State of Maryland

A Police Communications Supervisor is the supervisory level of communications work in a law enforcement operation.  Employees in this classification supervise Police Communications Operators engaged in providing services to law enforcement and other authorized agencies through the operation of computer terminals and multi-channel police radio equipment.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a law enforcement officer or other designated official.  Employees may be assigned to day, evening, night or rotating shifts to include holidays and weekends and are subject to call in and overtime based on staffing needs.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Police Communications Supervisor is differentiated from the Police Communications Operator III in that the Police Communications Police Communications Operator III performs lead worker function under general supervision while the Police Communications Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Police Communications Operators.

Assigns and reviews work, signs time sheets, approves leave, evaluates job performance and disciplines subordinate staff in a police communications operation;

Supervises Police Communications Operator positions;

Evaluates existing and proposed communications procedures and equipment and makes recommendations regarding their adoption, modification or procurement;

Establishes, modifies, and implements internal operational methods and procedures, orders supplies for communications operations, and monitors budgetary expenditures;

Supervises the sending, receiving, distribution and retention of electronic message communications;

Prepares and coordinates shift schedules and work distribution assignments;

Organizes and implements training programs for new Police Communications Operators;

Updates and maintains various communication procedural manuals;

Prepares and maintains various statistical and activity logs and records;

Reviews production data and work reports of communication services to ensure efficient and effective operations;

Receives and transmits information via multi-channel radio, telephone and computer terminal equipment;

Requests or provides information regarding traffic records, statistics, driver’s license and automobile registration;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge and use of the procedures, methods, and standards of law enforcement automated data storage, retrieval, and transmission systems;

Knowledge of computer terminals, multi-channel radio equipment and operating procedures;

Knowledge of principles and practices of business and public administration;

Knowledge of message retention schedules and storage techniques;

Skill in developing and implementing operational procedures and evaluating their effectiveness and efficiency;

Skill in developing and presenting effective employee training procedures;

Skill in determining the need for personnel, equipment, and supplies;

Skill in maintaining records, performing calculations, conducting analyses and preparing reports;

Ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of others;

Ability to understand and give clear directions and instructions;

Ability to communicate precisely and clearly in emergency situations;

Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately in stressful situations;

Ability to establish an effective working relationship with employees, allied agency personnel and the general public.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Three years experience performing law enforcement communications work involving the operation of a computer terminal, multi-channel radio, and related equipment.

Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Operations Specialist classifications or Signal Corps, Cyberspace Support, or Communications specialty codes in the communications field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

1. Applicants for this classification may be subject to an extensive background investigation prior to appointment.

2. Employees in this classification will be required to provide the employing agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit as indicated by the designation of S (supervisor), M (manager), T (agency head), U (Board or Commission member), W (student), X (Used by agency or excluded by executive order), or Z (confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and therefore, all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.