COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR, SECURED FACILITIES
Communications Operator, Secured Facilities is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
What it takes is 1 year of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $50,059 to $72,550, and state payroll currently lists about 16 people in the title, most of them at Juvenile Justice Commission.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Communications Operator, Secured Facilities appears on the State payroll at one department, Juvenile Justice Commission.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Juvenile Justice Commission | 16 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 16 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $65,750. The agencies employing the most are:
- Juvenile Justice Commission (16)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction of a custody supervisor or other supervisory official in the Department of Corrections, the Juvenile Justice Commission, or County Corrections Facility, performs a variety of technical, clerical, and communications functions, receives/transmits emergency and nonemergency radio and telephone messages, assists in the mail processing, collection, and distribution system within the institution, and under supervision of the operations officer, develops and adjusts daily work schedules for custody staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Receives and transmits a variety of calls/messages utilizing radio and telephone systems.
- Records calls broadcasted.
- Records and maintains information/data involving daily operations as requested by supervisory personnel (for example, inmate counts, unusual incidents, incoming/outgoing communications, and so forth).
- Enters and/or sends information using manual or computerized record keeping systems and updates records.
- Receives calls regarding emergency situations, determines nature or location of emergency assistance calls, and notifies appropriate personnel using predetermined codes.
- Determines nature of incoming calls and routes to proper area.
- Places calls to obtain emergency assistance.
- Dispatches emergency personnel or equipment.
- Provides information on request in accord with established procedures/regulations.
- Issues and receives keys, paychecks, mail, and other items.
- Opens and closes security doors/gates and distributes security and other equipment other than firearms, chemical agents, or mechanical restraints under supervision of a custodial supervisor.
- Under supervision of the operations officer, develops and adjusts regular/special work schedules for custody staff; checks leave requests, and informs supervisor if action may be necessary to ensure adequate post coverage and takes action as instructed.
- Maintains lists for voluntary/involuntary overtime.
- Receives tardiness/absence calls from employees and reports information to appropriate personnel.
- May assist in updating leave time balances.
- Reviews schedules and other documentation to identify/resolve questions regarding time and attendance records.
- Operates and adjusts radio equipment and inspects equipment to ensure proper functioning, and notifies appropriate personnel of problems with communications systems.
- Receives, sorts, opens, and distributes incoming mail within the institution and maintains schedules of deliveries.
- Collects and sorts outgoing mail for delivery to the US Post Office and maintains schedules of collections and deliveries.
- Maintains, repairs, and adjusts mail processing machinery/equipment.
- Maintains records of postal fees including metered postal accounts, special handling/delivery items, air mail, registered mail, and other postage accounts.
- Prepares reports of unit activities.
- Maintains records and files.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
One (1) year of experience in work involving the receiving, transmitting, and relaying of radio messages and the performance of clerical or secretarial tasks.
License
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 essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of methods for operating a centralized radio communication system.
- Knowledge of methods for operating a centralized telephone communication system.
- Knowledge of procedures for dispatching emergency and nonemergency equipment and personnel.
- Ability to operate computer terminals.
- Ability to communicate orally.
- Ability to follow oral or written orders, directions, or plans.
- Ability to compare numerical, written, or printed material for accuracy.
- Ability to interact with various people who are in differing situations.
- Ability to apply laws, rules, or regulations to given situations.
- Ability to keep accurate records.
- Ability to provide clear instruction/guidance to callers in emergency situations.
- Ability to file using manual and/or computerized filing or data management systems.
- Ability to relay instructions or questions accurately/clearly.
- Ability 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 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 as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- CODES: 14/O15 - MCK 12/13/03 LG -
- This job specification is for state and local government use.
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.