Job description

The Town of North Andover is accepting applications for the position of:

PART-TIME COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Minimum of 32 hours per month

Department: North Andover Police Department

Compensation: $22.95 per hour

Benefits Eligibility: Not Eligible for Fringe Benefits (e.g., Health, Dental etc.)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Communications Officers are responsible for coordinating a prompt and efficient response to requests for police services by the efficient and diligent manner in which they dispatch messages to field units. The Communications Officer has primary responsibility for the initial deployment of personnel and equipment subject to the provisions of the applicable written directives. By following established procedures and employing comment sense, they provide aid and support to the personnel for the Police Department by ensuring that messages are relayed in a clear, concise, and timely manner.

Communications Officers shall maintain accurate and uniform documentation of all dispatched activity through proper utilization of the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, and shall be fully familiar with the procedure for all other data recording and entry responsibilities assigned to the Communications Section. The Communications Officer maintains and retrieves records, files, and information for prompt dissemination to patrol units and departmental personnel.

Communications Officers work under the direct supervision of the Officer-in-Charge of the shift and under the general supervision of and control of the Director of Administrative Services Division. Communications Officers shall successfully complete a background investigation and CJIS training, testing, and certification in accordance with CHSB regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Be thoroughly familiar with the department’s procedures relating to the use of the telephone, radio, and other communications equipment.
• Answer all incoming calls promptly and appropriately and assist all callers in a calm, courteous, and professional manner. When multiple telephone calls are received, service them using a priority based on the nature and severity of the requested service.
• Receive and process all Emergency 9-1-1 telephone calls; dispatch appropriate response units; and transfer to other appropriate agencies those calls that fall more appropriately within their jurisdiction or the services they provide.
• Obtain all necessary information from telephone callers, identify the calls, and obtain call back telephone numbers whenever possible. If necessary and possible, keep callers on the line when their continued assistant would be beneficial to personnel responding to an incident or call for service.
• Be familiar with emergency procedures that relate to matters requiring urgent police and fire attention so as to be capable of activating them immediately.
• Dispatch all police personnel to calls for service, as needed. Conduct all radio transmissions according to the rules of the Federal Communications Commission and the established procedures of the Police Department. Dispatch all necessary personnel and equipment according to the nature and severity of the calls for service.
• Acquire a thorough knowledge of the location and layout of streets, building, parks, housing areas and any other significant areas of the community so as to maximize the accuracy and speed of dispatch.
• Maintain constant and diligent monitoring of the communications and CAD system and immediately respond to all requests for assistance or serve form field units.
• Completely and properly record all calls for service from field units.
• Maintain and update the CAD system status screen, indicating the availability of police units.
• Become and remain familiar with the procedures for computer operation, data entry, data retrieval, and data modification capabilities for the in-house and LEAPS computer systems.
• Respond to Police requests for information concerning warrants, missing persons, stolen moto vehicles, motor vehicle listing, stolen property, domestic 209A restraining orders, and other information.
• Disseminate police information concerning wanted persons, stolen vehicles, missing persons, and other police information as may be received by the LEAPS computer system, telephone radio or other means.
• Keep personnel who have been dispatched on calls fully informed of all facts affecting their safety and efficiency of their repose to the call.
• Inform the Officer-in-Charge of any unusual or serios occurrences that may develop concerning police personnel, incident, or calls for service. Inform the Office-in-Charge of any deployment of police officers beyond their regularly assigned route or area.
• Be responsible for monitoring the CJIS compute system for incoming messages and monitoring the closed-circuit television system in order to ensure station security.
• Enter records, including but not limited to all stolen vehicles, missing persons, warrants, Board of Probation checks, administrative messages and articles (weapons, stolen property, etc.,) when requested or in accordance with department policy.
• Maintain equipment, especially the emergency call lines in working order and immediately report any malfunction or defect to the appropriate authority.
• Record all significant communications as required by departmental procedures. Maintain the departmental daily log ensuring and accurate recording of all calls received or other significant events.
• Maintain a log of all vehicles to be towed by the department according to established procedures. Enter the information into the CAD and LEAPS computer systems when appropriate.
• Render assistance to members of the general public who make inquiries at the Police Station. When necessary, take telephone reports which may include recovered stolen motor vehicle reports, general information reports, and other minor incidents when so directed by a supervisor.
• Make telephone notifications to citizens and business owners regarding such matters as open doors to their business and homes, vandalism to their premises or vehicles, and/or to ask other questions regarding police related incidents and/or suspicious conditions.
• Transfer all calls for personnel by proper use of the telephone system. Always attempt to take and relay messages for individuals who are not available to answer their telephone.
• Properly reroute calls for service when the offense or incident occurred in another jurisdiction.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned or required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or an equivalency certificate issued by the Massachusetts Department of Education. Experience dealing with and speaking to the public is required. Computer skills are essential. The successful completion of a background investigation is required. Candidates must have or be able to obtain the following certifications: LEAPS/CJIS Terminal Operator, E-911, and APCO Basic Telecommunications.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

Require Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

● Sufficient knowledge of the principles involved in the operation of radio, telephone and
related communications equipment to allow for the proper operation of these systems.

● Operation and functions of department computer equipment as well as the skills and
abilities to operate this equipment under emergency circumstances.

● Street system and the geography of the North Andover area as well as the ability to
direct individuals to locations within the community.

● Speak clearly and concisely and to provide detailed information/instructions to
personnel/citizens under stressful circumstances.

● Possess emotional stability and the ability to work in a stressful, highly responsible
environment.

● Think and act quickly, calmly, and accurately in an emergency situation.

● Type accurately at a reasonable rate of speed.

Skills in:

● Develop within a reasonable period of time, skills and speed in the operations of the
communications equipment and to demonstrate a knowledge of public safety practices
and procedures.

● Understand and follow complex oral and written instructions.

● Use keyboard and utilize standard computer equipment.

● Utilize standard telephone systems.

● View monitoring equipment within the communications center.

● Knowledge of warrants of arrest and related items sufficient to allow for confirmation of wanted persons.

● Ability to sit for lengthy periods of time.

Ability to:

● Knowledge of departmentrecords system.

● Knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to prepare police reports.

● Project confidence to the public.

● Quickly and accurately evaluate situations and provide for the proper response or course of action.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job posting does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Selections shall be made on the basis of qualifications, ability, and dependability. Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview, reference check, and job-related tests may be required.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume by email. Please visit https://www.northandoverma.gov/human-resources/pages/employment-opportunities to access the posting and application instructions.

Applicants will be required to undergo an extensive background check including CORI screening.

The position will remain open until filled.

Applicants will be notified of their standing in the process as soon as a decision has been made regarding their individual application. Individuals who need accommodations in order to participate in this process should contact the Human Resources Department at (978) 688-9526.

Questions regarding this hiring process should be addressed to: Human Resources Department, Town of North Andover, 120 Main Street, North Andover, MA 01845, (978) 688-9526

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $22.95 per hour

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• North Andover, MA 01845: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

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