Police Communications Technician

Police Communications Technicians, working under direct supervision in the Police Department Communications Section, serve as 911 call-takers; obtain necessary information from callers in order to initiate emergency assistance; serve as radio dispatchers of police resources; view pictures, videos and listen to audio attachments sent via "Text to 911"; and perform clerical, administrative and other duties related to the provision of emergency service. All Police Communications Technicians perform related work.
Special Working Conditions:
Police Communications Technicians will be required to work various tours around the clock, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Police Communications Technicians will be required on occasion to work overtime tours depending on the needs of the Department. Some of the physical activities performed by Police Communications Technicians and environmental conditions experienced are: sitting for extended periods of time with a headset on while monitoring a computer screen; typing information into the computer using a computer keyboard; coordinating eye/hand movements while handling emergency calls for the efficient use of console and computer; speaking calmly and clearly in order to elicit information and giving instructions to a continuous flow of callers under stress; listening carefully to clearly understand emergency information; making responsible judgments where timing is critical; and sitting within hearing distance of other call-takers working under similar conditions. (This is a brief description of what you might do in this position and does not include all the duties of this position.)

How To Qualify:
You may be given the test before we verify your qualifications. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the education and experience requirements for the examination before submitting your application. If you are deemed "Not Qualified," your application fee will not be refunded and you will not receive an Admission Notice or score. As per Section 54(2) of the Civil Service Law, the education requirement needed to qualify must be met by October 13, 2027. The experience requirement needed to qualify must be met by the last day of the Application Period (October 13, 2026).

Education And Experience Requirements:
1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and
a. one year of satisfactory full-time experience performing clerical, typing, or secretarial work; or
b. one year of satisfactory full-time experience dealing with the public, including the obtaining of information from persons; or
c. the successful completion of 30 college semester credits from an accredited college or university; or
d. two years of active U.S. military duty with honorable discharge; or

2. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience that is equivalent to 1(a), 1(b), 1(c), or 1(d) above. However, all candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent. The high school diploma or its educational equivalent must be approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization. The college or university must be accredited by regional, national, professional, or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). If you were educated outside the United States, you must have your foreign education evaluated to determine its equivalence to education obtained in the United States. You will receive instructions from the Police Department during the pre-employment screening process regarding the approved evaluation services that you may use for foreign education. Medical and Psychological Assessment: Medical and psychological guidelines have been established for the position of Police Communications Technician. You will be examined to determine whether you can perform the essential functions of a Police Communications Technician. Additionally, you will be expected to continue to perform the essential functions of a Police Communications Technician throughout your career, and may, therefore, be medically and psychologically tested periodically throughout your career. Where appropriate, a reasonable accommodation will be provided for a person with a disability to enable him or her to take these medical and psychological examinations, and/or to perform the essential functions of the job.
Drug Screening Requirement:
You must pass a drug screening in order to be appointed.
Residency:
City residency is not required for this position.
English Requirement:
You must be able to understand and be understood in English.
Proof of Identity:
Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, you must be able to prove your identity and your right to obtain employment in the United States prior to employment with an agency under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner, Department of Citywide Administrative Services.

The multiple-choice test for the Police Communications Technician position will be given at a computer terminal. Your score on this test will be used to determine your place on an eligible list. You must achieve a score of at least 70% to pass the test. The multiple-choice test is designed to assess the extent to which candidates have certain abilities determined to be important to the performance of the tasks of a Police Communications Technician The test may also include questions requiring the use of any of the following abilities: Deductive Reasoning: applying general rules to specific problems and coming up with logical answers. It involves deciding if an answer makes sense. Example: A Police Communications Technician might use this ability to determine what unit to dispatch when a caller reports hearing strange sounds coming from the apartment next door. Inductive Reasoning: combining separate pieces of information, or specific answers to problems, to form general rules or conclusions. It involves the ability to think of possible reasons for why things go together. Example: A Police Communications Technician might use this ability to interpret departmental guidelines when inputting data into the computer-based emergency response system. Information Ordering: correctly following a rule or set of rules or actions in a certain order. The rule or set of rules used must be given. The things or actions to be put in order can include numbers, letters, words, pictures, procedures, sentences, and mathematical or logical operations. Example: A Police Communications Technician might use this ability to follow protocol when reporting information about a specific emergency situation to related departments. Memorization: remembering information, such as words, numbers, pictures and procedures. Pieces of information can be remembered by themselves or with other pieces of information. Example: A Police Communications Technician might use this ability when recalling the location of a robbery. Problem Sensitivity: being able to tell when something is wrong or likely to go wrong. It includes being able to identify the whole problem as well as elements of the problem. Example: A Police Communications Technician might use this ability to determine the critical nature when a caller is having difficulty describing his/her emergency. Written Comprehension: understanding written sentences and paragraphs. Example: A Police Communications Technician might use this ability to interpret departmental operations/regulations and carry out related procedures. Written Expression: using English words or sentences in writing so that others will understand. Example: A Police Communications Technician might use this ability when recording pertinent information received from a caller. Certain questions may need to be answered on the basis of documents or other information supplied to the candidates on the date of the multiple-choice exam.

City residency is not required for this position.