Communications Officer Jobs in Spring, TX (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $49,920.00 Annually
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 2022-00024-E
Department: Certified Recruitment
Opening Date: 09/11/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Emergency Dispatch Center (EDC) Communications Officers shall be responsible for receiving, processing, and disseminating calls for service efficiently to attain an appropriate and timely public safety response. Communications Officers must be willing to work during any declared Office of Emergency Management event and accept different hours and days off depending on the demands of the EDC. Communication Officers shall be responsible for carrying out all other assignments as directed by supervisory personnel.
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Answer telephone calls and radio communications, resolve issues, provide information, and communicate effectively
• Handle confidential and sensitive information in a discreet manner
• Receive, process, and disseminate calls for service efficiently to attain an appropriate and timely public safety response
• Independently initiate action consistent with existing policies and procedures, based upon observed situations, and utilizing sound judgment
• Type correspondence, and reports and assist in the processing of documents as required
• Communicate and liaise with Command Staff, employees, other agencies, and the public in a knowledgeable, efficient, and courteous manner
• Perform other assignments and duties as required and/or necessary

This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
"Ability to handle and/or work in stressful situations"
Additional testing may be required

• High School Diploma or GED from a U.S. accredited school
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• United States Citizen or Certificate of Naturalization (See General Information for exceptions)
• Valid driver's license or state-issued I.D. (Must be Texas issued by hire date)
• Must pass an extensive background investigation, TB skin test, and drug screening
• Must pass pre-employment testing and demonstrate essential job skills
• Willing to work different shifts to include weekends, holidays, and overtime as required

Knowledge of:

• Chapter 49 Penal Code and Transportation Code.

Skilled in

• Proficient in correspondence, and reports and assist in the processing of documents as required
• Demonstrated proficiency with computer and related software, i.e. Word and Excel
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written

Ability to:

• Communicate and liaise with Command Staff, employees, other agencies, and the public in a knowledgeable, efficient, and courteous manner
• Create, maintain, and update critical files in an organized manner
• Answer telephone calls, resolve issues, provide information, and multitask
• Handle confidential and sensitive information in a discreet manner
• Receive, process, and disseminate calls for service efficiently to attain an appropriate and timely public safety response
• Independently initiate action consistent with existing policies and procedures, based upon observed situations, and utilizing sound judgment
• Work overtime and/or varying duty hours as deemed necessary; including weekends, holidays with an excellent attendance record

Continued employment is contingent upon the successful completion of Telecommunicator training and passing all testing required to obtain the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Telecommunicator certification within a year of employment.

• New hire orientation is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on the first day and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. for the next two weeks with Saturday/Sunday off.

On-the-job training is approx. 7 weeks, on one of the three shifts,

• 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.,
• 2 p.m. - 10 p.m., or
• 10 p.m. - 6 a.m., with the same off days as the trainer

Upon completion of training, you will be placed on either the

• 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. or
• 10 p.m. - 6 a.m. shift, days off will be determined according to whatever is available

PREFERENCES

• Previous experience in emergency dispatch or 911 operation
• Bilingual in Spanish
• Demonstrated proficiency with computer and related software, i.e. CAD, JIMS, ARS, OMNIXX, etc.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Hours:

• 40 Hours Per Week / Shift Work
• Includes Nights, Weekends, and Holidays
• Mandatory Overtime as deemed necessary to fulfill operational needs

Salary and Incentive Pay:

• Paid biweekly based on 26 pay periods per year, plus benefits
• Up to 14 years of credit for service as a TCOLE Certified Telecommunicator upon hire (Restrictions Apply)

Salary:
Paid biweekly based on 26 pay periods per year, plus benefits
$44,470.40 * annually / $1,710.40 biweekly - Starting
$47,964.80* annually / $1,844.80 biweekly - After 24 months
For detailed information on the benefits offered by Harris County, please click on the "Benefits" tab of this posting.

• Applicant submission of the Job Request Packet does not guarantee an interview.
• To qualify for this position, the required experience, education, and skills must be clearly stated on your application's employment history.
• Resumes are welcome, but we do not use any information provided on your resume for qualifications.
• Experience obtained while in the military must also be included as part of your employment history on the application.

Incomplete applications will not be considered
Due to a high volume of applications, positions may close before the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received
Citizenship Exceptions
Per SB 252, you may be eligible for TCOLE licensure if you have fulfilled all of the following requirements:

1. Must be a permanent legal resident
   
2. Must be an honorably discharged veteran from the United States armed forces with at least two years of active service (Must have DD-214 that reflects service time and discharge status)
   
3. Must provide evidence that they have applied for United States Citizenship

Equal Opportunity Statement
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
BENEFITS
Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as a defined benefit retirement plan.
The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service. Accrual rates increase based on years of service.
• 10 county holidays plus one (1) floating holiday
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Healthcare Reimbursement Account
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:

• Retirement pension (TCDRS)
  • Flexible schedules (varies by department)
    • Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:
01
What is the highest level of education you have completed? Please select from below. (Copy of official certificate, diploma and/or transcript must be attached to the application)

• High School Diploma (US)
• Certificate of High School Equivalency (GED)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

02
Which of the following best describes your years of experience in a call center, customer service or dispatch environment?

• Less than six months
• Six months to one year
• One year to less than two
• Two years to less than three
• Three years or more
• I don't have this experience

03
Do you have experience working in any of the following fields? Select all that apply

• Communications Officer at a Law Enforcement Agency
• Emergency Dispatcher
• 911 -Emergency Center Operator
• None of the above

04
Have you ever had any of the following Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) certifications?

• Peace Officer
• Jailer (Corrections)
• Telecommunicator
• None of the above

05
If yes, please enter your TCOLE PID Number below. Type "N/A" if not applicable.
06
Employees of the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) are exposed to confidential and law enforcement sensitive information. A thorough background investigation is required to properly evaluate the suitability of applicants for employment. For this reason, it is essential that you provide accurate information in all aspects of the process. The process will end for applicants who fail to provide truthful information. The following questions address information required to start the pre-qualifying requirements of the recruitment process. All information obtained herein will be used for purposes of initiating a background investigation only. Additional questionnaires will be required at later stages of the application process. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability.

• I have read the above statement and understand that by submitting this application I agree to be subject to a background investigation including but not limited to education, employment, driving record, criminal history, financial responsibility, or any such areas of investigation deemed reasonable and justifiable for purpose of employment with the HCSO.

07
Please provide your full name (Last Name, First Name, Middle Name (no initials)
08
Please provide your date of birth. (MM/DD/YYYY)
09
Please select your age range below. (As of today)

• 21 years or older
• 18 to 20 years old
• 17 or younger

10
Please Provide your Social Security Number (SSN)
11
Are you a citizen of the United States?

• Yes
• No

12
Please provide your place of birth (city, county, state, and country)
13
Do you have a valid driver's license? NOTE: A Texas issued driver's license is required prior to start date.

• Valid driver's license
• State issued ID card
• None of the above

14
Please provide your current driver's license or state-issued ID number, state, and expiration date. If you do not have a driver's license please enter N/A.
15
Did you ever serve in the United States military?

• Yes
• No

16
Which branch of the military? Type "N/A" if not applicable
17
Did you receive an honorable discharge? (Copy of DD-214 is required with the application)

• Yes, honorably discharged
• No, dishonorable discharged
• Not Applicable

18
List all your e-mail addresses below:
19
Do you have social networking, instant messaging or other internet-based profiles?

• Yes
• No

20
If yes, please list your screen names and service providers:
21
Have you ever been employed with a law enforcement agency or correctional facility in any position?

• Currently Employed
• Previously Employed
• Never been employed at a law enforcement agency or correctional facility

22
Please enter your TCOLE PID Number below. Type "N/A" if not applicable.
23
If yes, please list of ALL Law Enforcement and/or Correctional facilities where you have worked (provide the name of the facility, address and years employed). Type "N/A" if not applicable
24
If you have worked at a law enforcement agency or correctional facility, have you ever been terminated, resigned in lieu of termination, or resigned while under investigation?

• Yes
• No
• Not Applicable

25
If yes, please explain (provide details): Type "N/A" if not applicable
26
Have you ever....? Please select all that apply.

• Been Convicted of a felony
• Been accused/charged with a felony that was dismissed, received deferred adjudication and/or probation
• Been convicted of a Class A misdemeanor, or the equivalent
• Been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor, or the equivalent within the last 10 years
• Been convicted o