State of Maryland

A Police Communications Operator I is the entry level of communications work in a law enforcement operation.  Employees in this classification provide services to law enforcement and other authorized agencies through the operation of computer terminals and multi-channel police radio equipment. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a Police Communications Supervisor or other designated official on an assigned shift.  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 Operator Trainee, Police Communications Operator I, Police Communications Operator II and Police Communications Operator III are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Police Communications Operator Trainee and Police Communications Operator I perform duties under close supervision.  The Police Communications Operator II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The Police Communications Operator III performs lead worker functions under general supervision.

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;

Maintains files and records;

Gives general information to law enforcement officers, administrative staff and the general public;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of typing and other standard office procedures;

Knowledge of map reading and map interpretation;

Skill in performing multiple tasks simultaneously;

Ability to use multi-channel radios, keyboards and computer terminals;

Ability to type accurately at a minimum of twenty net words per minute;

Ability to understand and carry out directions;

Ability to receive, record, and transmit radio messages clearly, accurately and distinctly;

Ability to maintain files and records;

Ability to communicate precisely and clearly in emergency situations;

Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately in stressful situations.

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

Experience: None.

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 assigned to Bargaining Unit B- Administrative, Technical and Clerical classes.  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 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.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.