Emergency Communication Specialist

University of Kansas, United States

Updated: about 2 years ago
Location: Lawrence, KANSAS
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

20602BR

Public Safety Office


Position Overview

The University of Kansas is seeking full-time dispatchers that will work with police and emergency personnel to protect the lives, health, safety and property of the public by expeditiously receiving, analyzing, interpreting evaluating and prioritizing emergent and non-emergent information via the telephone, radio, computer, alarms, printers, and in person contacts. The position also processes and maintains police records.

Flexible scheduling is available for all openings including four-day work weeks for three different work shifts 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., 2 p.m. – 12a.m. and 10 p.m. – 8 a.m. Sunday through Saturday.  Schedules may be rotated for weekend coverage needs depending upon coverage.  All dispatch positions will be offered the ability to pick up additional shifts or be asked to provide coverage on an as needed basis.

The University of Kansas Lawrence Campus seeks individuals with demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive learning and working environment. We value the ability to engage effectively with students, faculty, staff of diverse backgrounds.

Salary And Benefits

The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $16.34 - $17.14 per hour.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The University of Kansas offers a competitive benefit package to employees such as paid vacation, sick leave, ten paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development and programming opportunities.


Job Description

All duties are performed in accordance with department and state regulations, Federal Communication Commission regulations and the National Crime Information Center policies.

Responsibilities include:
25% - Utilize multiple computer systems to include computer aided dispatch (CAD), telephones, alarms and emergency notification systems. Make rapid, accurate and complete system formats and codes. Follow established procedures and policies. Report software/hardware problems to the supervisor, perform minor adjustments and basic maintenance. Monitor and/or operate alarm systems to include intrusion, fire, armed robbery, anti-theft, National Weather Service and Civil Defense warning systems. Route emergency information to proper personnel.

20% - Operate a radio base station sending and receiving messages with emergency service personnel and agencies in accordance with FCC regulations and established procedures. Hear and understand the content of simultaneous/multiple voice transmissions while monitoring multiple radio frequencies to include Kansas University Office of Public Safety, Lawrence Police, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical, Douglas County Sheriff, Kansas Highway Patrol and other University divisions. Identify frequencies by observing multicolored light indicators on the radio console or hearing and distinguishing voices and/or tones. Use proper methods of transmitting that involves activating buttons located on the radio console and relaying information to responding units and shift supervisors in an accurate and concise manner. Log pertinent information and monitor the status and location of on-duty units.

20% - Answer public safety telephone business lines, administrative lines and 911 emergency lines for the University and Douglas County. Use proper communication techniques in answering inquiries dealing with complaints. Prioritize by importance.  Uses communication techniques to calm excited and/or verbally abusive callers to gather incident specific data. Dispatch emergency services to include police, fire and medical, as needed. Make telephone notifications to personnel and administrators relaying pertinent information, as appropriate or as requested. Log telephone calls as required.  Manages a text telephone for TTY/hearing impaired.

15% - Operate a highly technical data transmission and retrieval computer using proper codes to send, relay and receive information from other criminal justice agencies. Use appropriate computer codes, formats and policies. Provide general information, as requested, by emergency service responders, administrators and the general public.

10% - Coordinate communications in routine and emergency situations. Manage the total communication operation that frequently involves multi-tasking the following: answer and prioritize multiple phone calls; rapid and independent dispatch decisions based on appropriate rules, regulations, policies and procedures; monitor and record in a computer data base radio transmission system; coordinate emergency response units. Ensure established deadlines are met, as applicable. Maintain logs, records and reports in conformance with appropriate policies and procedures.

5% - Participate in training as directed by supervisor and/or the department. May be requested to work special/emergency assignments including but not limited to major crime scenes, large University events and/or disaster sites.  May assist the public by providing information concerning the University, department policies/procedures and job-related topics.

5% - Other duties as assigned.


Position Requirements

  • U.S. citizen or non-U.S. citizen legally able to perform the work in or for the United States. (NOTE: Naturalized U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens legally able to perform work in or for the U.S. must provide appropriate official documentation for proof of such.)
  • Must possess a valid form of identification for background check and hiring requirements (e.g., drivers license, passport, birth certificate).
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Must pass a thorough background check.
  • Must be free of any diversions for or convictions of felonies or their equivalent and free of any diversions for or convictions of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence or their equivalent.
  • Become NCIC certified prior to the end of the initial six-month probationary period.
  • Must be able to work assigned 10-hour shifts with rotating days off.
  • Hearing correctable to a range that will allow normal radio and telephone conversation with field units with or without accommodation. Must submit to a hearing examination.
  • Vision correctable to a range that will allow reading of computer display terminals, maps, and printouts quickly and accurately.
  • Ability to perform all essential job functions and not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of self or others.
  • On occasion, be available to be called in to work or held past the normal shift schedule with little or no advance notice.

    • *Employees will receive a 1% increase after successfully completing the University required probationary period.


    Required Qualifications

  • High school diploma or completion of a G.E.D. equivalency.
  • No previous experience required; however, a new employee receives a minimum of 12 weeks in-house training and is not released independently until competence is proven.

    • Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in an emergency/non-emergency communications network operation.
  • Experience in using multiple phone system.

    • Contact Information to Applicants

    Sandy Patchen, [email protected] , 785-864-5901


    Additional Candidate Instruction

    Review Date: Application review will begin November 14, 2021 and will continue as needed until a pool of qualified applicants is collected.

    Please submit a resume and a cover letter with the online application.  You will be asked to upload these documents on the first page of the online application.  The resume can be uploaded at the top of the first page, and the cover letter on the bottom of the first page.  Applications will not be considered complete without these two documents attached.


    Advertised Salary Range

    $16.34 - $17.14 per hour


    Application Review Begins

    14-Nov-2021


    Anticipated Start Date

    06-Dec-2021


    Primary Campus

    University of Kansas Lawrence Campus


    Employee Class

    U-Unclassified Professional Staff


    Work Schedule

    Assigned 10 hour shifts with rotating days off.


    Shift Differential

    30 cents


    Job Family

    Public Safety-KUL


    Work Location Assignment

    On-Site


    Disclaimer

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and are the Title IX coordinators for their respective campuses: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, [email protected], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY 9 for the Lawrence, Edwards, Parsons, Yoder, and Topeka campuses); Director, Equal Opportunity Office, Mail Stop 7004, 4330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS 66205, 913-588-8011, 711 TTY (for the Wichita, Salina, and Kansas City, Kansas medical center campuses).


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