Dispatcher Clerk (PRN) - Police Department

Position Summary
The Dispatcher is a non-sworn position responsible for receiving telephone and in-person complaints and requests for police service from the campus community. The Dispatcher dispatches all calls for police services, transmits necessary information to police units, and makes entries into the Department’s Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. The Dispatcher monitors the University’s card-access, CCTV, burglar and fire alarm systems, and dispatches the appropriate agency in response to the alarms. In addition, the Dispatcher dispatches the Emergency Support Team (EST) on medical calls. The Dispatcher is responsible for implementing all duties in accordance with Departmental policies and procedures and must often perform two or more telecommunicative functions at once or in rapid succession.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Receives emergency and non-emergency telephone calls and in-person complaints from the public. Refers non-emergency calls to the appropriate service provider by phone call, written message, or in-person referral.
• Dispatches police personnel using radio system in response to calls for service. This involves assessing and assigning the proper number of units after obtaining critical information from the service requestor.
• Records all police activity on proper forms and/or by entering data in the Department’s CAD system. This activity is conducted concurrently with other Dispatcher tasks.
• Maintains constant contact, by police radio, with police personnel in the field and remains alert for potential problems or threats to personnel safety. Maintains an on-going assessment of personnel availability through active listening to radio traffic.
• Monitors alarm panels by watching or listening and dispatches units to the appropriate alarm. This requires geographic familiarity with the Campus as well as constant monitoring of personnel availability. The Dispatcher must react quickly in contacting personnel at the source of the alarm to determine if the alarm is false or bona fide.
• Monitoring of campus CCTV feeds by viewing monitors in the dispatch center and dispatching appropriate personnel when activity requiring follow-up is observed.
• Monitors by listening to and comprehending several other radio frequencies such as Parking, Bear Patrol, and surrounding jurisdictions.
• Dispatches the Emergency Support Team.
• Monitors and dispatches units in response to calls received on the Emergency “Blue Light” Telephone system.
• Using police telecommunication system, notifies and dispatches appropriate personnel in response to specific incidents requiring investigation.
• Conducts computer inquiries and makes computer entries of stolen property, missing persons, license registrations, etc. Must constantly monitor computer for receipt of messages regarding commission of crimes, wanted persons, stolen vehicles, etc.
• Receives and processes emergency calls for other University departments when they are closed.
• Maintains a constantly updated log of towed vehicles. Maintains computerized files of bicycle registrations, telephone contacts, etc.
• Greets and assists visitors at the public window.
• Responds to inquiries from the public regarding police related services and makes referrals for members of the news media.
• Maintains Department recording equipment so that telephone and radio traffic can be recorded and reviewed by periodically changing discs and checking machines for proper adjustment.
• Reviews “Dispatcher” e-mail on a daily basis; shares pertinent information with on-coming Dispatcher.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Employee is required to sit for extended periods of time.
• Employee may be required to work any shift and to occasionally remain on duty beyond normal shift.
• Employee may occasionally be required to report for duty without prior notice due to emergencies or staffing shortages.

Preferred Qualifications

• Employee is required to have considerable knowledge of communications equipment.
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to operate a computer.
• Considerable knowledge of the geography of the campus and surrounding area.
• Considerable knowledge of Departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of policies, procedures and operating guidelines of NCIC, MULES, REJIS and the FCC; ability to analyze situations objectively and impartially.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Ability to interact successfully and courteously with the public in person and/or by telephone; ability to make emergency decisions under stress and assign priorities based on available information.
• Ability to handle several tasks at one time;.
• Ability to speak clearly and concisely; ability to write legibly and concisely.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Able to successfully complete and maintain REJIS certification.
• Previous experience as a Dispatcher.
• Ability to work all shifts.
• Ability to function effectively in a potentially stressful environment.
• Ability to type a minimum of 35 words per minute with accuracy.
• Ability to listen and effectively communicate via telephone, police radio and in person.
• Good problem solving skills.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent high school certification.
• Successfully pass a drug screen and criminal background investigation.

Grade
G05-H

Salary Range
$15.30 - $21.89 / Hourly

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement
This position is not eligible to receive benefits. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view eligibility criteria.

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability status, protected veteran status, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation. Women, minorities, protected veterans and the disabled are strongly encouraged to apply.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

Applicant Instructions
When you are ready to apply, creating an account only takes a minute. Your account creates a candidate home page which we will use to communicate with you and allows you to apply for jobs and view your application statuses. The first page of the application offers two “Quick Apply” options. Quick Apply allows you to either use a previous application or create a new application using a resume to populate the work experience and education sections of your job application. If using a resume to populate your application, check to ensure the application fields populated accurately. You may skip the “Quick Apply” page by clicking “Next” at the bottom of the page. Documents may be uploaded in the My Experience section of the application. You also have the option to apply with a Linkedin feature, which allows you to apply by using your Linkedin profile to populate some of the job application fields.

Position Summary
The Dispatcher is a non-sworn position responsible for receiving telephone and in-person complaints and requests for police service from the campus community. The Dispatcher dispatches all calls for police services, transmits necessary information to police units, and makes entries into the Department’s Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. The Dispatcher monitors the University’s card-access, CCTV, burglar and fire alarm systems, and dispatches the appropriate agency in response to the alarms. In addition, the Dispatcher dispatches the Emergency Support Team (EST) on medical calls. The Dispatcher is responsible for implementing all duties in accordance with Departmental policies and procedures and must often perform two or more telecommunicative functions at once or in rapid succession.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Receives emergency and non-emergency telephone calls and in-person complaints from the public. Refers non-emergency calls to the appropriate service provider by phone call, written message, or in-person referral.
• Dispatches police personnel using radio system in response to calls for service. This involves assessing and assigning the proper number of units after obtaining critical information from the service requestor.
• Records all police activity on proper forms and/or by entering data in the Department’s CAD system. This activity is conducted concurrently with other Dispatcher tasks.
• Maintains constant contact, by police radio, with police personnel in the field and remains alert for potential problems or threats to personnel safety. Maintains an on-going assessment of personnel availability through active listening to radio traffic.
• Monitors alarm panels by watching or listening and dispatches units to the appropriate alarm. This requires geographic familiarity with the Campus as well as constant monitoring of personnel availability. The Dispatcher must react quickly in contacting personnel at the source of the alarm to determine if the alarm is false or bona fide.
• Monitoring of campus CCTV feeds by viewing monitors in the dispatch center and dispatching appropriate personnel when activity requiring follow-up is observed.
• Monitors by listening to and comprehending several other radio frequencies such as Parking, Bear Patrol, and surrounding jurisdictions.
• Dispatches the Emergency Support Team.
• Monitors and dispatches units in response to calls received on the Emergency “Blue Light” Telephone system.
• Using police telecommunication system, notifies and dispatches appropriate personnel in response to specific incidents requiring investigation.
• Conducts computer inquiries and makes computer entries of stolen property, missing persons, license registrations, etc. Must constantly monitor computer for receipt of messages regarding commission of crimes, wanted persons, stolen vehicles, etc.
• Receives and processes emergency calls for other University departments when they are closed.
• Maintains a constantly updated log of towed vehicles. Maintains computerized files of bicycle registrations, telephone contacts, etc.
• Greets and assists visitors at the public window.
• Responds to inquiries from the public regarding police related services and makes referrals for members of the news media.
• Maintains Department recording equipment so that telephone and radio traffic can be recorded and reviewed by periodically changing discs and checking machines for proper adjustment.
• Reviews “Dispatcher” e-mail on a daily basis; shares pertinent information with on-coming Dispatcher.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Employee is required to sit for extended periods of time.
• Employee may be required to work any shift and to occasionally remain on duty beyond normal shift.
• Employee may occasionally be required to report for duty without prior notice due to emergencies or staffing shortages.

Preferred Qualifications

• Employee is required to have considerable knowledge of communications equipment.
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to operate a computer.
• Considerable knowledge of the geography of the campus and surrounding area.
• Considerable knowledge of Departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of policies, procedures and operating guidelines of NCIC, MULES, REJIS and the FCC; ability to analyze situations objectively and impartially.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Ability to interact successfully and courteously with the public in person and/or by telephone; ability to make emergency decisions under stress and assign priorities based on available information.
• Ability to handle several tasks at one time;.
• Ability to speak clearly and concisely; ability to write legibly and concisely.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Able to successfully complete and maintain REJIS certification.
• Previous experience as a Dispatcher.
• Ability to work all shifts.
• Ability to function effectively in a potentially stressful environment.
• Ability to type a minimum of 35 words per minute with accuracy.
• Ability to listen and effectively communicate via telephone, police radio and in person.
• Good problem solving skills.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent high school certification.
• Successfully pass a drug screen and criminal background investigation.

Grade
G05-H

Salary Range
$15.30 - $21.89 / Hourly

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement
This position is not eligible to receive benefits. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view eligibility criteria.

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability status, protected veteran status, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation. Women, minorities, protected veterans and the disabled are strongly encouraged to apply.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

Applicant Instructions
When you are ready to apply, creating an account only takes a minute. Your account creates a candidate home page which we will use to communicate with you and allows you to apply for jobs and view your application statuses. The first page of the application offers two “Quick Apply” options. Quick Apply allows you to either use a previous application or create a new application using a resume to populate the work experience and education sections of your job application. If using a resume to populate your application, check to ensure the application fields populated accurately. You may skip the “Quick Apply” page by clicking “Next” at the bottom of the page. Documents may be uploaded in the My Experience section of the application. You also have the option to apply with a Linkedin feature, which allows you to apply by using your Linkedin profile to populate some of the job application fields.