Communications Supervisor

GENERAL PURPOSE
The fundamental purpose of this position is to provide first line supervision of the receiving and dispatching requests for Police services in the City of Peoria. The center also serves as the primary answering point for fire fighting and emergency medical services prior to transferring those requests to the appropriate agency. A Police Communications Supervisor must be able to analyze diverse situations quickly and respond with a reasonable course of action within established guidelines. Direct supervision is exercised over the classifications of Communication Specialists and Senior Communications Specialists. Police Communication Supervisors work under the general supervision of the Communications Bureau Manager. Position requires shift work, overtime, weekend and holiday work. Communications supervisors are consistently required to remain on premise for the entire shift.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Supervises employees involved in answering emergency calls and operating the Computer Aided Dispatch system and related communications equipment
• Answers emergency and non-emergency calls and operates the Computer Aided Dispatch system and related communications equipment as needed
• Coordinates scheduling to ensure minimum staffing levels are maintain in the Communications Bureau; assists in the city Emergency Operations Center as needed; instructs operators in proper dispatch procedures; documents performance levels and provides constructive feedback; assists Communications personnel in setting and reaching superior goals and standards
• Formulates and writes procedural changes
• Investigates and resolves or forwards internal and external problems and/or complaints within department guidelines; resolves problems involved in the day-to-day operation of the Police Communication system; informs Police administrators of significant incidents; relays administration decisions, policies and actions to Communications personnel and facilitates their implementation
• Monitors live emergency and non-emergency phone calls and radio transmissions to determine compliance with operations standards and to perform critiques
• Attends in-service training classes
• Serves on various committees and focus groups as needed
• Prepares and submits bureau activity and personnel reports to the Bureau Manager;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly with other city employees, the public and other bureaus within the Department to provide quality customer service; assists Bureau Manager as needed
• Exercises independent judgment and initiative within policy guidelines
• Communicates effective, both orally and in writing, including face-to-face and one-on-one settings, or using the telephone
• Remains calm and effective under heavy workloads and in emergency situations

Additional Requirements:
Some positions will require performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon work location, assignment or shift. Ability to function within department guidelines as emergency and non-emergency call taker and information channel operator required.


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum of three years of experience in public safety dispatching, preferably Police experience. A minimum of one year of supervisory experience is preferred. Minimum of an AA degree, or 64 college credits from an accredited college or university with coursework in a law enforcement related field. An equivalent combination of training and education may be accepted. Arizona Terminal Operator Certification (TOC) is also desirable.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of effective supervision and administration principles and methods including goal setting, career development, program development and implementation; practices, procedures, systems, equipment, and techniques involved in Enhanced 911 and related emergency dispatching operations; Federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to the operation of an public safety dispatch center; telephone and radio recording devices and applicable laws; console based Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf and applicable laws and regulations; Police Department standard operations, policies and procedures; police radio communications systems, equipment, laws and regulations; modern office practices, procedures, and equipment; practices, procedures, laws and regulations relating to the Arizona Criminal Justice Information System and its component parts; laws and regulations relating to employment practices and supervision in a municipal environment, including those related to labor/management relations.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
The physical and mental demands described are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this class, employees regularly are required to use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is
frequently required to sit or stand for long periods of time, stand or sit while talking and listening both in a phone or radio situation and one on one or in group meetings. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use oral and written communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe situations; use math and mathematical reasoning; deal with changing, intensive deadlines; and interact with the public under stressful emergency situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employees in this class are assigned to rotating shifts on a 24-hour/7-day schedule. Employees are frequently restricted to remaining within the Communications Center for an entire shift.


Revised 04/06

 

DURING THE SELECTION PROCESS, ANY APPLICANT REQUIRING ACCOMMODATION FOR A DISABILITY SHOULD ADVISE THE HUMAN  RESOURCES DEPARTMENT. Employment Hotline (Voice Only): 623-773-7105 Human Resources (Voice/TDD): 623-773-7100 EOE M/F/D/V AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER OPORTUNIDAD DE EMPLEO CON DERECHOS IGUALES 8401 West Monroe St, Suite 110 - Peoria Arizona 85345 - (623) 773-7100 - Fax (623) 773-7149

This Page was last updated on 11/07/06
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