Public Safety Communications Specialist

About the role

The City of McKinney seeks individuals to join its Communications Department. This position involves answering emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatching public safety personnel, and operating various telecommunications equipment.

Responsibilities

• Answer multi-line, 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls
• Dispatch and deploy public safety personnel to calls for service
• Operate multi-channel public safety radio system
• Communicate effectively with the public and departmental personnel
• Document all activity in the computer-aided dispatch system
• Comprehend and apply city ordinances, policies, and procedures
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all documents and sensitive information

Requirements

• A high school diploma or GED
• Experience in a high public contact/customer service area
• Some experience in a multi-task environment involving data entry, phones, customer service, and/or radio communications
• Lateral transfer opportunities for those with two (2) years of experience in any combination of Police, Fire, EMS, Military or other high-volume applicable dispatch environment
• Must obtain Basic Telecommunicator and NCIC/TCIC or Full Access Operator plus Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) within one year from hire date

Qualifications

• Must pass a drug screen and background check, driving record check, polygraph, psychological assessment, and medical screen to include hearing test
• Must have Class C Texas Driver’s License
• Must be able to work various shifts including nights, holidays, and weekends

Skills

• Ability to embrace and embody the City’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (R.I.S.E.)
• Ability to communicate effectively with peers, supervisors, subordinates, and people to whom service is provided
• Ability to produce desired work outcomes, including quality, quantity, and timeliness
• Ability to plan and organize work, time, and resources, and if applicable, that of subordinates
• Speak clearly and precisely
• Work well under pressure
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations
• Operate computer terminals for specialized access with various automated data banks
• Concentrate on assigned tasks through many distractions
• Operate wide range of equipment, e.g. door monitors and locks, printers, voice recorder, intercoms, alarm panel, weather monitoring devices, television monitors, etc.

Benefits

• Must pass a drug screen and background check, driving record check, polygraph, psychological assessment, and medical screen to include hearing test
• Must have Class C Texas Driver’s License
• Must be able to work various shifts including nights, holidays, and weekends

Pay

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Shifts may vary and include nights, weekends, and holidays.