Recruitment: Police Communications Officer I

County of Hawaii Jobs
 “Hawaiʻi County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer”

The Hawaiʻi County Department of Human Resources continuously recruits applicants for police communications officers.

To apply:

  1. Visit the Hawaiʻi County Job Opportunities page and create an account.
  2. Scroll down and click on Police Communications Officer I.
  3. Click “apply” and follow the instructions.

For more information, go to the County of Hawaiʻi Job Opportunities web page.

SALARY for Police Communications Officer I:

$22.25 Hourly
$3,856 Monthly
$46,272 Annually

DUTIES SUMMARY:

Under direct supervision, receives formal and structured on-the-job training in the methods and procedures of police communications and dispatching operations including call taking and dispatching uniformed personnel utilizing a specialized work station of emergency 911 communications equipment and a Computer Aided Dispatch System (CADS) in a central police communications operation; and performs other related duties as required.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

(The following are examples of duties and are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in this class.  The omission of specific duty statements does not preclude the assignment of such duties if they are a logical assignment for the position and are consistent with the class concept.)

  • Receives formal and on-the-job training on the basic functions and missions of the Hawai’i County Police Department and police communications operations.
  • Actively participates in a Call Taker and Dispatcher Training Program under direct supervision to perform the full range of emergency communication duties in the Police Communications Center.
  • Learns and becomes proficient in operating a specialized workstation comprised of a 911-telephone system, departmental telephone system and geographical mapping system to answer, triage and process 911-voice and text calls from the public for emergency and non-emergency police assistance.
  • Utilizes the Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) application of the telephone system to communicate with deaf and/or speech impaired individuals. Facilitates language interpretation between non-English speaking callers and interpreters.
  • Interacts with callers who may be injured, distressed, distraught, emotional and/or belligerent. Maintains professional decorum when interacting with callers and attempts to calm distressed citizens during call taking to ensure effective communications.
  • Performs call taking and dispatching duties simultaneously when call volume exceeds staffing levels within the emergency dispatch center.
  • Gathers information from the caller to ensure officer and public safety; classifies, codes and prioritizes cases correctly; inputs data in the appropriate fields of CADS; adjusts to varying types of calls for police assistance; maintains control of the conversations and makes sound decisions during life-threatening situations. Utilizes knowledge of police jurisdictions and geography of the island of Hawai’i.
  • Multi-tasks while communicating clearly, calmly, and efficiently, with the public, departmental personnel, and government agencies while simultaneously using a computer, telephone, and various law enforcement databases.
  • Receives requests via telephone from officers and field personnel; processes status updates, case dispositions; and relays pertinent case information.
  • Accurately interprets and communicates critical public safety data from various departmental, county, state and national computer terminals to include but not limited to wanted persons, stolen property, criminal history, and motor vehicle registration, and replies to inquiries when required.
  • Inputs and updates information in the law enforcement files for stolen, wanted or overdue vehicles, legally towed vehicles, stolen or lost license plates, escapees, missing persons, runaway juveniles, and other law enforcement information. Maintains and updates various record keeping logs.
  • Notifies supervisor of noteworthy incidents, natural or man-made disaster situations, road closures, and incidents involving HPD personnel.
  • Utilizes a variety of reference materials, computer systems, and files to assist officers in their work.
  • Testifies in court and presents evidence in criminal proceedings, as required.
  • In the event of system failures, implements various manual and emergency back-up procedures to ensure continuity of operations.
  • Adheres to and applies county, departmental and divisional policies, procedures and training manuals that serve as a guide to operations of the Police Communications Dispatch Center.
  • Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Training and Experience:

A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

  • A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to graduation from high school, and
  • two (2) years of work experience involving dispatching or public contact which shall have included providing information, answering questions and inquiries, and/or explaining policies, rules and regulations in person or by telephone. 

Ability to: 

  • Type/keyboard at a rate of 35 words per minute (wpm).
  • Perform multiple tasks while simultaneously using a computer.
  • Learn departmental rules and regulations, policies and procedures of the Hawai’i Police Department and Police Communications Dispatch Center, and pertinent laws and ordinances of the State and County of Hawai’i.
  • Learn to operate police radio, telephone and civil defense equipment.
  • Communicate effectively with police personnel and the general public.
  • Make sound decisions quickly under traumatic or crisis situations.
  • Relate effectively to co-workers.
  • Listen effectively.
  • Exercise patience and tact in dealing with the public.
  • Control the direction and length of calls.
  • Write clear and concise reports.
  • Operate standard office equipment.

Examination: The examination consists of a written test that will be administered on the Island of Hawai’i only. Candidates may be examined for their knowledge of office practices and procedures; filing methods and systems; the purposes and uses of standard office equipment; principles and techniques in dealing with people.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.

Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.

Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai’i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.

Ability to: learn departmental regulations, and policies and procedures of the Communications Division; learn pertinent laws and ordinances of the State and County of Hawai’i; learn to operate radio-telephone equipment; listen effectively; communicate clearly and calmly with police personnel and the general public; make sound decisions under stressful conditions; operate multiple keyboards and touch screen interfaces from several computerized systems simultaneously; operate standard office equipment, learn the names of towns, parks, beaches, streets, businesses, and other locations on the island of Hawai’i.

Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping: Light