Police Communications Tech
Marketing Statement
The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) is responsible for the enforcement of laws, regulations, and ordinances for crimes committed on, to, or against facilities owned, controlled, or operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
The Police Communication Tech position is an administrative call taker role. The incumbent selected to fill this position will require skills and knowledge involved with answering both emergency and non-emergency calls into the center, performing queries in the Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS), utilizing technical support with radio’s, computers, department terminal systems, and other related equipment within MTPD. This position is an essential role working out of a call center, which operates 24 hours a day to include Holiday’s, weekends, special events, and during weather or other public safety emergencies.
The Metro Transit Police Department has tristate jurisdiction and operates in the District of Columbia, the State of Maryland, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. The salary range for the Police Communication Clerk position is $48,588.34 to $73,386.35.
In addition, the Metro Transit Police Department offers a rich benefit package to include health, dental, group life insurance, paid holidays, annual and sick leave, a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and a 401a Plan, tuition reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, and free transportation on Metrobus and rail.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- Graduation from high school or possession of a general equivalency diploma (GED).
Experience
- Minimum of 1 year technical administrative support and public contact work in a public safety environment, preferably working in a fast paced, high stress environment or call center.
Certification/Licensure
- Must attend training to attain and maintain certifications from Maryland and Washington, DC which allows incumbent access to criminal justice databases, used daily while on duty (WALES and METERS). A passing score on the test(s) issued by each state/jurisdiction is required to obtain the initial certification, as well as bi-annual recertification to remain a valid user of the system.
Other Requirements
- Candidate must have never been convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor.
- Candidate must pass an extensive background check.
- May be required to work variable shifts as needed, at times during inclement weather and when necessary, work extended tours of duty without notice.
Medical Group:
Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.
Mission Essential Designation
- In accordance with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) this job has been identified as critical to mission essential functions. Incumbents in this role may be required to report to or continue to work in the event of authorized office closings or service suspensions due to severe weather, natural disaster, fire, operational emergencies or related events.
Summary
This is entry level, full time technical and administrative public safety communications work in an emergency communications call center. Incumbent is responsible for receiving and processing all calls for service to the Metro Transit Police Department, coordinating with jurisdictional police and fire departments, making appropriate notifications, and providing support services to the unit and other Department divisions. Incumbent is responsible for making appropriate decisions during periods of stress and has latitude for independent judgement and action, within established guidelines.
The Communications Division is the primary point of contact for all calls for public safety and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, including special events, holidays and during weather/public safety emergencies.
Essential Functions
- Answers emergency and non-emergency calls for service; determines the appropriate police, fire, emergency services or other WMATA department response; queries the caller to ascertain specific and vital details of a situation in a timely manner; maintains contact with the caller or appropriate jurisdictional police agency as needed and relays the information received from the caller.
- Operates communications console equipment, computer aided dispatch (CAD) system, telephones, and corporate PC to expedite a variety of emergency, non-emergency and complaint calls from the public for assistance. Incumbent utilizes a variety of communication services, wired, wireless and text, to impart or receive police information.
- Conducts police computerized information systems queries, hit confirmations, entries and performs administrative message switching between other agencies utilizing systems such as the Washington Area Law Enforcement System (WALES), the Maryland Electronic Telecommunications Enforcement Resource System (METERS), and the Virginia Criminal Interstate Network (VCIN) and their associated local systems, as well as WMATA in house systems.
- Provides callers with customer support and acknowledges WMATA customer complaints, inquiries and recommendations for WMATA during non-business hours, which may or may not be police related.
- Researches historical call data or locates information for internal and external customers.
- Utilizes the voice, radio and call recording system to review calls and produce recordings for court purposes.
Evaluation Criteria
Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.
Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:
- Skills and/or behavioral assessment
- Personal interview
- Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
- Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
- Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
- Review of a current motor vehicle report
Closing
WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.
This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.