Maryland Natural Resources Police Communications Operator
The main purpose of the Police Communications Operator (PCO) is to facilitate officer safety by monitoring police radio transmissions and utilizing all communications equipment to that end. PCOs prioritize, process, and dispatch information accurately, clearly, and concisely over phones and two-way radios in a manner that avoids information errors/omissions. Errors and/or omissions could put responders and/or citizens in unnecessary danger. Police Communications Operators utilize CAD/METERS/NCIC systems to process/dispatch information. Police Communications Operators facilitate the sharing and dispatching of information during emergency situations involving allied agencies and handle forwarded 911 emergency calls. They assist citizens with the following: reporting potential violations of the law, requests for law enforcement and emergency services, and requests for general information. Their position requires the ability to multitask and perform well under stressful conditions. PCOs must successfully complete APCO Training, Meters Training, 700 Mhz radio training, and complete yearly in-service training and re-certification requirements. Additionally, PCOs provide administrative support to all Agencies of the Department of Natural Resources.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Natural Resources Police, is currently accepting applications at the Police Communications Operator I level for vacancies located at the DNR Communications Center at 1072 E. College Parkway in Annapolis, Maryland. Police Communications Operators are required to multi-task, have excellent verbal communication skills, and be highly motivated. Police Communications Operators are responsible for receiving, reviewing, transmitting, tracking, and recording law enforcement communications and ensuring the safety of Natural Resources Police Officers, DNR employees, park visitors, and users of the State’s natural resources. The essential job functions include operating a 700MHz statewide multi-channel radio system; operating the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer system; operating a Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system; answering a multi-line telephone system; effectively communicating with internal and external personnel as well as providing excellent customer service to all callers; and maintaining accurate documentation of all incidents, accidents, and requests for service. These duties are performed in a fast-paced environment that is periodically stressful in nature.
Police Communications Operator I (Grade 14): $50,392 - $80,551
Police Communications Operator II (Grade 15): $53,627 - $85,951
- Eligible with one year of service.
Police Communications Operator III (Grade 16): $57,095 - $91,742
- Eligible with two years of experience.
Police Communications Operator Supervisor (Grade 18): $64,828 - $104,555
- Eligible with three years of experience.
Leave
- Annual Leave
- Annual leave may be accumulated to a maximum of 75 days or 600 hours and carried into a new calendar year.
- Employees will earn annual leave at the following rates:
| Years of Service | Days Earned Per Year |
|---|
Less than 5
| Up to 10 |
5 to 10
| Up to 15 |
11 to 19
| Up to 20 |
20 or more
| Up to 25 |
- Personal Leave
- Employees are awarded 6 personal days per calendar year.
- Holidays
- Employees receive 12 holidays each year and an additional holiday in election years.
- Sick Leave
- Employees earn 15 days of sick leave every calendar year and accumulate on a bi-weekly basis.
- Unused sick leave hours are carried over into subsequent calendar years.
- Military Leave
- Employees in the armed forces are entitled to 15 days of military leave per calendar year for training
- For more detailed information on the previously mentioned types of as well as other types of leave offered you can also refer to the Maryland Department of Budget and Management's leave information page here.
Health Coverage
- The State of Maryland offers employees medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage. Employees are also eligible for life, accidental death, and dismemberment insurance plans at low group rates.
Click here to find out more .
Flexible Spending Accounts
- Employees are offered the opportunity to enroll in both Healthcare and Dependent Daycare flexible spending accounts.
Retirement
Student Loan Forgiveness
- Employees with the State of Maryland are eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Participants who meet all requirements may qualify for forgiveness on the remaining balance on his or her Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time in a qualifying public service position.
Free Mass Transit Benefit
- Permanent State employees are entitled to use the Baltimore Light Rail, the Baltimore Metro Subway, the Baltimore Bus Service (Local Bus Service and Express Bus Service), as well as the following Baltimore Region Commuter Bus Routes:
- Route 210 (Kent Island and Annapolis to Downtown Baltimore)
- Route 215 (Downtown Baltimore and Cromwell Station to Annapolis)
- Route 310 (Columbia to Downtown Baltimore/Johns Hopkins Hospital)
- Route 320 (Downtown Baltimore to Jessup/Columbia)
- Route 410 (Churchville and all stops in Harford County to Downtown Baltimore)
- Route 411 (White Marsh and Hickory and all stops in Harford County to Downtown Baltimore)
- Route 420 (White Marsh, U.S. 40 and Ebenezer Rd. and Union Ave. to Downtown Baltimore)
- There is no charge to the permanent State employee with a valid State ID card. This benefit can be used any time of the day or evening, including weekends. The Free Mass Transit Benefit does not include MARC trains, commuter buses that serve Washington, D.C., or any special event buses. For all transit schedules and maps, including MTA’s commuter bus map showing the Baltimore buses, please click:
Transit Schedules.
Minimum Requirements
- Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
- Experience: None.
- Applicants must pass an oral interview and background investigation before being hired.
Contact Us
1072 East College Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21409
Tel: (410) 260-8888
Commander - Acting Lieutenant Mance McCall
Records Section Commander - Sergeant Angie Shirley
Communications Supervisors - Sergeant Kristen Mulhearn, Acting Sergeant Mark Miller
Records Section
To obtain copies of reports, statistical data, and records from NRP Activities,
request a copy of an Official Police Report.
If you have any questions, please contact the Records Section at 410-295-464
