Job Specification
COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR 1
DEFINITION:
Under the close supervision of a Communications Operator 3 or other
supervisory official in a centralized or regional communications center,
monitors, receives, and transmits police, fire, and other emergency alarms;
receives requests for emergent and non-emergent assistance and transmits
same to first responders and/or law enforcement personnel, and other
pertinent federal, state, county, and/or local authorities; operates a variety
of communications equipment; 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:
Receives fire calls, transmits fire alarms, and dispatches personnel and fire
equipment, as required.
Receives 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,
completes an Incident Notification Report form and notifies appropriate
officials, first responders, and pertinent federal, state, county, and/or
local authorities.
Operates radio equipment in accordance with FCC regulations and standard
operating procedures, and receives and transmits radio communications to
law enforcement agencies, first responders, and others for appropriate action.
Operates an aircraft and vehicle tracking system, computerized phone and
recording system, and emergency electronic notification system(s).
Determines the correct location of the reported incident and whether
the nature of the call is emergent and/or non-emergent to appropriately
prioritize and initiate the needed services for the incident.
Makes entries, inquiries, cancellations, and modifications of records in the
National Crime Information and State Crime Information Center Stolen
Vehicle file, Stolen License Plate file, Stolen Missing Gun file, Stolen Article
file, Wanted Person file, Stolen or Embezzled or Counterfeited or Missing
Securities file, and the Stolen Boat file and other systems for state law
enforcement agencies of the state.
Coordinates 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.
Interacts with the public and/or government (federal, state, county, local)
officials requesting department assistance.
Monitors the status of the responders and equipment until the incident
has been cleared and/or work has been completed.
Utilizes computer-aided dispatch and/or data processing or computer
equipment in receiving and sending messages to state and out-of-state
law enforcement agencies; creates incidents in the computer-aided
dispatch system.
Receives and answers telephone, radio, and electronic inquiries of the
National Crime Information Center and the State Crime Information
Center for law enforcement agencies of the state.
Receives and records telephone complaints and requests from the public
and/or other agencies for police assistance, rescue/emergency medical
services, and dispatches rescue/emergency medical services to desired
locations.
Inspects the fire alarm and circuit indicator panel to ascertain whether
it is functioning properly; records voltages on fire alarm panels.
Utilizes various electronic databases and maintains communication with
first responders to provide sound technical data.
Receives 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.
Provides information upon request, in accordance with established
procedures and regulations.
Generates reports, statistical data, and other information; prepares
and maintains 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.
Maintains 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:
EXPERIENCE:
One (1) year of experience in work involving the monitoring, receiving,
sending, transmitting, and relaying of electronic messages and/or electronic
radio messages, and the receiving, relaying, and recording of complaints and
requests for assistance which shall have included the use of computer-aided
dispatch, data processing, or computer equipment and programs for a
government department/agency, law enforcement, fire, emergency medical
services, and/or other first responders.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:
NOTE: Appointees must possess a certification in IS-100.c: Introduction to
the Incident Command System.
NOTE: The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required
certification rests with the Appointing Authority.
NOTE: Appointees must successfully complete IS-700.b: National Incident
Management System (NIMS), an Introduction training within six (6) months
of appointment.
NOTE: The inability of the employee to successfully complete the required
IS-700.b training within six (6) months of appointment shall constitute
grounds for removal from the Communications Operator 1 title.
NOTE: To advance to higher levels in the series, appointees will be required
to possess certification in IS-200.c: Basic Incident Command System for
Initial Response and IS-800.c: National Response Framework, an Introduction.
NOTE: Appointees may be required to possess certification by the National
Emergency Communications Institute (NECI) as an Emergency Communications
Officer; or Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) as a
Public Safety Telecommunicator; or International Academies of Emergency
Dispatch (IAED) as an Emergency Telecommunicator Communications.
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 the geographic areas of the state and the names of locations
and facilities.
Knowledge of the operation of radio, computer, and telephone equipment
in a complex communications program.
Knowledge of Federal Communication Commission (FCC) rules, regulations,
and policies.
Knowledge of the federal Incident Command System terminology and
procedures.
Knowledge of computer-aided dispatch and other computer systems and
records retrieval.
Knowledge of the appropriate use of scientific terms, chemical names,
abbreviations, units of measure, and related vocabulary.
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 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 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 operate computer-aided dispatch systems, an aircraft and vehicle
tracking system, a computerized phone and recording system, and emergency
electronic notification systems.
Ability to understand the laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and
procedures of the Federal Communications Commission and relate these
to a police communications program.
Ability to speak clearly, professionally, and in a calm but authoritative manner.
Ability to remain calm during periods of stress/emergency to avoid delays
by first responders.
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 receive and transmit radio, telephone, and electronic
communications to law enforcement agencies and first responders
in a concise and brief manner.
Ability 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 cooperate with supervisory officials to ensure calls are sent
accurately/promptly.
Ability to maintain the confidentiality of all personally identifiable information
and/or police sensitive information received in the course of official duties.
Ability to act with discretion and empathy when dealing with sensitive
information and situations.
Ability to accurately compile and prepare reports and other statistical data.
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.
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 | | 21802 | | S | C | 40 | 14 | N/A | O15 | - |
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 |
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