SHERIFF'S OFFICE - CIVILIAN COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST, TRAINEE

About the role

The Civilian Communication Specialist, Trainee, maintains communication between the Sheriff's Department personnel, the public, and other law enforcement and fire agencies; coordinates emergency and non-emergency response of law enforcement, fire and medical services to the community; while in training, receives and reports information by radio, computer, and telephone; performs a variety of duties including updating records and reports; and to perform other related duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Receives and responds to routine and emergency calls and dispatches the appropriate communications by means of telecommunication, computer, and radio equipment during the assigned shift.
• Inputs calls-for-service into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System; updates the system with status of law enforcement or fire units and records activities during calls and forwards to the appropriate agency.
• Obtains, interprets, classifies, and prioritizes pertinent information for business and non-emergency calls, regarding complaints, reports, and inquiries from the general public by telephone.
• Operates, maintains and reports equipment malfunctions on a variety of communications equipment including radio consoles, data communication terminals, telephones and including and Teletype writer Device for the Deaf (TDD/TTY) workstation; computer printer/cartridge.
• Provides information to law enforcement and fire personnel expeditiously; interprets and/or clarifies coded responses from various systems for law enforcement and fire personnel; contacts other agencies to coordinate public safety and/or mutual aid operations.
• Maintains computer data and logs to include: long distance telephone calls, vehicle repossessions, and code watch reports.
• Operates the Texas and National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS/NLETS) equipment which is linked to Austin, Texas.
• This enables the entry, removal and inquiry on stolen vehicles/articles, missing/wanted persons and vehicle registrations.
• TCIC/NCIC (Texas Crimes Information Center/ National Crimes Information Center) hit confirmations, verifying local warrants, preparing and sending administrative messages via teletype, issue case numbers, modify records for validation purposes to ensure accuracy of all records entered for the El Paso County Sheriff's Office and other criminal justice agencies.
• Dispatches appropriate units by radio, MCT (Mobile Computer Terminal) and/or E911 paging system and relays all necessary information concerning nature and location of the emergency; coordinates communications for multi-unit responses in emergencies, disasters, criminal situations or pursuits.
• As directed contacts special teams, investigators, private citizens or supervisors.
• Assists in maintaining records of call locations, nature of call, time of call, units dispatched and disposition of calls.
• As directed advises all units of all special broadcasts concerning wanted subjects within their jurisdictions.
• Assists, prepares, codes, compiles, records and summarizes a variety of record data, documents, and items of special interest.
• Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts.
• Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

  Requirements

  • High school diploma or general education degree (GED)/some college courses preferred, with one (1) year of experience involving public contact.
  • Some work experience in a public safety agency is desirable.
  • Desired: Experience in Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management Systems.
  • Current TCLEOSE Telecommunication Certificate.
  • Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  • Certificates And Licenses Required:
    • National Crimes Information Center (NCIC) / Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) / Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) / National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) certification.
    • Crisis Communication Certification; Basic Telecommunications Certification; All courses must be passed, including a State Examination, within 1 year of hire which are provided in house.
    • A Telecommunicators License will be issued by TCOLE upon successful completion of the State Examination.

  Qualifications

  • Knowledge of: Modern office practices, procedures and methods including computer keyboard operation; modern filing and indexing methods; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; Techniques for effective interpersonal communications.
  • Strong knowledge in computer software in desirable.

  Skills

  • Learns the operation of the current computer system, telecommunications and radio communications equipment, and other software used by the Sheriff's office; including the 911 and TDD telephone; type at a speed of 32 words per minute from clear copy; learn and operate the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System and Records Management System (RMS) programs; learn the County streets, parks, major landmarks and City limits; think logically and act quickly; work under stress and maintain composure while performing several functions simultaneously; take appropriate action in stressful or emergency situations; extract critical information from incoming calls; determine law enforcement welfare from voice inflection; anticipate their personal needs for assistance; speak over the radio and telephone quickly and clearly; be easily understood and comprehend at the level required for the job; use courtesy, tact and firmness in dealing with the public; project a calm and reasoning demeanor while dealing with irate or emotionally distraught people; understand and carry out oral and written instructions precisely; maintain confidentiality of information; adapt quickly to a variety of personalities and situations; establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; read and interpret documents such as rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; speak effectively in English and Spanish.

  Benefits

  • Holidays: 16 holidays per year as recognized.
  • Vacation: Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 6 months of continuous service. Year to year carry-over accruals are limited to twice the employee's annual rate. Part-time employees accrue vacation at half the rate of full-time employees.
  • Sick Leave: Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 3 months of full time service. Employees accrue 15 days of sick leave per year.
  • Retirement: Regular employees become a member of TCDRS upon hire. All regular employees are required to contribute 7% to the retirement fund and the County matches 250% upon eligible retirements.
  • Deferred Compensation: Employees may defer earnings, on a pre-tax basis, into a 457 deferred compensation program. This is an optional program.
  • Lifetime Insurance: Full-time County employees are provided a basic life insurance benefit of $10,000 life insurance at no cost. Supplemental coverage is available for additional fees.
  • Long-term Disability: The Long-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period above 90 days.
  • Short-term Disability: The Short-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period shorter than 90 days.
  • Retiree Health Insurance: Employees who retire from the County are eligible to continue Health Insurance at the rate set by the El Paso County Risk Pool Board.
  • Employee Assistance Program: Provides a variety of counseling services.
  • Section 125 Medical & Dependent Care Program: Provides a method to pay medical and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
  • Healthy Lifestyle Reimbursement: Reimbursement of $15 per month for 6 months of continuous gym usage.
  • Education Assistance Program (EdAP): Reimbursement up to $2000 per calendar year for eligible education expenses.
  • Employee Fitness and Wellness Center: The Employee Fitness and Wellness Center opened in October 2021 at the County Courthouse. The cost is $5 per employee per month.

  Additional Information

  • Other Important Duties*: Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.
  • Work various shifts and weekends.
  • As members of the El Paso County Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

  Application Instructions

  • Do you possess a current Driver's License or can you obtain one by date of hire, proof of Automobile Liability Insurance, and driving record in accordance with El Paso's County Vehicle use and Traffic Accident policy?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Are you a U.S. citizen?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Are you currently under indictment for a criminal offense?
  • YES
  • NO
  • Are you a current El Paso County Employee?
  • YES
  • No
  • Have you been convicted of a misdemeanor offense in the last five years?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Have you ever been convicted of ANY family violence offense?
  • YES
  • No
  • Have you been convicted of a felony offense in the last ten years?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Are you bilingual in English and Spanish?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Which of the following best describes the highest level of education?
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Associate's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • Doctoral Degree
  • Which of the following best describes your experience involving public contact?
  • No Experience
  • Less than 1 year of experience
  • 1 to less than 2 years of experience
  • 2 to less than 3 years of experience
  • 3 or more years of experience