Communications Specialist

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We accept applications for Communications Specialists throughout the year. If you apply and there are no current openings, your application will remain on file for 365 days. We will review applications as openings occur. Our hiring process consists of the following: 

(please read through this information carefully and download the application at the bottom of the page)

1. All applicants must be able to meet or exceed the minimum standards for hire as set forth by TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement).
2. The full and complete application can be downloaded on this website here. The application (personal history statement and city application) must be completed and notarized. Every page on the application must be turned in whether that page is blank or not. Incomplete applications will be rejected and mailed back to you.  All requested information must be submitted.  Military service must be confirmed by a copy of the applicant’s form DD214 if applicable.  Applicants are encouraged to review the Minimum Requirements in order to alleviate any disqualification later in the process.
3. Interview will be conducted in front a selected panel of interviewers.  Communication skills, presentation, and content will be assessed at that time by an interview board.
4. Typing Test: A typing test will be administered to ensure you are capable of accurately typing 35 WPM.
5. Background Investigations will be conducted by department investigators, in order to determine an applicant’s history and fitness for duty.  This will include a Criminal History check and a NCIC/TCIC fingerprint check.
6. Psychological Examination (MMPI), a state mandated examination must be successfully completed by all selected applicants.
7. Medical Examination with Drug Screen is necessary in order to determine fitness for duty, lack of drug use, and ensure compliance city policy and state law.
   

Once all of these steps are successfully completed, an applicant may be hired by the Horizon City Police Department.  These steps may seem intimidating; however, it is important to understand that the position of Communication Specialist brings with it a monumental level of responsibility.  Selecting the very best candidate for the position of Communication Specialist for the Town of Horizon City is something that we do not take lightly.  You are welcome to advise us of your interest in our department.

An applicant who will become a Communication Specialist is required to be in acceptable mental condition to perform his/her duties under demanding conditions.  The following specific requirements must be met and maintained throughout the entire selection process:

• Applicant must become licensed with TCOLE as a Telecommunicator within one (1) year.
  Fluently bilingual in English and Spanish required.
• Applicant is a citizen of the United States and a resident of Texas or intends to become a resident upon being employed;
• Applicant is a high school graduate with a diploma, or possesses a GED equivalency certificate.
• Applicant is at least 18 years of age at time off appointment.
• Must have the ability to speak clearly.
• Must be able to work shift hours with the potential of shift rotation as needed.
• Must be decisive under high stress situations.
• Must pass background investigation/pre-employment medical and psychological examination.
• Must be comfortable with the Windows operating system and general computer operation.
• Must be able to multitask successfully and accurately.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS NOT SPECIFIED WILL BE EVALUATED BY THE DEPARTMENT'S PHYSICIAN WHOSE DECISION WILL BE FINAL

DRIVING RECORD:  if the applicant has a valid driver’s license or has had one previously a good driving record is required of an applicant.  It is indicative of the applicant's respect for traffic laws and other characteristics such as good judgment, physical and mental coordination, and respect for others.

An applicant will not be considered for employment if he or she has been convicted of the following:

Alcohol/drug related driving offenses (including deferred judgment and deferred sentence) within the past ten years.

Failure to stop and render aid.

Perjury or making false statements during driver licensing procedures from any state.

An applicant will not be considered for employment at this time if.

Driving privileges have been suspended, canceled or revoked in the three (3) years prior to the application deadline date.

Convicted of five (5) moving violations in the three (3) years prior to the application deadline date.

GOOD MORAL CHARACTER

Is of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation including a fingerprint search conducted of local, state and national fingerprint files and has not been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude.  Moral turpitude is defined as an act of baseness, vileness, or depravity in the private and social duties which a person owes to another person or to society in general, contrary to the accepted and customary rule of right and duty between person and person.  It is conduct that is contrary to justice, honesty or good morals.  The following nonexclusive list of acts has been held by the courts to involve moral turpitude:  income tax evasion, perjury, or its subornation, theft, indecent exposure, sex crimes, conspiracy to commit a crime, defrauding the government and illegal drug sales.  Various factors, however, may cause an offense which is generally not regarded as constituting moral turpitude to be regarded as such.  The offenses of assault, family violence, or other offenses of domestic violence, stalking, and any offense in which a weapon was used in the commission are crimes involving moral turpitude.  No applicant will be considered if convicted of a family violence offense.  Family violence means “any offense whether or not explicitly described in statute as a crime of domestic violence, which has, as its factual basis, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by the victim’s current or former domestic partner or guardian.”  18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9).  Convicted means and excludes from consideration for employment anyone whose conviction has been deferred, expunged, set aside, or who received a pardon.   The character of a person is determined by past behavior.  Many factors are relevant in this assessment. 

The Department seeks applicants whose histories show good judgment, maturity, a sense of responsibility, and the respect of others.  Several factors will be considered:

Has not ever been on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years from the date of the court order.

1.   Conviction or commission of a felony or Class B misdemeanor, as defined by Texas law will disqualify an applicant.  Conviction or commission of any other public offense will be evaluated.
2.    A consistent pattern of unexplained failures to meet debt obligations will be evaluated.
3.    An applicant who gives false or misleading information to the Department on the application or during the application process will be disqualified.
4.    History of excessive use of alcohol will disqualify an applicant.
5.    Unlawful sale of ANY drug(s) will disqualify an applicant.
6.    Unlawful use or experimentation of ANY drug, excluding marijuana and steroids, will disqualify an applicant.
7.    Experimentation with marijuana or steroids will be evaluated.

Unlawful use of marijuana or steroids, within two (2) years of the application deadline date will disqualify an applicant.

OTHER CONDUCT NOT SPECIFIED WILL BE EVALUATED