Communications Specialist Trainee

Human Resources 105 Albright Street, Suite J Taos, New Mexico 87571 Telephone: Facsimile: Email applications to Employment Opportunity Internal/External OPEN UNTIL FILLED JOB TITLE: Communications Specialist Trainee SALARY: $20.43 DEPARTMENT: Emergency Communications POSITION STATUS: FULL-TIME FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt UNION ELIGIBILITY: Eligible I.

Position Function Summary: The purpose of this position is to perform entry level skilled communication and routine clerical work in receiving, recording, processing, transmitting, telephone, radio and alarms system calls; dispatching routine and emergency information/resources; and keeping official records.

Trainee employee has little or no dispatch experience; will be required to obtain NM Law Enforcement Academy Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification within one (1) year of employment and must maintain certifications throughout employment.

Will be required to work on a rotating shift basis, including nights, weekends and holidays; and is subject to recall during emergencies incidents to assist with communications.

Department Job Assignments: This Job Description is intended to be somewhat general in nature with respect to the job family, and as such it does not detail all duties of a particular job assignment.

Additional duties, responsibilities, and accountabilities may be assigned to an employee in this position depending on the Department Job Assignment.

II.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following statements are essential functions of this position and not intended to be all-inclusive; rather, they are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed.

They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the employee, and an employee may be directed to perform other reasonably related job duties and responsibilities.

The incumbent will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties reasonably requested by their supervisor.

Taos County reserves the right to revise or change the job duties and responsibilities as the need arises, based on business need, and this Job Description may be updated accordingly.

This Job Description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Communications Duties: (Will be trained to be proficient in the following): * Receives medical, fire, law enforcement, and related emergency and non-emergency calls for service coming into the Taos County Dispatch center to quickly gather information from callers, while maintaining a professional and calm demeanor.

* Properly utilizes Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to record/log calls, data and all incoming and outgoing radio transmissions and telephone calls.

Accurately enters and maintains logs of radio and telephone communications, location of personnel, equipment, and resources.

* Accurately assesses the nature of the crisis/emergency, the appropriate jurisdiction and services to be rendered, and level/type of response needed; triages and prioritizes action needed to be taken by the appropriate entity or service provider.

* Possess thorough knowledge of the geography of the Town and County, as well as the location of streets, buildings, public safety structures, and landmarks.

* Independently determines, based on local policy and procedure, appropriate jurisdiction and services to be rendered.

* Correctly enters required information using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

* Dispatches appropriate emergency and non-emergency personnel and services in response to each call in a timely manner, and provides complete and accurate information to the responding units.

* Provides pre-arrival instructions to callers on how to deal with emergencies prior to the arrival of response efforts/personnel.

* Performs crisis intervention with distraught emergency callers as needed, during high-risk situations until appropriate emergency field units arrive on scene.

* Interacts with field units professionally over the phone and radio using proper etiquette and utilizing excellent customer service skills.

* Maintains contact with personnel responding to calls, relaying relevant information and providing timely responses to all request for information from authorized personnel and other public safety and law enforcement agencies.

* Monitors all radio traffic while simultaneously listening in the room for pre-alerts to incoming calls, pre-alerting units, and putting units promptly on the scene to maintain system compliance.

* Constantly monitors the system ensuring units are in route to post moves in a timely fashion and making sure other units are within an acceptable distance from post.

* Efficiently operates computer, radio, telephone equipment, may operate pagers; operates a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer; the New Mexico Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NMLETS) system, and other databases to properly assist all personnel and resources, as needed.

* Performs various clerical duties, including but not limited to, completing dispatch logs, correctly documenting incidents and precisely files reports.

Properly maintains and updates files, databases, records and/or other documents; may assist in the development and maintenance of data and may perform routine analyses and calculations in the processing of data for internal reports.

* Routinely monitors and inspects equipment; promptly reports equipment malfunctions to the appropriate supervisor/director and outside resources as required/needed.

* Follow all department and County policies and procedures to assure safety and security is the top priority.

Attend seminars, training, and workshops in communication/safety related topics as needed.

Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information.

* Must maintain a professional telephone and radio demeanor; contribute to a team effort and work well with other employees, responders and the public.

* General Duties and Responsibilities: * Works collaboratively, cooperatively, and in coordination with fellow team members and with others in the organization, treats them with respect, courtesy, and consideration, and shows understanding and the appropriate support of other team members to help get the job done.

* Provides assistance, information, guidance, and resources to diverse groups of customers, clients and others outside of the organization; treats them in a friendly manner with professionalism, helpfulness, respect, courtesy and consideration at all times regardless of circumstances.

* Maintains regular, dependable attendance and punctuality, and physical or virtual presence as may be required at the assigned worksite; must interact directly with people at the worksite on a regular basis.

* Complies with and actively supports all applicable workplace environmental health and safety policies, work rules, and practices, giving maximum effort to performing job functions in a manner that protects the health and safety of the employee, co-workers, and the general public.

* The incumbent in this position may have access to sensitive and proprietary organization data, personal client/customer data, personal employee data, and/or other sensitive information, and an essential job duty is the maintenance of strict confidentiality of such information in accordance with Taos County policy, and federal/state/local laws and regulations (e.g., HIPAA, FACTA, etc.). * Performs other duties as assigned and which are deemed necessary or desirable by Taos County.

III.

CORE TAOS COUNTY VALUES, BEHAVIORS, & COMPETENCIES: As a requirement of their employment, all Taos County employees are expected and required to support and demonstrate Taos County's core values and behaviors, and to perform the essential functions and elements of this position competently.

Employees are expected to demonstrate these values and behaviors through their behavior and performance throughout the course of the introductory period of employment and continuing throughout employment with Taos County.

The values, behaviors, and competencies that need to be demonstrated by all Taos County employees include but are not limited to: * Quality/Compliance: Achieving a standard of excellence with our work processes and outcomes, honoring Taos County policies and all regulatory requirements.

* Customer/Client focus: Striving for high external and internal customer/client satisfaction, going out of our way to be helpful and pleasant, making it as easy as possible on the customer/client, rather than on self, department, or organization.

* Clear Communication: Expresses oneself clearly and effectively when speaking and writing to individuals and groups; listens attentively and ensures all parties involved understand communication; responds in a timely manner using appropriate communication methods.

* Interpersonal Skills: Interacts effectively with others using discretion, empathy and self-regulation when working toward resolution of divergent interests; recognizes and appreciates the quirky or unusual traits of others.

* Professional Expertise: Achieves a proficient level of ability or knowledge in job-related areas; continues to grow with the changing requirements of the job, and maintains an awareness and application Taos County's policies, procedures and objectives in one's effort.

* Adaptability: Adjusts to changing circumstances by altering attitudes and behaviors; displays resilience and flexibility in response to setbacks and stressful situations with energy and optimism.

* Collegiality: Being helpful, respectful, approachable, and team oriented, building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

* Initiative: Takes action to influence events, generate ideas for improvement, takes advantage of opportunities, and does not wait to be told what to do next.

* Efficiency and Continuous Improvement: Planning ahead, managing time well, being on time, being cost conscious, thinking of better ways to do things.

* Coachability: Being receptive to feedback, willing to learn, embracing continuous improvement in personal and professional growth & development, performance, and productivity.

* Team Player: able to work collaboratively with others in the organization, and to work well with diverse groups of people and gain and maintain of respect of others, both inside and outside Taos County.

* Decision Making: Uses sound judgment to make good decisions based on information gathered and considers all pertinent facts and alternatives before deciding.

Commits to decision.

* Performance Standards: Sets and maintains high performance standards.

Pays close attention to detail, accuracy and completeness and follows up on work outputs.

* Problem-Solving: Analyzes problem by gathering and organizing all relevant information.

Identifies cause and effect relationships and comes up with best solution.

* Integrity: Shares complete and accurate information.

Maintains confidentiality and meets own commitments and adheres to organizational policies and procedures.

* Motivation: Displays energy and enthusiasm, commits additional effort, and maintains a high level of productivity and self-direction.

IV.

POSITION AUTHORITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES: General: Position has low level of line responsibility and minimal authority to make independent decisions over an assigned function.

A person in this position seldom takes responsibility for a key operation or function due to their level of accountability.

Budgetary/Financial Authority and Accountability: Position has low to no level of accountability for budgetary or financial decisions, and decisions will have a low level of impact on resource utilization within Taos County.

Not responsible for impact on an operating budget for the Department.

Equipment/Asset/Material Authority and Accountability: Position has a low level responsibility for equipment & other assets, materials, and supplies; proper utilization is required plus accountability for first-level maintenance may be required.

V.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS: Fair Labor Standards Act Provisions: This position is non-exempt under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is subject to the organization's policies and procedures pertaining to overtime hours.

Independence of Action; Supervision Received: The Communication Specialist Trainee works under general supervision of the Lead Communication Specialist and/or the Emergency Communication Supervisor.

Employee works alongside Lead Communications Specialist on routine work and is monitored by supervisor while in training prior to certification.

Production generally precedes a check on the quality control.

Established methods and procedures are clearly established, and general instructions provided.

Supervision Exercised: The Communication Specialist Trainee is responsible for own work and has no supervisory authority or responsibility.

Coordination and Cooperation with Internal and External Parties: Internal: Responds to requests for information from the Emergency Communication Supervisor; and works with other department staff on issues and special projects that may have a moderate impact on provision of Taos County's programs and services.

External: Employee has a minimal amount of independent contact with external parties.

Under direction of the Emergency Communication Supervisor or Lead Communication Specialist, may work with external vendors, applicants, agencies, and others to provide accurate services.

VI.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: As a requirement of their employment, all Taos County employees are expected and required to perform the essential functions and elements of this position competently, demonstrating adequate progress throughout the course of the training and introductory period of employment and continuing throughout employment with Taos County.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience: Required: * High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence). * At least two (2) years of work experience in basic computer skills.

Preferred: * One (1) year of relevant emergency communication/dispatch experience.

Substitution: * Additional education or professional training may substitute for experience requirement.

Language Requirements: Required: Ability to read and write English in order to understand and interpret written procedures and technical manuals.

This includes the ability to give and receive instructions in written and verbal forms and to effectively present information and respond to questions from vendors, contractors, supervisors, co-workers, residents, and city/county agencies.

Preferred: Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) Certification, Licenses and Registrations: * Must have (or obtain within 3-months from the date of hire) and maintain a current, valid State of New Mexico driver's license; must have and maintain a Taos County-insurable driving record.

* Must successfully complete and obtain NM Law Enforcement Academy Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification within one (1) year of employment, National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Certification, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification and must maintain certifications throughout employment.

* Must successfully complete a background investigation, pre-employment physical examination, pre-employment substance abuse test, and hearing test.

Training/Professional Development Requirements: * Must successfully complete all Taos County-required safety and other training within required timeframes * Must successfully pass and maintain training certification in all state, Taos County, and/or other training requirements of the position and job assignment.

* Additional training requirements for this position may be