City of Auburn

 

Class Specification

 

 

Class Title

 

Student Communications Officer

 

Class Code Number

 

8031

 

FLSA Designation

 

Non-Exempt

 

Pay Grade

As Determined on a Periodic Basis

 

Effective Date

June 1, 2004

 

 

                                                    General Statement of Duties

 

Serves as a centralized communications agent connecting City emergency responders to emergency situations and maintaining a contact point for all public safety personnel; performs related work as required.  Maintains standing as a full-time post secondary student.

 

 

                                              Distinguishing Features of the Class

 

The principal function of an employee in this class is to receive calls and relay information and instructions for emergency response personnel.  The work is performed under the direct supervision of the Communications Manager but some leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative.  The principal duties of this class are performed in a central communications center.  Employees in this class are required to be full-time post secondary students taking 10 or more hours of course work in all but one academic term of the school year.

 

 

                                                           Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

 

·                    Responsible for answering emergency lines, non-emergency lines, ring-down lines, intercom lines and fixed transfer lines;

·                    Processes all Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) entries;

·                    Handles varied emergency situations dealing with emotional, injured and victimized persons and is responsible for ascertaining the crucial information needed in the given situation and relaying this to the proper division(s) without delay;

·                    Answers all 911 calls for emergency personnel, dispatches responders, relays all relevant information and corresponds with the caller;

·                    Dispatches locations of alarms as soon as they are received;

·                    Processes personal communications for public safety personal on duty as necessary;

·                    Requests and transmits information from other City departments or outside agencies as needed by officers;

·                    Monitor and respond to panel and phone-in alarms for Police, Fire and EMS;

·                    Maintains records for a log of calls received and handled for other City departments, business alarms and owners, deficiency log for traffic lights, potholes, street signs and other potential hazards;

·                    Responsible for memorizing changes in City maps;

·                    Performs NCIC/ACJIC computer checks on driver’s license, car tags, stolen firearms, driver’s histories and criminal histories;

·                    Performs computer checks on individuals for court clerks and judges;

·                    Checks warrants for the Police Department and other requesting agencies;

·                    Monitors airport crash alarm pager;

·                    Perform maintenance on all communications equipment to ensure proper use during emergency situations;

·                    Cleans and changes radio logging tapes;

·                    Logs mileage of officers transporting juveniles;

·                    Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;

·                    Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions as directed and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas;

·                    The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with all divisions within the Public Safety Department, other City Departments, outside emergency agencies, and the public;

·                    Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;

·                    Maintains accessibility by telephone to facilitate contact as required when off duty;

·                    Performs other related duties as assigned.

 

 

                                                                Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

 

·                    Knowledge of computer information retrieval, communications operations, NCIC computer, CAD system and computer information entry procedures;

·                    Good knowledge of Safety Department activities, purposes and procedures;

·                    Ability to advise and direct Safety Officers and to quickly disseminate crucial information in a clear, concise and understandable manner;

·                    Ability to draw out needed information from persons involved in all types of emergency situations;

·                    Ability to handle multiple tasks at any given time and to prioritize activities according to emergency needs;

·                    Ability to perform computer entry duties with speed efficiency and accuracy;

·                    Ability to quickly learn geographical information and be able to communicate this information to needed personnel and members of the public;

·                    Ability to communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language;

·                    Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions;

·                    Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;

·                    Ability to operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications  appropriate to assigned tasks;

·                    Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;

·                    Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;

·                    Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;

·                    Integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

 

 

 

                                                                        Required Special Qualifications

 

·                    Ability to pass a background check;

·                    Ability to obtain ACJIC certification upon hiring.

·                    Enrollment as a full-time student in an accredited post secondary learning institution.

 

 

                                                                            Essential Physical Abilities

                                                                                                       

·                    Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively in emergency situations;

·                    Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate and monitor a computerized communications system;

·                    Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a keyboard, several phone lines and other communications equipment;

·                    Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate in the communications center environment.

 

“This class specification is not an employment agreement or contract.  Management has the exclusive right to alter this class specification at any time without notice.”