Police Dispatcher

Salary: $3,680/month – $6,609/month

Position Summary:

The Police Dispatcher is an entry level, uniformed non-sworn, support position for the University Police Department. Under general supervision of the Dispatch and Communications Manager or the watch commander, the Police Dispatcher will perform a variety of specialized support duties within the Police Communication Center. Support duties may include: communication’s dispatching and public counter duties; providing clerical, records and technical support services including operating a centralized computer-aided dispatch (CAD), 9-1-1 and other non-emergency phones, and monitoring campus alarms.

The Police Dispatcher is responsible for maintaining effective and accurate communications between campus law enforcement, the public and other allied agencies. The Police Dispatcher I records and dispatches routine and emergency information promptly, clearly and accurately. Regular use of judgment and discretion is necessary to set priorities, assess the importance of information and react quickly and effectively. The Police Dispatcher will perform a variety of specialized support duties within the Police Communications Center. The Police Dispatcher is required to work rotating shifts which includes nights, weekends and holidays. Overtime maybe required.

Essential Functions:

• Receives emergency and routine requests for services from the campus community and from various electronic communications equipment, i.e., enhanced 911 and other telephone lines, radio transmissions, video display terminals, alarm enunciators, and in-person contacts from citizens in the University Police Department (UPD) lobby
• Elicits and records pertinent and accurate information, and uses judgment and discretion to rapidly assess the nature and priority of information and the necessary response
• Operates UPD and other emergency communications equipment to dispatch officers to calls for service, critical incidents and emergencies
• Identifies locations where assistance is needed, makes rapid determinations as to availability and proximity of the nearest emergency personnel and equipment, and coordinates interagency communications with surrounding jurisdictions
• Responsible for accurate data entry into the computer aided dispatch system.
• Operates police radio and data systems for the purposes of dispatching and communicating with police and other public safety resources
• Enters and retrieves data for police reports, activity logs and criminal information.
• Utilizes automated dispatch and law enforcement systems and databases to enter, research, and retrieve information
• Provides support to other public safety and community service functions including parking and building access services
• Utilizes dispatch and law enforcement systems and databases (both computerized and manual) to maintain department files and reports

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• One year of experience using a switchboard and a two-way radio communication system in a law enforcement or comparable agency within the last ten years, or general telephone operator, transportation dispatcher, or military experience
• Completion of, or the ability to attend and successfully complete, the Police Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Dispatcher Course is required
• Passing score on CritiCall Practical Dispatch Test (to be completed before moving to background phase)

Preferred Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Previous experience with law enforcement or security dispatching
• Bilingual background with fluency in Spanish or Vietnamese
• Possession of a current P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatch certificate
• One year minimum customer service experience in a high pace/busy setting involving multitasking skills