Communications Specialist-223471

This position provides dispatch services for Capitol Police in Topeka.

Salary: $25.30 per hour

Individuals with two years’ experience may be eligible for Communications Specialist II with higher salary.
Health insurance and the accrual of vacation and sick leave begin immediately.
KPERS 457 retirement and deferred compensation option

Location: Topeka/Shawnee County
Work schedule will vary

Position Description:

This is an entry level position with emphasis upon formal and on-the-job training and gaining experience. Incumbent will learn policies, procedures and develop competency in the following areas.

• Develop competency in:
  • The operation of a highly complex multi-channel system, in order to maintain continuous contact between KHP troopers, other state, local and federal agencies, and fire and ambulance personnel in a wide geographic area.
  • Accessing, operating, interpreting, disseminating, viewing and responding to numerous types of information quickly. These functions could involve operating as many as nine (9) open windows on a minimum of three (3) computer monitors simultaneously.
  • Answering multiple emergency telephone lines to take information pertaining to criminal activity, life threatening situations, Safe School Hotline and vehicle accidents.
  • Closely monitoring weather conditions and periods of inclement weather, by requesting and relaying relevant information to troopers, Kansas Department of Transportation and other related agencies.
• Coordinates the response of emergency and/or maintenance personnel and equipment to prohibit further threat and destruction of life and property. Collects and disseminates a wide range of information concerning traffic laws, motor vehicle regulations, accidents or complaints from the public in order to provide assistance and emergency call out service. Provides communication coordination for severe weather, war related incidents or other hazards for responding state, federal, local and volunteer agencies.
• Maintains detailed logs of individual traffic stops by recording and maintaining minute-to-minute logs of trooper and other state law enforcement activity records by entering information into a computer aided dispatch system.
• Must deal with persons exhibiting a wide variety of emotions from hysterical to anger to pain with only a professional response.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following: Must obtain full access NCIC certification within six (6) months.
Develop an expanded knowledge of the NCIC rules and regulations on file usage in order to provide technical support to other agencies.
Project a professional image by wearing and maintaining the Kansas Highway Patrol unit uniform.
In emergency situations, may travel to field troop headquarters for dispatch purposes.

Qualifications:

Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Licensing & Certification: Valid Driver’s License

Minimum Requirements: Must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age. Must successfully pass a prescribed hearing and vision test, prior to employment.  Hearing must be correctable to a range that will allow normal radio and telephone conversation with field units. Vision must be correctable to a range that will allow reading of computer display terminals, maps and printouts quickly and accurately. Applicants must be free of felony convictions.

Necessary Special Requirements:

Must have skills and abilities to deal with people effectively on a daily basis in less than ideal situations. Ability to remain calm and in control during emergency situations.

Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment; read and/or listen, type and respond, while utilizing agency proprietary computer system. Distinguish colors on a computer monitor, use a headset, listen to radio traffic and answer telephone at the same time, make rapid independent decisions in a highly stressful environment. Accurately type with reasonable speed. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and the general public, control emotions, be cognizant of several things/events happening at one time, speak clearly, concisely and without hesitation in a highly stressful environment, read and write comprehensively.

Post offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

There is considerable stress, eyestrain due to computer monitor light exposure, repetitive keyboarding motion, sustained high levels of noise, prolonged periods of sitting, rotating shifts and shifts requiring holiday/weekend work.

Must successfully obtain full access NCIC certification within six (6) months of employment.

Biennially must complete and pass a written examination in the practices and procedures of the FBI’s NCIC system for mandatory Full Access certification.

Must submit to and pass a thorough background investigation. Must submit to and pass a fingerprint-based check. Ability to sit for long periods of time, perform repetitive motions with one or more extremity, reach, and move in confined areas.

See Position Description and Apply Online:

• You will need position number: 223471

You may also find this job posting on the State of Kansas Careers Portal and search by position ID or job title.

Notice:

Persons applying for positions with KHP will be subject to background investigation, fingerprints, and/or drug screening.

In accordance with Executive Order #19-02 issued and signed by Governor Laura Kelly on January 15, 2019, and all other relevant federal and state statutes, the Kansas Highway Patrol subscribes to the concept of equal employment opportunity. Read our complete statement.