COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR TRAINEE

Definition

Under the close supervision of a Communications Operator 3 or other supervisory official in a centralized or regional communications center, as a trainee and productive worker, learns to perform varied types of communications work; learns to monitor and operate radio, telephone, and electronic equipment; learns to receive various types of emergent and non-emergent calls, transmit alarms and radio communications, and dispatch personnel to appropriate locations; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Under close supervision, as a trainee and productive worker:
• Learns to receive fire calls, transmit fire alarms, and dispatch personnel and fire equipment, as required.
• Learns to receive emergent and non-emergent calls and radio transmissions from the public, Safety Service Patrol, divisions within the department, and other departments/agencies and contacts the appropriate party for NJSP emergency alerts (blue, silver, and amber), police emergencies, motor vehicle accidents, motorist aides, road and lane closures, hazmat response, maintenance information, towing, potholes, debris, animal carcass removal, overgrown vegetation and trees, signs, spills, snow, ice, traffic signal malfunctions and knockdowns, etc.
• Upon receiving a complaint of an environmental and/or health hazard, learns to complete an Incident Notification Report form and notify appropriate officials, first responders, and pertinent federal, state, county, and/or local authorities, under supervision.
• Learns to operate radio equipment in accordance with FCC regulations and standard operating procedures, and receive and transmit radio communications to law enforcement agencies, first responders, and others for appropriate action.
• Learns to operate an aircraft and vehicle tracking system, computerized phone and recording system, and emergency electronic notification system(s).
• Learns to determine the correct location of the reported incident and whether the nature of the call is emergent or non-emergent to appropriately prioritize and initiate the needed services for the incident.
• Learns to make entries, inquiries, cancellations, and modifications of records in the National Crime Information Center and the State Crime Information Center, the Stolen Vehicle file, Stolen License Plate file, Stolen/Missing Gun file, Stolen Article file, Wanted Person file, Stolen/Embezzled/Counterfeited/ Missing Securities file, the Stolen Boat file and other systems for law enforcement agencies of the state.
• Learns to coordinate efforts with the appropriate Mobility Operations Center regarding motor vehicle accidents, traffic signal malfunctions and knockdowns, hazardous material spills, road and lane closures, and emergent incidents.
• Learns to interact with the public and/or government (federal, state, county, local) officials requesting department assistance.
• Learns to monitor the status of the responders and equipment until the incident has been cleared and/or work has been completed.
• Learns to utilize computer-aided dispatch and/or data processing or computer equipment in receiving and sending messages to state and out-of-state law enforcement agencies; learns to create incidents in the computer-aided dispatch system.
• Learns to receive and answer telephone, radio, and electronic inquiries of the National Crime Information Center and State Crime Information Center for law enforcement agencies of the state.
• Learns to receive and record telephone complaints and requests from the public and/or other agencies for environmental protection and police assistance, rescue/emergency medical services, and learns to dispatch rescue/emergency medical services to desired locations.
• Learns to receive confidential and sensitive law enforcement information in a professional and courteous manner, creating an accurate record of information provided to aid in the investigation and apprehension of violators and/or handling of the incident.
• Learns to provide information upon request in accordance with established procedures and regulations.
• Learns to generate reports, statistical data, and other information; learns to prepare and maintain essential records and files, and the official station records and log, as required.
• May be called upon to act as a witness at hearings or in court, and give testimony under oath.
• Learns to maintain a daily electronic radio log of all incoming/outgoing communications.
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Requirements

<b>LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:</b>

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of filing and other office routines.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor while working with a sense of urgency to complete assigned tasks during stressful incidents.
• Ability to strictly adhere to established procedures, protocols, and work in a law enforcement agency or other communication unit/center.
• Ability to learn the federal Incident Management System terminology and procedures, and ability to conduct work in accordance with same.
• Ability to learn to appropriately use scientific terms, chemical names, abbreviations, units of measure, and related vocabulary.
• Ability to learn to use appropriate techniques to calm distressed callers, gain control of the conversation, gather necessary information, and create an accurate report to forward to decision makers and first responders.
• Ability to learn to coordinate and interact with others in response to emergent and non-emergent incidents.
• Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to learn geographic areas of the state and names of locations and facilities.
• Ability to learn to operate computer-aided dispatch and other computer equipment and programs used in receiving and sending electronic messages.
• Ability to learn to make entries and changes in records of the National Crime Information and State Crime Information Centers and in other data files.
• Ability and willingness to work on any assigned shift to include weekends and holidays, times of inclement weather, and natural, man-made, and technological disasters.
• Ability to learn to receive and transmit radio, telephone, and electronic communications to law enforcement agencies and first responders in a concise and brief manner.
• Ability to learn to determine the nature of the calls for emergent and non-emergent services, initiate the appropriate action, and to monitor the status of the responders and equipment until the incident has been cleared and/or work completed.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all personally identifiable information and/or police sensitive information received in the course of official duties.
• Ability to use a keyboard and mouse to navigate programs and enter information with skill, speed, and accuracy.
• Ability to act with discretion and empathy when dealing with sensitive information and situations.
• Ability to learn to prepare factual reports in appropriate form.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files in accordance with established procedures.
• Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• <b>ADVANCEMENT:</b>
• Appointees who successfully complete the twelve (12) month training period will be eligible for advancement to the Communications Operator 1, Communications Operator 1 Environmental Protection, Communications Operator Secured Facilities, or Communications Operator Department of Corrections titles in accordance with the New Jersey Civil Service Commission procedures.
• The inability of an employee in this trainee title to complete the required ICS training and/or attain a level of performance warranting advancement to the titles listed above shall be considered as cause for separation.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Appointees must successfully complete IS-100.c: Introduction to the Incident Command System training within one (1) year of appointment. (Completion of this training is not required for employees advancing to the Communications Operator Secured Facilities and Communications Operator Department of Corrections titles).

The responsibility for ensuring that employees complete the required training rests with the Appointing Authority.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.