Police Resource Specialist - City of Odessa

Department: Police

Reports to: Police Resource Specialist Supervisor

Summary: Provides assistance to the public regarding complex law enforcement problems in person, or via the telephone from the front desk of the Odessa Police Department. Work varies from day to day and from hour to hour depending on the number and types of calls and walk-ins.

Essential Functions: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Responsible for monitoring the lobby and areas under the surveillance of Municipal Court and the Police Department's security cameras, summoning assistance when problems in these areas are detected. Controls elevator and door access into the various Police divisions and units.
• Serves as the Department Information Center by providing guidance and assistance to people coming into the Police building. Ensures all visitors are properly signed in, the appropriate pass is issued and that all passes are returned.
• Maintains a log of all visitors, a summary of all telephone calls and all persons walking into the Police building to report incidents. Prepares monthly and yearly statistics reports, which reflect the totals of these logs and summaries.
• Processes telephone calls for service and prepares basic police reports, in person or via the telephone, for which a personal police response is not necessary. Ensures that reports to be entered into NCIC/TCIC are transmitted to Dispatch.
• Answers questions concerning traffic laws, criminal offenses, civil issues and city ordinances.
• Testifies in court.
• Attends in-service and special schools and engages in off-duty study, as necessary, in order to maintain up-to-date knowledge of law enforcement issues.
• Signs for certified mail, supply and package deliveries and notifies the appropriate personnel.
• Completes or assists the public in completing on line police reports utilizing the lobby kiosks.
• Receives found property or evidence brought to the front desk and enters it into the File On Q database. Takes photographs of victims' injuries, text messages, voice mail recordings, vehicle damages, or other evidence and enters it into the File On Q database.
• Supports the departmental operations with regular and timely attendance.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Odessa and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines: High School Diploma or GED required. Higher education level or equivalent training or experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to read, write, understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Must maintain confidentiality and complete Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) training.
• Have knowledge of Texas criminal and traffic laws or ability to quickly learn needed information.
• Spanish-speaking skills are helpful.

Other requirements: Must complete Personal History Questionnaire. Must pass the following selection process: Background investigation, oral interview, polygraph, medical physical, drug screen.

Physical Requirements:

• Lifting: 10+ pounds to lift and carry office supplies, files or equipment.
• Agility: Required to use fine manipulation in dialing and answering telephones, in using computers, photocopiers, and other office equipment. Required to write reports and maintain logs.
• Vision: Required to see visual signals such as flashing lights, cursors, displays on computer, calculator, copy machine, etc.. Must watch computer visual display; be able to visually scan the lobby to ensure the security of the department, visitors and staff.
• Hearing: Uses auditory senses for receiving oral communications in person or by telephone; to receive and give information, etc., in the course of working with visitors or telephone contacts.
• Reading: Required to read handwritten reports, directions, schedules, maps, manuals and educational materials.
• Writing: Required to write reports, fill out forms, take written examinations in a comprehensive and legible manner.
• Speaking: Required to clearly enunciate while receiving or relaying information to staff, police personnel, other key personnel and visitors by telephone or in person in emergency and non-emergency situations. Spanish-speaking skills are helpful.
• Environment: Required to sit or stand for extended periods of time while performing job duties.
• Other Physical Requirements: May be required to stand, walk, bend, squat, kneel, reach overhead, lift overhead, knee stand, push and pull in order to perform job duties. This employee primarily works indoors.

License and certification requirements: A valid Texas State Driver's License is required.