Campus Safety Emergency Communications Dispatcher

University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Life insurance

Retirement plans

Generous leave policies

24/7 support services

Tuition assistance

Job summary

The University of Iowa Campus Safety Emergency Communications Center seeks a Campus Safety Emergency Communications Dispatcher I to support critical communication, coordination, and emergency response for Campus Safety and UI Police Department. This on-campus role handles E911 calls, dispatch activities, and incident information flow, with training funded by the department.

Schedule includes 12-hour shifts (day or night), with rotating weeks; compensation aligns with market norms for a public

Qualifications

• Combination of clerical education or experience equivalent to two years of full-time employment.
• Ability to prioritize, coordinate, and manage multiple tasks under pressure.
• Experience with public safety dispatch protocols and strong listening/communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Receive, dispatch and document E911, emergency and routine calls using multi-line phone, radio and other systems.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, fire, medical and other responders and monitor multiple lines and alarms.
• Operate CAD, radio systems, NCIC/IOWA, and maintain compliant records.

Skills

Emergency dispatch

Public safety systems

Active listening

Communication clarity

Phone and radio traffic

Education

Two years clerical experience

Tools

CAD

NCIC/IOWA system

FCC regulations

Job description

Campus Safety Emergency Communications Dispatcher

The University of Iowa Campus Safety Emergency Communications Center is seeking a Campus Safety Emergency Communications Dispatcher I to support critical communication, coordination, and emergency response functions for Campus Safety, including the University of Iowa Police Department, and other partner agencies and university departments. The position operates essential public safety systems, manages emergency and routine calls, and ensures accurate, timely information flow with responders and the campus community. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

Duties to Include

• Receive, dispatch and document E 911, emergency, and routine calls using multi line phone, radio, and other communication systems. This may also include providing emergency medical dispatch in accordance with the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch protocols.
• Dispatch, coordinate, and maintain status for law enforcement, fire, medical, and/or other responders while also monitoring multiple emergency and routine phone lines, critical alarms, system alerts, and using cameras to help coordinate responses.
• Coordinate with local and state agencies, sharing alerts and critical updates.
• Operate CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch), radio systems, NCIC/IOWA system, and maintain records in compliance with departmental policies, FCC regulations, Criminal Justice Information Network polices, FERPA, and other applicable governing authorities.
• Activate campus emergency alerts (Hawk Alert, Outdoor Warning (siren) System, etc..) and provide incident and accident information to institutional public information services or external news agencies, when appropriate.

Department pays for all applicable training and certification costs. Employees are compensated for time attending required trainings.

Schedule: 12-hour shifts, either 6:00am to 6:00pm (Day shift), or 6:00pm to 6:00am (Night shift); rotating work weeks---Training schedule can vary and may be different than normal shift hours

Location: Campus Safety, University Capitol Centre, Iowa City, IA
Salary: $51,991.20

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

• Any combination of clerical education or experience and/or college or university level course work which is equivalent to two years of full-time employment.

Desirable Qualifications

• Ability to prioritize, organize, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously and remain composed in high-stress or fast-paced environment.
• Strong active-listening skills and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively—verbally, in writing, and with members of the public and departmental staff.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and professionally while initiating and responding to phone and radio traffic.
• Experience working directly with the public and providing customer service.
• Intermediate proficiency with computers and related software with the ability to enter and retrieve information using a computer terminal, PC, or other keyboard-based device.
• Ability to type 35-45 words per minute with a high level of accuracy while listening and interacting with callers.
• Familiarity with the geography of university campuses.
• Knowledge of FCC regulations and standard public safety dispatch procedures.
• Skill in operating equipment such as multi-frequency radios, teletype systems, telephones, and computers.

Position and Application Details

Please provide your education and work history in your application. Job openings are posted for a minimum of 10 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and must participate in, with approved results, a background investigation, including but not limited to, criminal and credit history review. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. State agency employers in Iowa are required to use E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. University of Iowa employees, including those who work remotely or out-of-state, are subject to E-Verify.

For additional questions, please contact Brooke McMurl at [e-mail] or 319-467-0719.

This position is performed fully on campus.

Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.

• Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies.
• Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists.
• Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.

Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.

Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Public Safety Dispatcher I
• Appointment Type: Merit
• Schedule: Full-time
• Work Modality Options: On Campus

Compensation

Contact Information

• Organization: Finance & Operations (General)
• Contact Name: Brooke McMurl

Equal opportunity employer

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.

Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, [phone] or [e-mail] . For jobs in UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543 .

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