Police Communications Dispatcher

About the Department

Under general supervision, is responsible for performing technical and administrative radio communications involving the deployment of police personnel according to request for service and available manpower. Working conditions are primarily in an office environment. Exercises no supervision.

Work Location 
Public Safety Headquarters - 315 S. Santa Rosa, San Antonio, TX (78207)

Training location may be different:
1st Reporting Day: McCreless Storefront, 3850 S. New Braunfels, Suite 110 San Antonio, TX (78223)

Work Hours
Classroom hours are 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday; followed by on the job training which will mirror hours of assigned OJT Trainer, will include day, evenings, overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays.
 
In this position you are a First Responder and expected to assist and support 911 operations during natural disasters, manmade disasters, terrorism, extreme weather, and civil emergencies. The 911 Public Safety Answering Point is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to support emergency operations for the City of San Antonio.  Because of this you may be required to work mandatory overtime and outside of your staff hours as needed in emergency situations.

Position Duties

• Maintains communications with Police Department personnel and provides necessary support to field personnel via police radio, telephone, computer and MDT's.
• Deploys field personnel according to need and priority of the request for service.
• Maintains constant status of field units and updates dispatch information utilizing the computer assisted dispatch systems.
• Runs vehicle registration and stolen vehicle checks.
• Runs warrants and missing person checks on subjects.
• Calls complainant and alarm companies back for further information.
• Orders wreckers, wagons, etc. as needed.
• Sets up quadrants and coordinates with other field units such as K-9, Foxtrot, and SWAT as needed.
• Uses SIMs Unit to alert, disable, regroup and identify radios.
• Operates computer keyboard and radio console equipment.
• Elicits, remembers, and accurately records vital information using police codes.
• Verifies driver's license identity, or vehicle ownership for patrol officers.
• Performs related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent (recognized by the Texas Education Agency or a regional accrediting agency).
• One (1) year experience in public contact either in person or by telephone.
• Applicants for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, the following will result in being disqualified for this position: Felony Convictions, Felony Deferred Adjudication, Class A & B Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication, Class B Misdemeanor Convictions, an Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor), and Family Violence Convictions.
• Must obtain TCOLE Telecommunicator Certification within one (1) year of employment.
• Must obtain TCIC/NCIC, Full Access Certification within six (6) months of employment.
• Must pass Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) background and maintain CJIS eligibility.
• Must meet the minimum requirements established by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement for Telecommunicators.

• Applicants must meet and maintain the Telecommunicator Licensing requirements set forth by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). 
• Applicants who have been issued a Telecommunicator License by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement at any point, must be in good standing and have an eligible license, ready for appointment to the San Antonio Police Department.
• Applicants must remedy any TCOLE License deactivations or suspensions before their start date.
• TCOLE Licensing Requirements include a significant background check. 
• Applicants must be a United States Citizen or United States Naturalized Citizen.
• Possess an Honorable discharge from branch of Military in which applicant served, if applicable.
• Applicants must pass a Fingerprint based  Criminal Justice Information System background check meeting the requirements from the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
• Must not have a Conviction of a Class B Misdemeanor in the last ten years. From the date of conviction.
• Must not have a Conviction of a Class A Misdemeanor or above. 
• Must not have a conviction of family violence.
• Juvenile convictions are healed to the same standard as adult convictions.
• Out of stat convictions are healed to the Texas equivalent.  
• Submit to a background investigation as required by state law.
• Provide truthful and accurate information at all times during the application process. 
• Any dishonesty found during the application process will result in an automatic disqualification and deem applicant permanently unsuitable for hire at any other time.
• A full list of requirements can be found onwww.tcole.texas.gov.

• One (1) year experience as an Emergency Services Dispatcher and/or 911 Call Taker, or One (1) year of experience in a high call volume contact center.
• Ability to pass the online TEEX State Telecommunicator Licensing Course within the first year of employment.
• Ability to type 35 words per minute.
• Experience in law enforcement.

Applicant Information

• Unless otherwise stated, applicants are permitted to substitute two years of related full-time experience for one year of higher education or one year of related higher education for two years of experience in order to meet the minimum requirements of the job. One year of full-time experience is defined as 30 or more hours worked per week for 12 months. One year of higher education is defined as 30 credit hours completed at an accredited college or university.
• Applicants selected for employment with the City of San Antonio in this position must receive satisfactory results from pre-employment drug testing and background checks.  If required for the position, a physical, motor vehicle record evaluation, and additional background checks may be conducted.
• Please be advised that if selected for this position, information regarding employment history as it relates to the qualifications of the position will be needed for employment verification. Applicants claiming military service to meet the experience requirement for this position may attach a DD214 to the application.
• If selected for this position, official transcripts, diplomas, certifications, and licenses must be submitted at the time of processing.  Unofficial transcripts and copies of other relevant documents may be attached to the application for consideration in advance.

Other Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic telephone techniques and public relations.
• Ability to learn dispatch office procedures, practices and equipment.
• Ability to learn geographic features and streets within area served and utilize this information by providing understandable directions to requested locations.
• Ability to learn applicable departmental procedures and policies related to proper police response, emergencies, etc.
• Ability to learn various types of computer formats and codes necessary to access, manipulate and relay information.
• Ability to learn standard radio broadcasting procedures.
• Ability to work under pressure, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Ability to operate dispatch and office equipment.
• Ability to perform all the physical requirements of the position, with or without accommodations.