Radio Operator And Call Taker – Act Policing Communications

Job Details

 

 

EMPLOYMENT TYPE – Ongoing Full time  

LOCATION – ACT

AFP BAND & SALARY  – Band 03, $67,208.00 – $78,467.00

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER – 10854

 

This advertisement is to fill current vacancies and create a merit pool for future ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies arising over the next 12 months.

 

Did you know?

 

The mission of the Australian Federal Police is to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia. It provides policing throughout Australia in relation to the prevention and detection of crimes against the Commonwealth, its laws and integrity, and community police services to the Community of the ACT.

 

Working for the AFP provides you with a diverse and rewarding career. Whether you immerse yourself in a position on the frontline, or provide critical operational or professional support, the work you do makes a big impact to the people of Australia. 

 

We recognise your contribution to our workforce and offer generous remuneration and conditions including:

 

• Six weeks (30 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down 
• 4 extra mandatory leave rest days per year 
• 18 days of paid personal leave per year
• Generous superannuation of 15.4%
• 16 weeks of paid maternity leave (after 12 months of service) + an additional 36 weeks of maternity leave without pay
• Generous salaries and incremental salary progression governed by the AFP Enterprise Agreement 
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangement that provides work/life balance
• Access to ongoing training and development to support ambitions 
   

What is the role?

 

Applications are sought from suitably qualified applicants wishing to be considered for the role of Radio Operator and Call Taker – ACT Policing Communications.

 

ACT Policing Communications is ACT Policing’s 24/7 communications and operations centre providing support to ACT Police Officers and the community, centralising telephone and radio communications and monitoring public safety CCTV systems.

 

Radio Operator/ Call Takers are responsible for the coordination and management of the ACT Policing response to incidents using the AFP Police Radio Network and the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. The role also involves the answering, assessment and recording of emergency 000 and non-emergency 131444 calls from the Canberra community to ensure the necessary policing response.

 

All shortlisted applicants will be required to undergo specific Psychometric testing by an external agency with the costs borne by The AFP. The results of this testing may exclude applicants from this selection process.

 

Suitable candidates will be commencing with the AFP for an initial 8-week training phase in one of the two Operator training courses being held in October 2023 and February 2024. 

 

A merit pool of suitable applicants will be established as a result of the selection process. The pool will remain valid for a period of 12 months and may be used to fill future vacancies.

 

You will also be required to contribute to the achievement of outcomes in accordance with the regulatory framework, the AFP Code of Conduct and the AFP Governance Instruments. It is expected that the successful applicant will deliver on the core responsibilities and meet any requirements of the position as outlined below.
 

What will you do?

 

The role of a Radio Operator/ Call Taker in ACT Policing Communications is challenging, high-pressure and rewarding. We, like ACT Policing more broadly, work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

 

Radio Operator/ Call Takers are responsible for coordinating the necessary ACT Policing response to calls for assistance and attendance in accordance with the priority response system. This includes the operation of the AFP’s radio communications network and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to dispatch, coordinate and support ACT Policing officers.

 

Radio Operator/ Call Takers respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for assistance and general enquiries from members of the Canberra public, government agencies, businesses and other AFP business areas. The role will record, monitor and report on operational activities using AFP ICT systems.

 

The role requires 24/7 shift work including night and weekend hours and is subject to the appropriate conditions of the ‘Rostered Operations Working Pattern’ as detailed in the AFP Enterprise Agreement. Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with these conditions and requirements which includes the payment of the Rostered Operations Core Composite of 22% of the Base Salary which will count as salary for superannuation.

 

During the initial 5 weeks of the training phase, you will be learning full-time (40 hours per week) Monday to Friday in business hours. You will then undertake a 3-week placement in ACT Policing Communications where you will be trained guided and monitored by trainers on day and afternoon shifts.

 

Upon successful completion of training, you will be placed on a team in ACT Communications and rostered predominately 12 hour shifts on a 5-week roster averaging 40 hours per week. You will be initially engaged in a probation period of 6 months where you must satisfy work standards to retain employment in the AFP.

 

 

The Successful Applicants Will Possess

• The capacity to work flexibly and multi-task in an organised, calm and focused manner to achieve outcomes with a high level of professionalism and attention to detail.
• Excellent customer service, communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to apply practical, technical skills in the use of computer applications including the ability to touch type.

Essential Requirements

 

• You must be an Australian Citizen.
• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
• Medical Clearance and a Hearing Test
• AFP Psychological screening

 

Additional Requirements

 

• Medical Clearance and Hearing Test;
• AFP Psychological screening; and
• An assessment centre may be used to ascertain suitability for the role.

 

Selection Criteria

 

• Organising your work, making sound decisions and achieving outcomes
• Communicating and working effectively with other people
• Applying technical knowledge, expertise and skills

 

With reference to the above list of attributes of the successful applicants, you must respond to a specific question in a 1-2-page pitch by describing how your knowledge, abilities, and experience are applicable to the position.

Question:

 

As a Radio Operator/Call Taker in ACT Policing Communications, you will directly interact with the broad Canberra community including people who may be in distress. You will also face times of pressure where multitasking, prioritisation of responsibilities, collaboration with others, and the use of technology will be essential to meet objectives.

 

How will your knowledge, abilities and experience enable you to perform well in this context? Please detail how you have professional communicated, accomplished work under pressure, collaborated with others and utilised technology in comparable situations in the past in your response.