COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER (WT: STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DISPATCHER) - 76001489

Requisition No: 842971 

Agency: Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle

Working Title: COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER (WT: STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DISPATCHER) - 76001489

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 76001489 

Salary:  $42,936.60 annually (Includes CMP) 

Posting Closing Date: 12/26/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL 

MIAMI REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS CENTER 

STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DISPATCHER 

The Organization 

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) provides highway safety and security through excellence in service education and enforcement.  The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), a division of FLHSMV, is a nationally accredited state law enforcement agency charged with enforcing the laws of Florida and ensuring the safety of the motoring public.  The vision of FHP is a safer Florida through Courtesy, Service and Protection.  

FHP has seven Regional Communication Centers (RCC), each located in a major metropolitan area: Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Orlando-Sanford, Tampa, Miami, Fort Myers, and Lake Worth.  These state-of-the art facilities operate 24/7 to provide professional dispatch and communication support services for FHP and seven other state law enforcement agencies.  The personnel who fill the RCCs are passionate, diverse and committed to public service.   

Duties and Responsibilities 

As the first, first responders, State Law Enforcement Dispatchers, also known as Community Service Officers, are non-sworn communications professionals who serve as the vital link between the public and law enforcement and are crucial to maintaining the safety and welfare of the public and law enforcement officers.  This includes:   

• Responding to emergency and non-emergency calls. 

• Dispatching Troopers and other state law enforcement officers. 

• Monitoring and responding to radio and data communications traffic. 

• Helping coordinate efforts between FHP and other agencies (e.g., the Florida Department of Transportation after crash incidents).   

• Receiving, relaying, and documenting call/incident details, law enforcement activity and other information.    

WHY APPLY? 

Rewarding Work 

State Law Enforcement Dispatchers have a meaningful impact on individual lives and within the community every day.  This is a unique and challenging position that requires quick thinking and the ability to remain calm and professional while responding to stressful situations and emotionally charged individuals.  YOU COULD BE THE BEST PART OF SOMEONE’S WORST DAY!   

Salary 

$42,936.60 annually (Includes base rate of pay of $37,936.80 plus $4,999.80 Competitive Market Pay (CMP). The salary listed includes the base annual salary of $37,936.80 and a Competitive Market Pay (CMP) salary additive in the amount of $416.65 monthly ($4,999.80 Annually). In order to receive CMP you must live and work in an Eligible County. 

Additional Pay: 

• 15% shift differential pay additive if working the evening shift 

• 10% shift differential pay additive if working the midnight shift  

• Competitive Market Pay salary additive in the amount of $416.65 monthly for all Regional Communication Centers except Tallahassee, Florida. 

Note: Employees are paid once a month on the last workday of each month.  All state employees are required to participate in the direct deposit program pursuant to s. 110.113 Florida Statutes. 

Our Benefits include 

• Annual and Sick Leave Package 

• Nine Paid Holidays 

• State Health and Life Insurance 

• Supplemental Insurance Options such as Disability, Dental and Vision 

• Contributory Retirement Plan 

• Member Assistance Program 

Career Growth and Educational Opportunities 

The Regional Communication Centers have an established career progression and there are opportunities to branch into other areas within the agency.  

Tuition assistance to state universities and community colleges is available for full-time members. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Professionalism – State Law Enforcement Dispatchers must be able to maintain high professional standards and calm, even-tempered attitudes during emergency situations, including situations that may be distressful in nature, and when dealing with individuals who may be distraught, uncooperative, distracted or aggressive.   

• Communication and Active Listening – State Law Enforcement Dispatchers must be able to speak clearly and communicate information concisely as seconds count in emergency situations.  They must be able to listen carefully and control conversations to obtain needed information quickly and accurately.  

• Teamwork – State Law Enforcement Dispatchers are expected to work cooperatively and professionally with internal members, law enforcement officers and agency partners. 

• Information Comprehension and Retention – State Law Enforcement Dispatchers must be able to understand, interpret and apply a variety of information/data.  This includes reading maps and determining geographical/directional information; applying rules, regulations, policies and procedures; and understand law enforcement terminology. 

• Reasoning, Critical Thinking, and Judgment – State Law Enforcement Dispatchers must be able to quickly weigh and evaluate large volumes of information and consider numerous factors while making appropriate decisions based on training, experience, judgment, and established procedures. 

• Multi-tasking –  State Law Enforcement Dispatchers may have to handle (switch between) multiple calls at the same time and any call may require performing several activities simultaneously such as interacting with the caller, updating information and receiving/broadcasting radio information. 

• Discretion and Integrity – State Law Enforcement Dispatchers have access to sensitive and confidential information and are expected to maintain the confidentiality of information and uphold the integrity of safety sensitive operations.   

• Computer and Equipment Skills – State Law Enforcement Dispatchers must be able to proficiently operate a two-way radio system, multi-line telephone, and a computer and associated systems/applications such as the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. 

Training Provided 

New State Law Enforcement Dispatchers will participate in a four-month training program.  The program is a mixture of classroom and on-the-job training and is structured in five phases: Orientation/Basic Introduction; Call Taking; Radio; Combining Call Taking & Radio; and Shadowing. 

The agency has developed a 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) training curriculum that has been certified by the Florida Department of Health as meeting our exceeding minimum training standards.  This curriculum has been incorporated into the overall training program for new State Law Enforcement Dispatchers.  Upon completion of the curriculum, an application will be submitted for the member to take the 911 PST exam.  The cost of the exam will be covered for members.   

Incumbents of this position are required to be 911 PST certified within 12 months of the date of hire.  For more information related to the 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Program, click here.       

Job Related Requirements 

• Must be willing and able to work rotating days and shifts to ensure coverage 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, including weekends and holidays. 

• Must be 18 years of age or older. 

• High school diploma or a general equivalency diploma is required. 

• The position you are applying is subject to a Level 2 background along with Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) and State Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS) security clearance, to include a fingerprint-based check of the criminal records of the FBI, as a condition of employment pursuant to Chapter 110.1127, 435 and 943, Florida Statutes.  Please note that, since this position requires CJIS clearance, the Department will have access to all an applicant’s criminal and juvenile delinquency records, even those that have been sealed or expunged.  

• In addition, potential candidates must successful complete a drug screening, medical and psychological examination. 

General Information 

Selection will be a three-to-six-month process that consists of the below stages. 

Stage 1: Job application submitted. 

Stage 2: Applicants who meet minimum screening standards will be sent an invitation to complete the Test Genius Skill Assessment (online call simulation testing).  Those meeting the pre-determined scoring criteria will be moved forward in the process.  Please note that Test Genius scores remain active for a period of 90 days.  Applicants who re-apply within the 90-day window will not be eligible to re-take Test Genius. 

Stage 3: Those who pass Test Genius will be contacted to complete the RCC Supplemental Application and schedule an interview. 

Stage 4:  Applicants will participate in a virtual interview. 

Stage 5: Applicants who pass interview will be provided with a contingent offer letter.  This offer will be contingent on the successful completion of the background investigation which includes the below. DO NOT RESIGN FROM ANY CURRENT EMPLOYMENT ON THE BASIS OF THIS CONTINGENT OFFER. 

• Reference Checks 

• Fingerprinting and Criminal History Check 

• Drug Testing 

• Psychological Examination 

• Medical Examination 

Stage 6: Upon successful completion of the background investigation and final hire approval, applicants will be contacted with a final offer letter and to schedule a start date. 

Note: Out-of-state applicants may be required to travel to Florida to complete the selection process.  This travel will be at the expense of the applicant.

For questions about the job or the selection process, please contact: Aerica Ramos, 305-470-2500.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.