COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

About the role

The City of Burbank is currently hiring for Communications Operator positions. This role involves answering emergency (911) and non-emergency phone lines, maintaining contact with law enforcement personnel and other City units in the field, dispatching appropriate units or equipment in response to emergency and other calls received through the Burbank Police Department (BPD) Communications Center. Essential functions include serving as an Operator in the BPD Communications Center on a shift basis, receiving calls, dispatching and recording appropriate law enforcement and other equipment, maintaining contact with units, operating emergency (911) telephone system, sending and receiving computer messages, operating a computer terminal to enter, modify, or retrieve data, maintaining a current log of all information received and transmitted, preparing required reports and summaries of Communications Center activities, performing miscellaneous clerical work, composing and typing log sheets as required, and driving on City business.

Responsibilities

• Serves as an Operator in the BPD Communications Center on a shift basis
• Receives calls, dispatches and records appropriate law enforcement and other equipment to respond to reported emergencies in the field
• Maintains contact with units at all times during shift assignment in order to send needed or requested assistance in event of emergency
• Maintains a continuous record of the status of mobile units indicating the disposition of each unit by mechanical or other means
• Operates emergency (911) telephone system
• Sends and receives computer messages and routes same to appropriate destination
• Operates a computer terminal to enter, modify, or retrieve data
• Maintains a current log of all information received and transmitted
• Prepares required reports and summaries of Communications Center activities
• Performs miscellaneous clerical work
• May compose and type log sheets as required
• May drive on City business

Requirements

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures involved in public safety communications work
• Effective customer service techniques
• Spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission covering the operation of radio receivers and transmitters
• Knowledge of the policies and procedures of the Communications Center, BPD General Orders, and City Administrative Procedures
• Knowledge of California Penal and Vehicle Codes, the City’s Municipal Code, and BPD CAD system
• Ability to learn the proper use and care of radio communications equipment
• Communication skills, both oral and in writing
• Thinking clearly and acting quickly in emergencies
• Ability to maintain accurate records
• Ability to simultaneously receive, dispatch, and record information utilizing a database system
• Ability to work rotating shifts
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow employees, and the public

Qualifications

• High school graduation or equivalent
• One year of recent full-time experience in customer service, clerical work, or emergency services dispatch/radio communications work
• Ability to type 40 net words per minute
• Peace Officer Standards and Training-certified (POST-certified) Public Safety Dispatch Basic Course Certificate within one year of appointment

Skills

• Computer skills
• Customer service skills
• Emergency response coordination
• Log maintenance
• Radio communication operations
• Report preparation
• Shift work capability

Benefits

The City of Burbank offers POST pay for Communications Operators in the Police Department. The pay rates are as follows: Intermediate POST Certificate: 3%, Advanced POST Certificate: 4%, Supervisory POST Certificate: 5%, up to 5% total (percentages do not add together as employees obtain additional POST Certificates).

Pay

Effective the beginning of the pay period immediately following Council adoption, Communications Operators in the Police Department are eligible to receive POST pay as follows: Intermediate POST Certificate: 3%, Advanced POST Certificate: 4%, Supervisory POST Certificate: 5%, up to 5% total (percentages do not add together as employees obtain additional POST Certificates).

Schedule

Rotating shifts are required for this position.