Telecommunications Officer

Thank you for considering a career at Port Houston. We appreciate your interest in joining our team. By applying, you are taking an important step toward advancing your career with an organization committed to excellence.

Port Houston offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a diverse, inclusive work environment. Joining our team means embarking on a fulfilling career path with opportunities for growth and impact.

Before submitting your application, please ensure your resume is ready for upload in either .doc or .pdf format. Application must be completed in full.

Are you ready to think about the future and dream big? At Port Houston, we're seeking individuals who are eager to tackle the most significant challenges of their careers. For over a century, we've been driven by vision and scale, delivering impactful initiatives that shape Houston and the region. Our sustainability and success hinge on attracting, retaining, and nurturing exceptional talent.

When you join Port Houston, you're embarking on a journey towards a fulfilling career path. Take the first step in the right direction-are you READY?

Position Summary:

Supports multiple critical functions to overall Port Houston operations by skillfully managing emergency and non-emergency phone calls. Receives, evaluates, and prioritizes calls in a timely manner and dispatch personnel to manage and control concurrent communications in an orderly fashion. Performs administrative duties appropriate to the nature of emergency/non-emergency calls.

Key Responsibilities/Duties:

• Operate a multi-channel radio console system
• Dispatch Port Police and Fire units to emergency and non-emergency calls for service; relay radio transmissions as necessary
• Dispatch appropriate Port Houston maintenance personnel to after-hours requests from vessels berthed at Port Houston wharves
• Place calls to outside agencies for assistance when requested to do so by on scene responders whether port related or off duty employment
• Coordinate communications between Port Houston responders and other local, state, and federal agencies
• Monitor HarborLights and Automatic Identification System (AIS Live) for vessel traffic within and outside of the Houston Ship Channel
• Continuously track vessel movements (estimated/ actual vessel boarding times & estimated/actual vessel departing times) at the Port Houston wharves
• Verify, confirm, and relay vessel movement with the Houston pilots' office and/or United States Coast Guard vessel traffic (USCG VTS)
• Document and enter "Vessel Arrival-Departure-Shift" information into Port Houston Navis Express/N4 for every vessel and barge that arrives, departs and shifts at a Port Houston wharves
• Verify and confirm vessel spotting instructions to Port Houston police officers upon a vessel arrival via daily ship traffic sheets
• Record air draft/wind draft readings for operations, United States Coast Guard vessel traffic (USCG VTS), and the Houston Pilots office
• Maintain daily wharf and ship reports by posting vessel movements at Port Houston wharves; review for completeness and accuracy
• Update all electronic databases concerning barge operations
• Create water service ticket for fresh water for vessel agents/billing customers for water sales
• Monitor TLETS and NLETS for pertinent communications from other states and federal agencies
• Monitor TCIC and NCIC databases at all times for incoming messages, urgent broadcasts, etc.
• Enter property reported stolen to PHA police department into NCIC and TCIC databases
• Conduct and verify wants, warrants and stolen checks via state and national crime databases of individuals and property at the request of Port Houston police officers
• Monitor Port Houston radio frequencies assigned to contact security in the event assistance is needed at Port Houston gates
• Monitor multiple radio channels to include channel for events that request Port Houston resources for assistance, participate radio test and conduct drills when required
• Monitor close circuit tv cameras for general/suspicious activities on Port Houston cameras
• Verify credentials when checking in and out keys and wristbands
• Maintain security records for the police department, Port Houston gates, and security
• Assist with Emergency Management functions during Emergency Operations Center activations
• Act in accordance with Port Houston core values (respect, excellence, accountability, diligence, and you)
• Perform other duties, as required

Education/Experience:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent required
• Some college preferred
• 1+ years of related emergency dispatch experience required
• Texas Department of Public Safety TCIC/NCIC full access certification within 6 months of employment
• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Basic Telecommunications Operator license within one (1) year of employment

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Behaviors:

• Advanced knowledge of computers and maritime and billing software
• Knowledge of TLETS/NLETS (Texas & National Law Enforcement Telecommunication System) Certification, TCIC/NCIC Certification, Interpol Certification, CJIS Security
• Knowledge of Port Houston Visitors Management System
• Customer service skills
• Attention to details and effective organizational skills
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with all levels of employees, management, and customers
• Ability to achieve and maintain Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) security clearance
• Ability to multi-task, document records and enter data
• Ability to stay focused
• Ability to remain calm, communicate effectively and efficiently during stressful emergency situations
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to follow procedures
• Ability to maintain confidentiality requirements
• Ability to comprehend and communicate information received from Omnixx Force (Texas Department of Public Safety Law Enforcement Support)
• Ability to perform general data entry tasks
• Considered essential employees and may be required to work on holidays, evenings, nights, and be immediately recalled for emergencies at anytime. They must remain available and "on call" 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, dependent on emergency

Key Competencies Required:

• Ability to Conceptualize
• Adaptability
• Attention to Detail
• Composure Under Stress
• Managing Work

This work site location of this job is:
Port Coordination Center

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but due to open office environment noise level may occasionally be high. To apply, please go to porthouston.com/careers. Only applications submitted through the Port Houston Careers website will be acknowledged. Port Houston is an equal opportunity employer and participates in the E-Verify program supervised by the U.S. Government.

Disclaimer:

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

We appreciate your interest in Port Houston. Port Houston is an equal employment opportunity employer. Port Houston's policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Port Houston also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Application must be completed in full.