Communications Officer

• Answer and direct telephone calls both emergency and non-emergency in manner.
• Accurately enter information into CAD and RMS systems.
• Relay vital information to patrol officers, fire personnel, and/or summon the proper authority.
• Maintain accurate radio logs, telephone logs, and computerized department inventories.
• Accurately complete warrant, case, and photographic files, and type reports.
• Utilize state and federal telecommunications systems (NCIC/KCJIS) to send and receive teletype messages; respond to requests from authorized personnel for criminal record checks, warrants, wanted persons, etc.; check for stolen vehicles and parts; and process criminal history records checks.
• Frequent contact with other city departments and continual contact with the general public.
• Assist customers at the counter by receiving/disbursing specific fees and obtaining copies of accident/incident reports and other documents.
• Perform basic clerical duties, including filing, scanning, copying, and faxing documents.
• Serve as the front-line operator of the City’s mass notification system.
• Monitor, update, and respond to the police department’s social media pages.
• Periodic checks on the prisoner(s) in the holding cell and monitoring city security video.
• Completion of at least (15) hours of continuing education training annually to maintain proficiency and certifications.
• Performs other duties as required.

• Some knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations governing criminal activities.
• Ability to use a computer, communication equipment, and other office duties.
• Frequent problem-solving includes but is not limited to citizen complaints, equipment malfunction, and call prioritizing.
• Frequent decision-making includes but is not limited to dispatching proper emergency units and classifying calls.

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Prior experience is not required. One to three years of public safety communications experience is desirable.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment security clearance check conducted on a local and national level, and the ability to maintain a good moral character sufficient to testify credibly in a court of law.
• Must successfully complete all job-related training and certifications as required by state and federal statutes and departmental procedures within the first six (6) months of employment.

• Mental alertness is very important because of the need to make fine discriminations and decisions concerning impending danger. Incumbents must maintain a physical and mental state of fitness and readiness that will enable them to handle stressful situations.  Some contact with dangerous and potentially dangerous people, equipment and weather conditions may occur. 
• Work conditions may vary by shift, prolonged periods of sitting/standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• ​​​​Vision Requirement: 20/40 corrected
• ​​Occasional maximum lift of 25 lbs from floor to waist; frequent forward reach; occasional crouch/bend; constant hand coordination; occasional stand; and occasional walk.

AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFIERS:
During the Andover Police Department application process your background will be closely examined.
Review the following background ‘disqualifiers'.  If you think that any of these apply to you, or you have questions, please call the Communications Director at 733-5177, ext. 203 for clarification, or for more information.

• Applicants must be a Citizen of the United States, must be the holder of a high school diploma or equivalent achievement, i.e. GED, is of good moral character and free of any physical or mental condition which might adversely affect the applicant’s performance as a communications officer.

• Applicants must satisfy all requirements as set forth by the City of Andover (applicant must not have a tattoo or brand, other than cosmetic tattoos, that would be considered in violation of General Order M1213 Personal Appearance and Grooming. Applicants with tattoos that are visible and not in compliance with General Order M1213 must agree as a condition of employment, that they would remove or cover the tattoo whenever on duty.)

• ​​​​​​​If military service has been rendered your DD214 must reflect a separation code of Honorable, General, or Other than Honorable condition discharge.

• Must not have used, bought, possessed, sold or assisted in the distribution of marijuana, including any product that contains THC, in the past twelve months.

• Must not have used, bought, possessed, sold or assisted in the distribution of illegal or non-prescriptive steroids in the past two years.

• Must not have used, bought, possessed, sold or assisted in the distribution of any felony level drug or controlled substance, i.e. LSD, ecstasy, hashish, mushrooms, peyote, K2, etc. in the past three years.

• Must not have used, bought, possessed, sold or assisted in the distribution of any felony level drug or controlled substance, i.e. cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, opium, methamphetamine, etc. in the past five years.

• Has not been convicted, does not have an expunged conviction, and has not been placed on diversion by any state or federal government for any misdemeanor crimes in the past three years.

• May not have been convicted of, plead guilty or no contest to, or been diverted on a serious traffic violation within the past three years. Serious traffic violations to include, but not limited, to DUI, reckless driving, hit and run, vehicular homicide, and eluding a police officer.

• May not have been convicted of, plead guilty or no contest to, or been diverted on more than three moving traffic violations or two at fault accidents within the past year.

• No convictions, diversions or expungements of any felony crime including juvenile offenses.

• Must not be currently charged with or under indictment of any criminal activity other than minor traffic violations.

• As an adult or juvenile may not have been convicted of a crime involving an act of dishonesty, include but not limited to theft, insufficient funds (checks), fraud, false police reports etc.

• If previous communications officer experience has been rendered, must not have received discipline for a sustained violation of dishonesty, to include but not limited to, lying, falsifying reports or documents, illegally obtaining narcotics, courtroom testimony/credibility.

• No convictions for any misdemeanor crimes involving morals, drugs, or weapon charges in the past three years.

• Applicants will be eliminated from the process if they have falsified, intentionally misrepresented, or have not been completely truthful or have not fully disclosed ALL information requested on a questionnaire, document, or application in any part of the pre-employment process.

This list is not inclusive.  An applicant may also be disqualified if the totality of their circumstance indicates that he/she would not be suitable as a communications officer.

Thank you for your interest in employment with the City of Andover.

By submitting your application for any position with the City of Andover, you understand and agree to the following statements:

• I attest that I will only provide true and complete information. No requested information will be concealed. If any information I provide is untrue, or if I conceal material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.
• If selected for employment with the City of Andover, I agree to participate in the appropriate examinations, determined by the position, which would include pre-employment drug screening, and could include physical examination, polygraph, psychological, and physical endurance examinations as well. These examinations will be paid for entirely by the City of Andover. Costs of transportation and time involved in completing the examinations are the responsibility of the applicant.
• I authorize the City of Andover to contact references provided for employment reference checks.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Andover is an equal-opportunity employer. The City of Andover does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

The City shall make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures when the modifications are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability unless the City can demonstrate that making the modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity. The City of Andover will not place surcharges on individuals with disabilities to cover the costs involved in making programs accessible. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify the City’s Director of Human Resources.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Drug-Free Workplace

The City of Andover is committed to a Drug-Free Workplace. I understand that the City of Andover requires the successful completion of a urinalysis for drug testing purposes as a condition of employment. Completion of an application does not constitute an employment contract or an offer of employment.

At-Will Employment

Employment with the City of Andover is considered “at-will.” Consideration for employment has not established any obligation for the City of Andover to hire me. If I am hired, I understand that either the City of Andover or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.

Please find more information under the following links:

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf

https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf