Public Safety Systems Specialist

Performs complex technical and analytical work supporting public safety software, data systems, reporting, and technology operations. Serves as the primary administrator for routine operation of assigned police department systems, including user management, configuration, testing, troubleshooting, data exchange, reporting support, and system documentation. Works under general direction with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

Required Additional Documents

Applicants will need to download the below required documents (Hiring Process Letter and Background Waiver) to be submitted with the online application: Applications without these documents will be considered incomplete and may result in disqualification.
 

• Hiring Process Letter
• Background Waiver 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Administers assigned police department software and public safety systems, including RMS, Standards, Guardian Tracking, electronic warning and citation systems, PowerDMS, and other assigned platforms.
• Performs routine user administration, permissions management, account setup and removal, pick list maintenance, configuration changes, and other approved system administration tasks.
• Performs daily system support and troubleshooting. Receives and documents user issues, identifies likely causes, resolves problems within assigned authority, coordinates with City Information Technology when appropriate, and escalates significant or recurring issues to the manager or vendor.
• Coordinates monthly and periodic software release activities for assigned systems, including review of release information, testing, documentation of impacts, communication with users, and implementation of approved changes.
• Supports implementation of new software, integrations, modules, workflows, and technology projects. Performs testing, documents results, assists with user acceptance, and helps prepare systems for production use.
• Collects, validates, extracts, and organizes data from department systems for recurring reports, management requests, accreditation needs, grant applications, audits, strategic planning, and analysis projects.
• Creates and maintains recurring reports, queries, dashboards, maps, charts, and data products using Power BI, Crystal Reports, ArcGIS, or similar tools as assigned.
• Maintains system documentation, technical procedures, configuration records, user guides, testing records, vendor support information, and continuity materials for assigned systems.
• Assists with policy administration by maintaining approved policy documents inclusive of CALEA Standards in the department policy management system, routing drafts and revisions through established workflows, tracking acknowledgments, and publishing approved changes. Provides technical or system related information for policy drafts when requested.
• Supports grant development by gathering technical specifications, system information, quotes, data, performance measures, and other supporting material requested by the manager for grant applications and required reporting.
• Researches software features, system options, vendor solutions, and technical alternatives and provides findings and recommendations to the manager.
• Assists with department audits, accreditation analysis, administrative reviews, and the release of training on PowerDMS, and operational reviews by producing requested system records, reports, access information, and supporting data.
• Provides user support and training for assigned systems and develops practical instructions that help employees use public safety technology accurately and efficiently.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Associate’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in a Technology, Criminal Justice, Business, or related field and a minimum of one-year related work experience supporting software systems, databases, reporting, public safety technology, or a related function.

OR

• High school diploma and a minimum of three years related work experience supporting software systems, databases, reporting, public safety technology, or a related function.

Required Certificates and Licenses

• Valid driver’s license Texas or any other US State

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university.
• Two or more years related work experience with public safety systems, software administration, data reporting, or technology support.
• Experience working for a governmental entity such as a city, county, or state agency.
• Work experience with Power BI, Crystal Reports, SQL based query tools, or similar reporting and visualization tools.
• Work experience using ArcGIS or similar mapping software.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  

• Knowledge of police administration, organization, records, and public safety technology workflows.
• Knowledge of City and departmental policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable criminal laws, city ordinances, administrative requirements, and security requirements relevant to assigned systems and data.
• Knowledge of police data needs, records workflows, prosecutor reporting needs, and state and federal crime data reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of databases, data collection, validation, reporting, system interfaces, user permissions, and basic data governance principles.
• Ability to maintain advanced operational knowledge of assigned public safety software and perform system administration, testing, troubleshooting, reporting, and documentation tasks.
• Ability to troubleshoot software and reporting problems, identify root causes, document issues, and develop effective solutions within established law, policy, security requirements, and assigned authority.
• Skill in the use of public safety technology, software, specialized equipment, and reporting tools.
• Ability to follow security, access control, confidentiality, and data protection procedures and identify issues requiring escalation.
• Skill in using resources effectively, managing competing tasks, documenting work, and identifying ways to improve service and system reliability
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, accept direction, coordinate with users and technical personnel, and independently complete assigned responsibilities
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, technical staff, vendors, and other stakeholders in written, verbal, and visual formats.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.   Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position.