KPCN Control Room Operator

Job description

As an operator you will be responsible for receiving, assessing, prioritising and forwarding urgent calls (requests for assistance) from the public. You will register these and then arrange for adequate assistance to be provided. You will receive and process requests for assistance from colleagues and will be responsible for controlling the deployment of police and for communication during (large-scale) incidents. Sometimes you will also be required to deal with non-urgent calls. You will perform your work under the operational leadership of the head of the control room, to whom you will also be accountable.

The organisation

The Dutch Caribbean Police Force (Korps Politie Caribisch Nederland, KPCN) is a small and dynamic force whose work covers the islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. Although small in size, its work includes all the processes of a fully-fledged police force. KPCN employees are vigilant, service-oriented, resolute and professional. We are looking for enthusiastic, versatile and flexible employees who want to help us build the force for the future.

The department

The control room is where calls are received and translated into action as required. The way in which the emergency services and the police interpret requests for emergency assistance determines, to a large extent, the confidence that the public have in them. We frequently receive multiple requests for assistance from the police, fire brigade, ambulance services and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (Koninklijke Marechaussee) and the control room explicitly plays a controlling and coordinating role as well. A manager can always be contacted by telephone whenever decisions have to be taken which fall outside your remit.

Competencies

• The ability to cope with stress.
• Good planning and organisational skills.
• Good listening skills.
• A naturally strong character.
• The ability to empathise.
• The capacity to assess.
• A team player.

Job requirements

• You have a senior secondary vocational education (MBO 3) level of professional and intellectual ability.
• You have knowledge and experience of control room technology, communication resources and the relevant computer programmes and applications.
• You have an excellent knowledge and command of Dutch, Papiamentu and English, with an active command of Spanish being a definite asset.
• You have excellent communication skills and have the ability to communicate with callers in a client-friendly way and establish the nature and seriousness of the call during the course of the conversation.
• You have excellent conversation techniques and you are skilled in controlling and managing a conversation.
• You have a flexible attitude both with regard to the content of the work and in relation to working hours, which are arranged in accordance with a (24/7) roster.
• You have a mature attitude towards performing your duties, you take responsibility and this means that you are proactive, assertive and able to deal with stress and respond quickly in emergency situations.
• You find it fulfilling to get to the bottom of what is going on.
• You have an honest and client-friendly attitude, you know the rules and this is reflected in your behaviour.
• You realise that you are the face of the Dutch Caribbean Police Force.
• Preferred candidates will be those who already have police experience.
• You have completed specific training which was focused on control room activities.
• You have up-to-date and relevant knowledge of legislation and regulations, directives, Public Prosecution Service instructions, protocols, standards, decision-making rules and procedures which are applicable to the control room.
• You have knowledge and experience of emergency assistance and incident management and know how to apply these in practice.
• You have insight into procedures and the organisation in practical situations and understand the relationship between the various control room processes.
• You have thorough knowledge of privacy legislation and will be careful to comply with this legislation when performing your work.

If you do not fulfil all the requirements, but are still interested in the job, KPCN will provide you with the necessary training where possible. However, you will be expected to do all you can to fulfil these requirements within a reasonable period of time.

What do we offer?

• An appointment in conformity with the Rechstpositiebesluit Ambtenaren BES (BES Legal Status of Civil Servants Decree);
• A salary in line with the market, in initial salary scale 6 and job salary scale 7 a gross monthly salary between a minimum of $2.282,- and a maximum of $3.470,- based on a work week of 36 hours. A pay grade based on knowledge and experience;
• A holiday pay (8.33% of the annual income);
• A13^th month (8.33% of the annual income);
• Vitality allowance;
• A pension plan administered by Pensioenfonds Caribisch Nederland (PCN);
• 182 holiday hours based on a work week of 36 hours;
• A temporary appointment of one year with the prospect of a permanent appointment in case of good performance and a positive appraisal;
• A relocation scheme for applicants not living in the island.

Procedure

An assessment, case and/or reference check may be part of the procedure.
This vacancy is being advertised internally and externally, and the following order will be considered in the selection process:

• Official RCN staff on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (internal);

• Residents of the Caribbean part of the Netherlands (external);
• Other candidates (external);

Terms of appointment

• A Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG);
• A medical examination for admission to the pension fund (Participation is mandatory, including a personal contribution);
• Dutch citizenship.

Important information for interested applicants living outside the Caribbean Netherlands

• The salary is paid in American dollars, the official currency in the Caribbean Netherlands;
• The Caribbean Netherlands has its own tax regulations. Income above the tax-free allowance $21,956 in 2026 is taxed at 29.4% in the first bracket (up to an income of $53,198). A tax rate of 38.4% applies to the second bracket;
• You are or will become a resident of the Caribbean Netherlands.

More information?

For information about the job vacancy, please contact Mr. Frank van der Lende, Head of Department BPZ at +599 795 5724.

Digital applications

You may send your curriculum vitae with cover letter to: vacature@rijksdienstCN.com.