*Communications 2/Dispatch

About the role

The Communications 2/Dispatch Department at the Bradenton Police Department handles vital first-link communication between citizens and emergency services. This department supports the safety and well-being of the city's police and fire departments and its residents.

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/or non-emergency calls) into Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. And/or transfer appropriate calls to the necessary surrounding agencies.
• Operate telephone consoles/switchboard; operate the E911 console.
• Cooky with other law enforcement agencies.
• Run NCIC/FCIC inquiries, entries, cancels.
• Disseminate important BOLOS.
• Page agency members.
• Dispatch calls for service, police and fire.
• Process hit confirmations requests.
• Update records, reports, documentation, manuals, files and logs.
• Inform superiors of events and activities in progress.
• Maintain communications logs.
• Monitor all equipment to be certain it is functioning.
• Process wrecker requests and maintain wrecker logs.

Requirements

• Minimum 18 years of age, United States Citizen or resident green card.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Ability to operate a personal computer is required.
• On the job training will be provided.
• Possession of and ability to maintain a valid Florida driver’s license.
• Prior to hiring, required to sit in and observe the working conditions for an hour.
• Must successfully 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.

Skills and Physical Abilities

• 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 geographical jurisdiction of the City and for both Police and Fire Department zones.
• Knowledge of FCC laws, regulations, procedures and practices applicable to basic radio-telephone 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 in accordance with agency policies and state and federal regulation.
• Ability to operate the E911 system following established procedures and routing calls if necessary to the proper authorities.
• Ability to multi-task, to hear, interpret and give both verbal and written instructions at the same time.
• 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.
• Skill to accomplish tasks in a controlled, effective manner while working under stress.
• Manual dexterity to operate computers and other office equipment is required.
• Proficiency in computer software and the ability to adapt to other software programs with ease.

Special Requirements

• Possession of and ability to maintain a valid Florida driver’s license.
• Bi-lingual skills strongly desired.
• Pass the Criticall Test (data entry, decision making, keyboarding, call summarization, memory recall, character comparison, prioritization, spelling, probability, sentence clarity, reading comprehension).
• Pass a personality inventory test.
• Pass a polygraph.
• Pass a medical exam.
• Pass a urinalysis/drug screen.
• Pass 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 crisis.
• Must successfully 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.