Telecommunicator/Trainee

Salary: $17.85 – $23.78 Hourly

Location : Baytown, TX

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 24-00013

Department: Police

Division: Communications

Opening Date: 10/06/2023

Closing Date: Continuous

Job Summary

We are currently seeking a Telecommunicator/Trainee to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for answering emergency calls and dispatching appropriate resources. Training will be provided to ensure you are equipped with the necessary skills to perform the job effectively. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential for success in this position.

Full Benefits Package Including:

• Paid holiday, vacation & sick leave to support your work/life balance
• Insurance options
• Free employee clinic for medical coverage participants
• TMRS retirement with 14% City contribution
• Mental health and financial education benefits
• And much more!

The Telecommunicator/Trainee is responsible for receiving and answering emergency and non-emergency calls for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services as well as city animal control and utilities service; identifies and dispatches appropriate public safety units; Because of the confidential and sensitive nature of information handled, you must comply with City and Baytown Police policies and procedures to ensure the safety of all public safety responders and the public.

Duties

• Complete and maintain all testing, training and certifications as required by Baytown Public Safety Communications.
• Receive and transmit telephone and radio emergency calls, as well as non-emergency calls/complaints/inquiries from the public.
• Operate two-way radios, multi-line phone and teletype systems, computers and other complex equipment to quickly and correctly access information and respond to requests from law enforcement, fire and EMS.
• Evaluate and prioritize calls based on urgency.
• React quickly and correctly to emergency situations.
• Operate computer systems including computer aided dispatch (CAD) with mapping.
• Apply detailed procedures and policies from both structured situations, such as emergency medical dispatch / emergency fire dispatch (EMD & EFD), and in non-routine situations that require independent judgement, critical thinking and application of varied procedures and policies.
• In an extreme emergency the telecommunicator may not be able to leave their position for an extended period of time.
• Performs all transactions as needed into local, state, and national Crime Information databases as dictated by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Transactions include, but are not limited to:
  • Hit confirmations, locate, entries, clearances, cancellations, administrative messages
• Maintains proficiency and complete continuing education requirements mandated including, but not limited to:
  • TCOLE license
  • Call-taking protocol certifications
• Reviews and maintains knowledge of all policies, procedures, memoranda, or directives that govern and regulate the operations of the Communications Division.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

TELECOMMUNICATOR TRAINEE (STARTING SALARY: $17.85/hr with potential to promote to Telecommunicator upon receipt of TCOLE Basic Telecommunicator Certification and one year related experience.)

REQUIRED:

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Ability to obtain a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Basic (or higher) Telecommunicator Certification within one (1) year of employment.
• One (1) year of related customer service experience.

PREFERRED:

• One (1) year of related experience with extensive public contact or customer service which involving the operation of a multi-line phone system or radio communication system.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass CritiCall test, a complete criminal history background check, a polygraph and psychological screening with acceptable results.
• Must be able to submit any and all required documentation as applicable, including High School Diploma/Equivalent, College Diploma, Birth Certificate, Completed waivers, etc.
• Subject to random drug tests, including pre-employment.

TELECOMMUNICATOR (STARTING SALARY: $19.02 – $23.78/hr depending on experience)

REQUIRED:

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Possession of a state Basic (or higher) Telecommunicator Certification. Ability to obtain a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Basic (or higher) Telecommunicator Certification within one (1) year of employment.
• One (1) year of related customer service experience.

PREFERRED:

• One (1) year of related experience with extensive public contact or customer service which involves the operation of a multi-line phone system or radio communication system.
• Possession of a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Basic (or higher) Telecommunicator Certification.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass CritiCall test, a complete criminal history background check, a polygraph and psychological screening with acceptable results.
• Must be able to submit any and all required documentation as applicable, including High School Diploma/Equivalent, College Diploma, Birth Certificate, Completed waivers, etc.
• Subject to random drug tests, including pre-employment.

Additional Information
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Skill operating all software and hardware related to performance of duties, including typing and keyboarding skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, citizens and other agencies in order to give and receive information in a courteous and professional manner, including the ability to hear accurately, listen carefully, speak clearly, write clearly and spell correctly.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality on all emergency and police matters.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, superiors, agencies, government entities and the public.
• Ability to deal courteously and firmly with the general public.
• Ability to think quickly, work under stressful conditions and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work any and all shifts, including dayshift, nightshift and overtime, on both a mandatory and voluntary basis.
• Ability to attend training sessions that may occasionally require out of town travel
• Visual acuity
• Ability to remember and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to sit for long periods of time
• Ability to remain calm while dealing with frightened, hysterical or angry callers

Attendance is an essential function of this position. The City reserves the right to require an employee in this position to work overtime. This position provides services or performs duties for the benefit of the general public during emergency situations. These may include services or duties different from those performed in the usual course and scope of your job. In the event of an evacuation, the incumbent in this position may be required to remain to perform needed services.

Overall Position Strength Demands
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

How to Apply

01

Do you possess a High School Diploma and/or GED equivalency?

• Yes
• No

02

If you have acquired any education in addition to a ‘High School Diploma or GED’ in the question above, please enter your trade, certification, or degree information. If this does not apply, please type N/A

03

How many years of Telecommunicator/Emergency Dispatch Communications work do you possess?

• None
• Less than 6 months
• 6 months to 1 year
• 1 to 3 years
• More than 3 years

04

How many years of experience do you have operating a multiple line phone system?

• None
• Less than 6 months
• 6 months to 1 year
• 1 to 3 years
• More than 3 years

05

How many years of radio dispatching experience do you possess?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 5+ years

06

Which of the following Telecommunicator Proficiency Certificates, as defined and required or issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, do you actively hold or have held before?

• None
• Valid – Basic Telecommunicator Proficiency Certificate from TCOLE
• Valid – Intermediate Telecommunicator Proficiency Certificate from TCOLE
• Valid – Advanced Telecommunicator Proficiency Certificate from TCOLE
• Valid – Master Telecommunicator Proficiency Certificate from TCOLE
• Expired – Basic Telecommunicator Proficiency Certificate from TCOLE
• Expired – Intermediate Telecommunicator Proficiency Certificate from TCOLE
• Expired – Advanced Telecommunicator Proficiency Certificate from TCOLE
• Expired – Master Telecommunicator Proficiency Certificate from TCOLE

07

If you are bilingual in which language are you most proficient?

• I am not bilingual
• Spanish
• Vietnamese
• Chinese
• French
• Urdu
• Other
• American Sign Language

08

Are you able to work 12-hour shifts, day shift, night shift, weekends, holidays, as well as mandatory overtime as required? Please note, requested shift assignment cannot be guaranteed.

• Yes
• No

09

The purpose of the following questions is to assist the City of Baytown in determining if you meet the minimum standards set for the Texas Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Systems Access Policy and the standards of the Baytown Police Department. The ability to meet the standards and access CJIS systems is a requirement of the job. Read each of the following questions carefully. These questions will be asked again during a detailed interview with an investigator, then verified by a polygraph examination. Answer each question truthfully. Failure to answer any question and any false answer knowingly given is just cause for denying or terminating your application from further processing. Please enter your initials below to acknowledge you understand the directions given.

10

Have you ever been convicted of or received deferred adjudication for a Class A Misdemeanor?

• Yes
• No

11

Have you ever been convicted of or received deferred adjudication for a Class B Misdemeanor?

• Never
• Yes, within the last 10 years.
• Yes, more than 10 years ago.

12

Have you ever been convicted of or received deferred adjudication for a Felony?

• Yes
• No

13

Have you ever been indicted for any criminal offense?

• Yes
• No

14

Have you ever been convicted of a Family Violence Crime?

• Yes
• No

15

Please mark any of the following illegal drugs or substances you have ever used, experimented with, or tried in any quantity:

• a. None of the listed illegal drugs or substances
• Marijuana
• Hashish
• Speed
• Heroin
• L.S.D.
• Cocaine
• P.C.P
• “XTC” or Extasy
• Peyote
• Mushrooms (psilocybin)
• Quaalude
• Tranquilizer
• Any designer drugs

16

For any and ALL of the illegal drugs or substances you marked in the previous question for having ever used, experimented with, or tried in any quantity, please list the name of the drug, the last time used, the total number of times you have used it, and the number of times in the last 12 months you have used the drug(s)/substance(s). If you marked “None of the listed illegal drugs or substances” as your answer for the previous question, please type N/A in the text field below.

Required Question