Communications Specialist
Date Posted: Jun 16, 2026
Requisition ID: 478972
Location:
Bloomington, IN, US, 47401
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR):
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources protects, enhances, preserves, and wisely uses natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the benefit of Indiana's citizens through professional leadership, management, and education. The DNR Law Enforcement Division ensures that patrons observe the rules, regulations, and safety guidelines of Indiana parks and associated properties. They also provide educational programming such as boating, hunting, off-roading, snowmobiling, and trapping safety courses.
The Central Dispatch Center is located at Paynetown State Recreation Area near Bloomington. IN. Central Dispatch maintains radio contact with Conservation Officers across the state and provides the means for the public, law enforcement agencies, and DNR properties to gain immediate assistance and response. Central Dispatch also manages calls to report poaching and pollution in state parks, recreation, and gaming areas.
Role Overview:
This position is at a 24/7 Statewide Law Enforcement Dispatch Center for the Department of Natural Resources and is located at the Paynetown State Recreation Area in Bloomington, Indiana. Dispatchers work on a 2-2-3 shift rotation with pay periods consisting of a total of 75 hours in 14 days. Position is required to work on weekends (every other) and Holidays (if it is on a regular scheduled day to work). There are opportunities for overtime. The salary for this position is $42,900 annually/$22.00 hourly, as well as compensation for 12 to 14 holidays a year. State employees accrue paid leave time (vacation, sick and personal) annually and are also offered benefit options for health, vision, dental and life insurance and retirement. The training for position may require the ability/availability to work shifts that differ from the actual shift that is hired. An ideal candidate would have excellent customer service skills, the ability to multitask and be very detail oriented.
Salary:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $42,900.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator (https://in.accessgov.com/spd/Forms/Page/spd/compensation-calculator/0) to view the total compensation package.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
Maintain constant contact with field units to ensure officer safety and inform Post Command of all activities.
Receive, analyze, and answer Turn in a Poacher (TIP) and other emergency calls and dispatch while maintaining an accurate radio log.
Perform functions such as routing of correspondence and forwarding all reports.
Relay radio traffic from other DNR properties and personnel.
Compile and record daily attendance variations and schedule changes from the operational districts.
Order and maintain various office supplies for Central Dispatch.
Assist with the coordination of media contacts dealing with drowning, watercraft, Off-Road Vehicles, hunting, and automobile accidents, and personal injury accidents on department properties.
Operate a computer for the purposes of Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) registration, retrieving, analyzing, and entering of Indiana Data and Communications System (IDACS) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) information, as well as accessing hunting, fishing, and trapping license information.
Coordinate a multitude of search and rescue efforts including those involving water rescues, K-9 searches, and lost individuals in state and national forests.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
What You'll Need for Success:
Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:
Above average communication skills.
Advanced skills in the operation and proper jargon utilized for multiple frequency police radio dispatch procedures.
Advanced?skills relative?to the operation of various office equipment (@typewriter, telephone, fax, alpha pager, 800MHz, calculator, copy machine, microfiche viewer, computer, etc.)
Working knowledge of department programs, state statutes, administrative?codes and standard operating procedures, and the ability to research them.
Ability to reference?department documents?and source material.
Ability to make?decisions regarding appropriate action concerning correspondence.
Ability to deal with the public and perform?duties under extreme stress situations.
Ability to follow procedures?for all dispatch operations in emergencies.
Ability to work alone without constant supervision.
Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
You must satisfy the following requirements to continue employment:
Ability to successfully complete?450 hours of mentored training.
Ability to obtain certificate for IS-700 NIMS introduction training.
Ability to complete ICS-100 Incident Command System introduction training.??
Ability to pass IDACS operator and coordinator's test.
Ability to become certified in Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Dispatching.
Ability to become certified in telephone CPR.
A degree is not required. However, a High School Diploma or High School Equivalent (HSE) is required.
Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
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