Walton County Sheriff's Office
Communications Officer Pool
Walton County Sheriff's Office, Defuniak Springs, Florida, United States, 32435
Communications Officer
Position Summary
The Communications Officer provides ongoing communication support to field units responding to calls and conducting patrols. The role requires managing multiple tasks simultaneously while gathering essential information from callers, often uncooperative or emotional. The officer must calmly obtain required data to determine resource dispatch, taking control of chaotic, stressful situations. This position places agents at the center of life-or-death scenarios, demanding stringent training and rigorous standards. Officers must stay current with technology, policies, procedures, and best practices impacting public safety, maintaining a calm, professional demeanor while handling both emergency and non‑emergency calls.
Qualifications
High school diploma or GED equivalent
Minimum 18 years of age
Valid driver license
Type a minimum of 20 words per minute
Certifications:
Obtain State of Florida Safe Telecommunicator Certification within one (1) year of hire
Obtain Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch
Obtain Emergency Fire Dispatch Certification from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch
Essential Job Functions
Receive, process, or forward all wrecker requests to the designated supervisor
Accurately maintain wrecker files
Generate communications reports
Utilize communications resources to provide inquiring persons correct information
Promptly route calls to the proper authority
Accurately track, monitor and document all deputies and other members’ activities during their tour of duty
Dispatch deputies for service calls
Provide deputies with updates and additional information as it becomes available
Respond to outside agencies’ requests for assistance
Complete CAD system entries for service calls
Receive requests for watch order checks or extra patrols
Accurately complete and submit WO/EP forms by end of shift
Correctly discriminate between emergency and non‑emergency calls
Effectively prioritize calls for service
Operate the telephone console/switchboard
Ensure the appropriate agency response to the caller or appropriate members are dispatched to the scene
Answer calls in a courteous and professional manner
Assist callers as appropriate, determining the nature of a call and transferring the call to the appropriate member
Promptly dispatch appropriate units to calls based on priority, location, and resource availability
Effectively disseminate information received over the National Warning System Terminal from FEMA and the National Weather Service to all appropriate members/agencies
Operate NCIC/FCIC computer to standards mandated by state and federal authorities
Receive and disseminate accurate information to authorized members in a timely manner
Notify surrounding agencies of robberies and priority events
Maintain accurate and up-to-date communications/dissemination logs
Contact the appropriate entity to verify warrants to ensure they are complete, accurate and still outstanding
Notify appropriate personnel of applicable information and properly update records
Utilize the 2‑way radio for official communications only
Participate in in‑house and external trainings to develop specialized knowledge for communications call taking and/or dispatch duties
Follow International Academies of Emergency Dispatch for Fire (EFD) and Medical (EMD) interrogations prior to the arrival of the first responders
Respond to Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles check requests, retrieve and disseminate requested information promptly
Review bulletins, requests for service and other information received from criminal justice agencies via teletype
Promptly take appropriate action as necessary, routing and dispersing requests to the appropriate personnel or assigning them to another member for follow‑up
Other duties as assigned
Required Skills
Maintains a clean, organized, safe and presentable work area
Communicates clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
Exhibits situational awareness of surrounding conditions
Communicates in a clear, concise, and intelligible manner on the radio
Transmits information in a clear and articulate manner
Multi‑tasks during stressful and non‑stressful conditions
Demonstrates adequate knowledge and skills in EMD and EFD
Key Competencies
Read, interpret, follow and apply agency policies and procedures
Adapt to unexpected changes to safely complete tasks
Demonstrate good verbal communications
Operate the 911 system correctly regarding response time, etiquette, sensitivity and procedure
Properly use the CAD system and related equipment
Listen, comprehend and respond to all dispatch codes
Make immediate decisions with insufficient data and evaluate changing events to decide on appropriate course of action
Physical Requirements
Work performed in an office environment with frequent interruptions and changes in workflow and irregularities in schedule
Work shifts may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and hours during inclement weather and school closures
Position involves sitting for extended periods while working at a computer terminal
Keyboarding function requires learned physical skill
Position requires effective communication through oral and written mediums and adequate hearing and visual acuity to listen, relay information and monitor computer display
Equal Opportunity Employer The Walton County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Walton County Sheriff's Office will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Veterans Veterans are encouraged to apply. Pursuant to applicable state and federal law, preference and priority shall be given to certain service members and veterans (including spouses and family members of such service members and veterans), and certain service members may be eligible for a waiver of post‑secondary educational requirements as provided in Chapter 295, Florida Statutes.
Seniority Level Entry level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function & Industries Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing Law Enforcement
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Qualifications
High school diploma or GED equivalent
Minimum 18 years of age
Valid driver license
Type a minimum of 20 words per minute
Certifications:
Obtain State of Florida Safe Telecommunicator Certification within one (1) year of hire
Obtain Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch
Obtain Emergency Fire Dispatch Certification from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch
Essential Job Functions
Receive, process, or forward all wrecker requests to the designated supervisor
Accurately maintain wrecker files
Generate communications reports
Utilize communications resources to provide inquiring persons correct information
Promptly route calls to the proper authority
Accurately track, monitor and document all deputies and other members’ activities during their tour of duty
Dispatch deputies for service calls
Provide deputies with updates and additional information as it becomes available
Respond to outside agencies’ requests for assistance
Complete CAD system entries for service calls
Receive requests for watch order checks or extra patrols
Accurately complete and submit WO/EP forms by end of shift
Correctly discriminate between emergency and non‑emergency calls
Effectively prioritize calls for service
Operate the telephone console/switchboard
Ensure the appropriate agency response to the caller or appropriate members are dispatched to the scene
Answer calls in a courteous and professional manner
Assist callers as appropriate, determining the nature of a call and transferring the call to the appropriate member
Promptly dispatch appropriate units to calls based on priority, location, and resource availability
Effectively disseminate information received over the National Warning System Terminal from FEMA and the National Weather Service to all appropriate members/agencies
Operate NCIC/FCIC computer to standards mandated by state and federal authorities
Receive and disseminate accurate information to authorized members in a timely manner
Notify surrounding agencies of robberies and priority events
Maintain accurate and up-to-date communications/dissemination logs
Contact the appropriate entity to verify warrants to ensure they are complete, accurate and still outstanding
Notify appropriate personnel of applicable information and properly update records
Utilize the 2‑way radio for official communications only
Participate in in‑house and external trainings to develop specialized knowledge for communications call taking and/or dispatch duties
Follow International Academies of Emergency Dispatch for Fire (EFD) and Medical (EMD) interrogations prior to the arrival of the first responders
Respond to Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles check requests, retrieve and disseminate requested information promptly
Review bulletins, requests for service and other information received from criminal justice agencies via teletype
Promptly take appropriate action as necessary, routing and dispersing requests to the appropriate personnel or assigning them to another member for follow‑up
Other duties as assigned
Required Skills
Maintains a clean, organized, safe and presentable work area
Communicates clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
Exhibits situational awareness of surrounding conditions
Communicates in a clear, concise, and intelligible manner on the radio
Transmits information in a clear and articulate manner
Multi‑tasks during stressful and non‑stressful conditions
Demonstrates adequate knowledge and skills in EMD and EFD
Key Competencies
Read, interpret, follow and apply agency policies and procedures
Adapt to unexpected changes to safely complete tasks
Demonstrate good verbal communications
Operate the 911 system correctly regarding response time, etiquette, sensitivity and procedure
Properly use the CAD system and related equipment
Listen, comprehend and respond to all dispatch codes
Make immediate decisions with insufficient data and evaluate changing events to decide on appropriate course of action
Physical Requirements
Work performed in an office environment with frequent interruptions and changes in workflow and irregularities in schedule
Work shifts may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and hours during inclement weather and school closures
Position involves sitting for extended periods while working at a computer terminal
Keyboarding function requires learned physical skill
Position requires effective communication through oral and written mediums and adequate hearing and visual acuity to listen, relay information and monitor computer display
Equal Opportunity Employer The Walton County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Walton County Sheriff's Office will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Veterans Veterans are encouraged to apply. Pursuant to applicable state and federal law, preference and priority shall be given to certain service members and veterans (including spouses and family members of such service members and veterans), and certain service members may be eligible for a waiver of post‑secondary educational requirements as provided in Chapter 295, Florida Statutes.
Seniority Level Entry level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function & Industries Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing Law Enforcement
#J-18808-Ljbffr