El Paso County Sheriff's Office

Communications
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TRAINING PROGRAM
REQUIREMENTS
* Applicants must be a U.S. CITIZEN.
* High School Diploma /GED required; college experience preferred.
* One year of experience involving public contact; public safety work experience is preferred.
* Must pass automated Exams to include Spelling. Type 32 wpm.
* Bilingual (English /Spanish) Mandatory.
* Ability to speak clearly.
* Must work shift hours.
* Must be decisive under high-stress situations.
* Must pass background investigation /pre-employment medical & psychological exam.
* Must possess a good working knowledge of Windows Office; Windows based operating system.
* Must be able to pass and maintain a State Certification applicable to the position within 1 year.
* Must have the ability to complete multiple tasks simultaneously.
Expected duration of the selection process is approximately 3 months.
Applications can be sent to the Human Resource Section located at 3850 Justice Dr., EL Paso TX 79938
An Equal Opportunity Employer

PROGRAM

Currently the Communications Specialist training program is 105 days. It consists of 5 Phases of training.

Training is conducted at the Sheriff's Office Communications Center. Training will be instructed by a Communications Training Officer (CTO).

The first Phase of training is a classroom type environment training. The second through fifth phases are all hands on training. This is where the trainee applies what they have learned.

PHASE I

Phase I consists of 40 training days. In this phase, the trainee will be introduced to the Sheriff's Office. Training will be conducted in a classroom environment. Upon successful completion of Phase I, the trainee will move up to Phase II for on the job training in the live environment. Phase I is outlined as follows.

Week 1 - Introduction to Departmental Policies and Procedures; Departmental Phones and Sections; Ten Codes; Phonetic Alphabet; and Call Signs. Training will be conducted at the Redundant Site.

Week 2 - Introduction to Departmental Phone Systems such as the Nortel, Merlin, and Positron; Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) where the trainee is expected to memorize Commands, Activity Type Codes, and Disposition Codes used in creating and closing out calls; CAD call cards, a manual way to create calls when CAD goes down. The trainee will be taught how to determine the nature of calls and what questions and in what order they need to be asked. During this training phase, the trainee will have many opportunities to create mock calls in the training environment in order to be able to practice and get prepared for the live environment. Training will be conducted at the Redundant Site.

Week 3 - Introduction to Support Functions and Additional Data Bases where the trainee will be taught the use of support equipment such as the Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD), HP copier/fax/scanner, Eventide recorder, and the Instant Recall Recorder (IRR.) Also taught will be Communications databases such as the wrecker log, on-call list, and working schedule, which use the Excel Program. The Jail Information Management System (JIMS), Amber Alert System, our Report Management System (RMS) which is called I/LEADS. The Arc Explorer program will be taught as well as our departmental evacuation procedures. Training will be conducted at the Academy and in Communications.

Week 4 & 5 - Begin CAD Practice to include handling certain calls in the Live Environment.

Week 6 - Introduction to all aspects of Radio Communications where the trainee will be taught the use of our radio console. Training will be conducted at the Academy and in Communications.

Week 7 - Introduction to the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) where the trainee will be taught all aspect of TLETS to include the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), and the Texas and National Crime Information Center databases (TCIC/NCIC.)

Week 8 - Begin Radio Practice in a training environment and continue CAD practice in both training and live environment.

PHASE II

This phase consists of 15 training days. At this point, training in all aspects has been completed. It is now up to the trainee to show and perform what was taught.

The Trainee will be assigned to a Communications Training Operator (CTO) in which the trainee will be able to apply and demonstrate the amount of knowledge that has been retained from the first phase of training weeks 1 thru 5 & 8.

This phase takes place in the live call-taking environment. The trainee will print all calls handled and placed in the binder provided. At the end of each day, the CTO will go over all the printed calls and point out any discrepancies or problems.

The CTO is allowed, if needed, to quiz the trainee on any subject matter. By the end of this phase, the trainee must be able to perform all duties in Phase I weeks 1-5 & 8.

Upon successful completion of Phase II, the Trainee will then move on to Phase III.

PHASE III

This phase consists of 5 training days during which time the trainee will be able to apply and demonstrate the amount of knowledge that has been retained from the first phase of training during week 7.

This phase takes place in the live call-taking environment in the Communications Center.

The trainee will be required to use the TLETS system in a complete, accurate and timely manner. If in the opinion of the CTO, there has been an insufficient amount of TLETS traffic, the trainee may advance to Phase IV with the understanding that Phase III must be successfully completed as soon as possible during Phase IV.

The Trainee will continue to perform duties from Phase II. The trainee will attend and have to successfully pass the 16-hour TCIC/NCIC Full Access Course.

Upon successful completion of Phase III, the Trainee will then move on to Phase IV.

PHASE IV

This phase consists of 45 training days during which time the Trainee will be able to apply and demonstrate the amount of knowledge that has been retained from the first phase of training during week 6.

This phase takes place in the live dispatching environment in the Communications Center. Assistance from CTO will continue with radio procedures, location of radio equipment, and dispatching techniques.

To avoid burnout or stress from radio traffic, the Trainee will alternate dispatching and call taking on designated days. The Trainee will continue performing duties of Phases II & III.

Upon successful completion of Phase IV, the trainee will then move on to Phase V.

PHASE V

This phase consists of 5 training days. During this final phase, the trainee will be assigned to a different CTO for final evaluation. Under supervision, the CTO will allow the trainee to make the final decisions on all tasks.

The trainee will alternate call taking, TLETS, and dispatching during these 5 days. It is at the CTO's discretion as to how the trainee will alternate these positions. The Trainee's capabilities and knowledge of the entire Communications Section operations will be observed and evaluated.

Because of the possibility of having to work alone due to a partner having to leave early because of illness, injury, or family emergency, the trainee will have to demonstrate the ability to handle all tasks independently without a partner for no more than 3 hours extended throughout the five days. This will help the CTO determine what areas of operation, if any, the trainee is lacking in.

After successfully completing the training program, the trainee must complete the remaining probationary period.

Within six months, the trainee will have to attend a 16-hour TCIC/NCIC Full Access Course.

Within one year, the trainee will have to attend the 40-hour TLETS/NLETS, TCIC/NCIC Course given by the employees from DPS Austin and a 40-hour Basic Telecommunications Course given by the Communications Supervisors and other Training Instructors.