Communicator (Permanent Part Time)

Employment Type: Permanent, Part Time (maximum up to 30 hours per week)

Due date: Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at 3pm.

Expected starting date: (approximately), Monday, November 13th, 2023

2023 hourly rate: $39.80/hour

Condition of Employment:

• Must be available to work fifty percent (50%) of statutory and declared holidays
• Must be available to work four (4) twenty-four (24) hour periods on weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) dates per month.
• 12-hour rotating day and night shifts

Location: Cambridge, ON

As part of the recruitment process, candidates must be willing to do these mandatory processes:

• Interview (in person),
• Hearing test (candidate needs to obtain it on their own),
• PERFEX test (in person),
• Background check
• Psychological Evaluation (in person)
• Critical test (online),

Please send your resume to: [email protected]

The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) requires a Part-time Communicator. The WRPS delivers exceptional police services to its residents. The Waterloo Region is a vital and prosperous community in Southern Ontario that offers the unique combination of a growing urban centre surrounded by four rural communities. You will work in a community proud of its diversity, and within an organization focused on its people.

As the Communicator…

You Will:

• Deal with special circumstance calls as governed by policies, including but not limited to hostage/barricaded persons, assaults and suicidal persons;
• Perform other duties as required.
• Advise officers of additional hazards and route and traffic problems such as construction, accidents, congestion, weather conditions and other information;
• Answer and determine the nature of all incoming calls to the Communications Centre;
• Respond to callers inquiring about call status and handles complaints regarding response time;
• Prepares for and makes court appearances as witnesses if required.
• Query CPIC and systems that interface with CPIC while dispatching or at officer’s requests;
• Gather and collate complete and accurate information by questioning and probing callers;
• Monitor officer workloads, scheduled court appearances, appointments and locations;
• Prioritize and coordinate the activities of officers using a variety of computer-aided communications radio and dispatching equipment;
• Dispatch calls for service for by-law and checks on by-law officers’ wellbeing;
• Monitor units, assess calls for service and respond to radio calls on the radio system by operating and responding to the talk groups on the systems;
• Monitor any member using a police radio as they attend various addresses, check their wellbeing, and respond to any emergency declared via radio;
• Dispatch officers verbally and through Mobile Work Stations (MWS) according to written schedules and work orders, or as required by emergency situations.
• Makes calls for additional assistance for officers, including but not limited to ambulance, hospital and other divisions or departments;
• Responsible to provide, enter and maintain information in the work unit-specific database(s);
• Record and forward particulars of inaccurate information to the appropriately designated person for updating computer records;
• Engage in ongoing Adequacy Standards training and professional development activities; and

You Have:

• Knowledge of radio language, 9000 codes, geographical zones, and phonetic alphabet;
• Communication, interpersonal, and basic crisis counselling skills are used to gather information, answer and re-direct stressful emergency calls, work with individuals with limited communication skills, and recognize and defuse unpleasant or difficult contacts.
• Successful completion of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent as determined by the Ontario Ministry of Education;
• Practical knowledge of use of the multi-channel radio dispatch systems, including but not limited to CAD and NICHE RMS;
• Familiarity with the judicial system, court processes and terminology, and police and community-related agencies to refer callers.
• Two (2) years of previous experience working in a fast-paced environment and multi-tasking, with the ability to carefully listen to and transcribe pertinent information;
• Extensive knowledge of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo Street and road networks.
• Knowledge of police radio protocol, acceptable language, the release of information and authority to broadcast information in accordance with procedures and legislation;
• Analytical skills are required to probe and assess caller needs and prioritize and make decisions quickly to re-assign officers depending on available resources.
• Knowledge of the principles and theories of emergency services dispatching and radio operation, emergency communications procedures and practices and basic crisis intervention skills;

You Are:

• Able to summarize events for direct data entry of emergency calls;
• Able to meet the testing and police security requirements and to maintain confidentiality; and
• Able to comprehend and remain current in policies and procedures, mapping systems and regional directories;
• Able to participate as an effective team member and to support and project values compatible with the organization.
• Able to speak clearly and control rate of speech and compose and broadcast transmission using acceptable police jargon;
• Able to acquire knowledge of police computer networks and systems (e.g., CAD and Niche RMS), legislation, policies, and procedures;
• Able to work independently in a team environment with limited supervision;
• Able to adapt to frequently changing priorities, and to re-organize and re-prioritize calls for service based on severity of calls using available resources;
• Able to hear and comprehend incoming calls and radio messages to interact with and transfer information to police service and public members;

Why join WRPS?

• Strong, supportive leadership
• Dynamic, exciting work environment
• Employee fitness and wellness programs
• Excellent benefits and pension
• Ongoing professional development
• 2023 hourly rate: $39.80/hour

If you’re interested in this position, please apply online by Wednesday, July19, 2023 at 3pm.

Please ensure you provide all supporting information from current and past employment (if applicable) to specify how you meet the requirements for this position in your online profile. You will be assessed based on the information provided in your application.

If you require accommodation in completing the application process, or with any portion of the application process or interview, please email the WRPS at [email protected].

Diversity through inclusion – we are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We thank all applicants; however, only those selected to move forward will be contacted.