Definition

Serves as a senior operator in a communications center, public safety or law enforcement station, emergency system network and mobile unit, or rescue and fire protection agency. Positions transmit, receive, and relay information concerning public safety and law enforcement activities to, from, and between State Patrol mobile units and stations, other state, county, and federal law enforcement agencies, and the public by means of radio, multi‑line telephone systems, computer terminals, private line intercom systems, and other telecommunications devices.

Typical Work

Provides dispatch services to and from communications centers/PSAPs and mobile units for all authorized internal or external radio users;  

Receives communications from the public by telephone and in person; records, evaluates, and disseminates reports of accidents, DWIs, traffic hazards, erratically driven vehicles, disabled vehicles, in‑progress crimes, complaints, stolen vehicles, wanted persons, attempts to locate, and initiates appropriate action; makes appropriate computer entry as required; maintains appropriate files and records as required; 

Dispatches ambulances, tow trucks, fire department, aid cars, and other aid as requested, maintains appropriate record; 

Utilizes a computer terminal to obtain information pertaining to driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, wanted vehicles, wanted persons, articles, and impounded vehicles utilizing an out‑of‑state teletype system when appropriate; 

Maintains current status of all mobile units; 

Receives and announces visitors to offices, sells permits, audits daily permit sales, assists public filing accident reports, accepts lost and found articles, receives information and complaints and initiates proper corrective action; checks warning tickets for compliance and provides information to the public concerning road and weather conditions, directions, driver's license/registration information, motor code laws, and Game/Fish regulations and other information as requested; 

Operates a multi‑frequency radio console, multi‑line telephone system, computer terminal, telefax machine, teletype, typewriter, private line intercom system, and other data recording equipment; 

Answers inquiries received from the public related to law enforcement and emergency response agencies, e.g., road reports and accident information; 

Maintains files, i.e., files for stolen vehicles, wanted person(s), messages, and impounding.

Receives and transfers telephone calls within the office and takes and relays messages when appropriate; 

May assist in providing on‑the‑job training to the new communications officers/operators; 

Reviews manual, publications, and bulletin board for information; coordinates current events with personnel arriving on shift; 

Performs other work as required.

Legal Requirement(s)

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position. 

Desirable Qualifications

One year of experience as a Communications Officer for the Washington State Patrol. 

OR

One year of equivalent experience as a public safety emergency service dispatcher for a police, fire, or emergency medical services (EMS) in a city, county, or federal governmental agency. Excludes: dispatching for tow truck and wrecker companies, private ambulances, cabs, UPS, etc. 

Equivalent education/experience.

Class Specification History

New class consolidates (formerly 41620 Communications Officer 1; 2628 Emergency Communication Operator ) Adopted May 11, 2007 Effective July 1 2007.
Base range salary adjustment adopted 6/30/2017, effective 7/1/2017; 38SP to 42SP.
Base range salary adjustment adopted 6/13/2019, effective 7/1/2019.