Public Safety Dispatcher I

Syracuse, NY
Syracuse University

Salary: $20.11 per hour.

Position Summary:

A Public Safety Dispatcher I is a position that is responsible for all law enforcement emergency and non-emergency safety and security communications for the University community. This position operates within Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Essential Functions:

  • Communicate via radio and telephone with patrol units, with various University service and auxiliary departments and with the Onondaga County 911 Center.
  • Practices proper radio dispatching techniques using appropriate terminology in a calm and professional manner.
  • Monitor, acknowledge and dispatch various alarms and access control systems events, and is responsible for monitoring a vast campus wide closed circuit television (CCTV) video security system.
  • Provide professional and composed verbal communications with outside police agencies and the general public; maintaining sound customer service practices and meeting the needs of community members under sometimes stressful conditions is essential.
  • Operate an extensive array of law enforcement and emergency related communications equipment as well as the latest computer software related technologies, including alert systems, intrusion and duress alarms.
  • Manage all records pertaining to daily tour of duty.
  • Prioritize all radio and telephone communications. Answer multiple telephone lines, receiving emergency and non-emergency calls for law enforcement, safety and security services, and dispatch patrol and other units to respond.
  • Make urgent and critically important decisions regarding emergency situations based on knowledge, skills and policies and procedures.
  • Monitor video security system CCTV as assigned and report and/or dispatch any anomalies.
  • Prioritize all radio and telephone communications. Answer multiple telephone lines, receiving emergency and non-emergency calls for law enforcement, safety and security services, and dispatch patrol and other units to respond.
  • Make urgent and critically important decisions regarding emergency situations based on knowledge, skills and policies and procedures.
  • Monitor video security system CCTV as assigned and report and/or dispatch any anomalies.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  • An Associate’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.
  • Must be able to obtain a New York State Division of Licensing security guard license.
  • Successfully pass a 480-hour field training program.
  • Must be proficient in data entry/keyboarding using various Microsoft Office and law enforcement applications.
  • Must successfully pass a background investigation, including but not limited to an initial drug screening and psychological exam.
  • Good knowledge of the geography, patrol territories, roads, streets, buildings owned/operated by the university and special hazards within the University Campus.
  • Must have strong communications skills and ability to communicate with a diverse community.
  • Must be able to operate and perform under varying degrees of stress and pressure and be able to prioritize emergencies.
  • Multi-task in a high-volume, community and student service centered environment.
  • Must have the ability to be creative and innovative in problem-solving.
  • Candidates may be required to sit for extended periods of time.
  • Must be willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays and be flexible with schedule.
  • Must be willing to work unplanned overtime, special events, planned overtime, and overtime related to emergency call back.
  • Candidates must have the ability to effectively engage in communications that are often various and multiple, e.g.: hearing alarms, speaking clearly and hearing feedback on multi-channel radio system, speaking clearly and understanding various dialects on the telephone, viewing live-streaming video with adept concentration skills, navigating various software technologies including those associated with law-enforcement applications and Internet-based websites, and excellent data entry skills.