Communicator (Permanent Part-Time)

Summary

The Communicator provides complaint handling and dispatches calls for service for the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WPRS) using police  computer systems, phone and radio systems as the Primary Public 
Safety Answering Point (PPSAP) for the Regional Municipality of Waterloo’s 911 telephone system. 

You Will:

• Answer and determines the nature of all incoming calls to the Communications Centre, including but not limited to emergency 911 calls, non-emergency, Teletype Writer (TTY) administrative, and emergency service requests (ambulance, fire, police). 
• Respond to callers inquiring about call status and handles complaints regarding response time.
• Dispatch officers verbally and through Mobile Work Stations (MWS) according to written schedules and work orders, or as required by emergency situations. Deals with special circumstance calls as governed by policies, including but not limited to hostage/barricaded persons, assaults and suicidal persons.
• Monitor units, assesses calls for service and responds to radio calls on the radio system by operating and responding to the talk groups on the systems, including but not limited to police personnel, regional transit, public works, municipal law enforcement and training.
• Monitor any member using a police radio as they attend various addresses, check their wellbeing, and respond to any emergency declared via radio.

You Have:

• An Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent as determined by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
• Two (2) years of previous experience working in fast-paced environment and multi-tasking, with the ability to carefully listen to and transcribe pertinent information.
• Knowledge of radio language, 9000 codes, geographical zones, and phonetic alphabet.
• Knowledge of police radio protocol, acceptable language, release of information and authority to broadcast information in accordance with procedures and legislation.
• Communication, interpersonal, and basic crisis counselling skills used to gather information, answer and re-direct stressful emergency calls, work with individuals with limited communication skills, and recognize and defuse unpleasant or difficult contacts.

You Are:

• Able to adapt to frequently changing priorities, and to re-organize and re-prioritize calls for service based on severity of calls using available resources.
• Able to speak clearly and control rate of speech and compose and broadcast transmission using acceptable police jargon.
• Able to comprehend and remain current in policies and procedures, mapping systems and regional directories.
• Able to meet police security clearance requirements and to maintain confidentiality.