the reported incident and
whether the nature of the call is emergent or non-emergent to
appropriately prioritize and initiate the needed services for the incident.
Learns to make entries, inquiries, cancellations, and modifications of
records in the National Crime Information Center and the State Crime
Information Center, the Stolen Vehicle file, Stolen License Plate file,
Stolen/Missing Gun file, Stolen Article file, Wanted Person file,
Stolen/Embezzled/Counterfeited/ Missing Securities file, the Stolen
Boat file and other systems for law enforcement agencies of the state.
Learns to coordinate efforts with the appropriate Mobility Operations
Center regarding motor vehicle accidents, traffic signal malfunctions
and knockdowns, hazardous material spills, road and lane closures,
and emergent incidents.
Learns to interact with the public and/or government (federal, state,
county, local) officials requesting department assistance.
Learns to monitor the status of the responders and equipment until
the incident has been cleared and/or work has been completed.
Learns to utilize computer-aided dispatch and/or data processing or
computer equipment in receiving and sending messages to state and
out-of-state law enforcement agencies; learns to create incidents in
the computer-aided dispatch system.
Learns to receive and answer telephone, radio, and electronic inquiries
of the National Crime Information Center and State Crime Information
Center for law enforcement agencies of the state.
Learns to receive and record telephone complaints and requests from
the public and/or other agencies for environmental protection and police
assistance, rescue/emergency medical services, and learns to dispatch
rescue/emergency medical services to desired locations.
Learns to receive confidential and sensitive law enforcement information
in a professional and courteous manner, creating an accurate record of
information provided to aid in the investigation and apprehension of
violators and/or handling of the incident.
Learns to provide information upon request in accordance with
established procedures and regulations.
Learns to generate reports, statistical data, and other information; learns
to prepare and maintain essential records and files, and the official station
records and log, as required.
May be called upon to act as a witness at hearings or in court, and give
testimony under oath.
Learns to maintain a daily electronic radio log of all incoming/outgoing
communications.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or
manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or
related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:
NOTE: Appointees must successfully complete IS-100.c: Introduction to
the Incident Command System training within one (1) year of appointment.
(Completion of this training is not required for employees advancing to
the Communications Operator Secured Facilities and Communications
Operator Department of Corrections titles).
NOTE: The responsibility for ensuring that employees complete the
required training rests with the Appointing Authority.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in
New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee
mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of filing and other office routines.
Ability to maintain a professional demeanor while working with a sense
of urgency to complete assigned tasks during stressful incidents.
Ability to strictly adhere to established procedures, protocols, and work
in a law enforcement agency or other communication unit/center.
Ability to learn the federal Incident Management System terminology
and procedures, and ability to conduct work in accordance with same.
Ability to learn to appropriately use scientific terms, chemical names,
abbreviations, units of measure, and related vocabulary.
Ability to learn to use appropriate techniques to calm distressed callers,
gain control of the conversation, gather necessary information, and create
an accurate report to forward to decision makers and first responders.
Ability to learn to coordinate and interact with others in response to
emergent and non-emergent incidents.
Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral and written
instructions.
Ability to learn geographic areas of the state and names of locations
and facilities.
Ability to learn to operate computer-aided dispatch and other computer
equipment and programs used in receiving and sending electronic
messages.
Ability to learn to make entries and changes in records of the National
Crime Information and State Crime Information Centers and in other
data files.
Ability and willingness to work on any assigned shift to include weekends
and holidays, times of inclement weather, and natural, man-made, and
technological disasters.
Ability to learn to receive and transmit radio, telephone, and electronic
communications to law enforcement agencies and first responders in
a concise and brief manner.
Ability to learn to determine the nature of the calls for emergent and
non-emergent services, initiate the appropriate action, and to monitor
the status of the responders and equipment until the incident has been
cleared and/or work completed.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of all personally identifiable information
and/or police sensitive information received in the course of official duties.
Ability to use a keyboard and mouse to navigate programs and enter
information with skill, speed, and accuracy.
Ability to act with discretion and empathy when dealing with sensitive
information and situations.
Ability to learn to prepare factual reports in appropriate form.
Ability to maintain essential records and files in accordance with
established procedures.
Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related
units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English
sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign
Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of
communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can
perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable
accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it
would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not
be eligible.
ADVANCEMENT:
Appointees who successfully complete the twelve (12) month training
period will be eligible for advancement to the Communications
Operator 1, Communications Operator 1 Environmental Protection,
Communications Operator Secured Facilities, or Communications
Operator Department of Corrections titles in accordance with the
New Jersey Civil Service Commission procedures.
The inability of an employee in this trainee title to complete the
required ICS training and/or attain a level of performance warranting
advancement to the titles listed above shall be considered as cause
for separation.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 21801 | | S | N | 40 | 99 | N/A | O99 | - |
This job specification is for state government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
2/26/2022 |
|
|
