Communications Dispatcher

Harvard Central Administration (CADM) Talent Acquisition; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Health insurance from day one

Retirement plans

Well-being resources

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Harvard University Police Department is hiring a Dispatcher for our 24/7 Communications Center in Cambridge. The role supports police units through dispatch, triage, and rapid information sharing, with extensive training and rotation across shifts.

The position requires at least 3 years of customer service experience, strong communication skills, and proficiency with Windows-based systems. On-site work and mandatory overtime are standard components of the role.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• 3+ years full-time (or equivalent) experience in a customer service role with triage of calls.
• Experience with Microsoft Windows is required.

Responsibilities

• Receive, transmit, and disseminate information for routine and emergency calls.
• Work with police units using CAD, Motorola radio, and alarm systems.
• Receive and respond to information requests to assist officers.
• Query law-enforcement databases (vehicle registrations, probation records, warrants).
• Monitor community emails and relay to the appropriate personnel.
• Monitor and respond to emails from supervisors and department staff.
• Stay informed on local, national, and international news to serve the community.
• Attend Roll Call (Zoom or in person) while on duty.

Skills

Communication skills

Typing 40 wpm

Microsoft Windows

Bilingual

Public-safety dispatch experience

Calm under pressure

APCO certification

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Company Description

The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) is a full‑service police agency dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment that supports Harvard’s mission of teaching, research, and learning. Serving a diverse community of more than 22,000 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and over 700 buildings across an open and accessible campus, HUPD provides professional policing grounded in partnership, respect, and constitutional values. With a Patrol Division, Detective Bureau, and Dignitary Protection Unit, HUPD delivers comprehensive law‑enforcement and public‑safety services, responding to a wide variety of incidents, conducting investigations, supporting crime‑prevention initiatives, and assisting community members with services ranging from safety escorts to wellness checks.

Job Description

Under general supervision, the Dispatcher will be assigned to the HUPD. The dispatcher will be responsible for communications between police units through various occurrences. Dispatchers will undergo extensive training on all aspects of HUPD’s Communications Center. The HUPD’s Communications Center is a 24/7 operation, and mandatory overtime may apply.

Shift hours: primarily 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM, with floater coverage on 7:00 AM–3:00 PM or 3:00 PM–11:00 PM shifts four days on, two days off rotation.

Job‑Specific Responsibilities

• Receiving, transmitting, and disseminating information, both routine and emergency in nature, received from calls for service.
• Working alongside police units in the field, utilizing telecommunications equipment such as CAD, a Motorola Radio system, and various alarm monitoring systems.
• Receiving and responding to requests from police units for information needed to perform their duties.
• Querying law‑enforcement databases (e.g., vehicle registrations, Board of Probation records, and warrants) and performing related duties.
• Monitoring emails from the community to the department and disseminating that information immediately to the appropriate personnel.
• Monitoring and responding to emails from supervisors and other department personnel.
• Keeping up to date on local, domestic, and international news to better serve the community.
• Attending Roll Call (Zoom or in person) while on duty when applicable.

Working Conditions

• Primary schedule is 11:00 PM–7:00 AM on a four‑days‑on, two‑days‑off rotation, with floating coverage on 7:00 AM–3:00 PM or 3:00 PM–11:00 PM shifts. Work is on‑site in a climate‑controlled environment, sometimes from a Mobile Command Center, and may require relocation to an alternate work location.
• The role requires the ability to sit or stand for long periods, move between workstations (including bending and stretching), and work in close proximity to others while wearing a uniform. Strong vision and hearing are needed to operate computers, phones, and radios.
• This is an essential personnel role with frequent phone interactions, requiring triage of calls, management of frequent interruptions, maintenance of intense concentration, and performance under stress and pressure.
• Availability to work holidays, weekends, all shifts, overtime (including mandatory overtime), in inclement weather, and during declared emergencies. Remote work is not available.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of three (3) years full‑time, or equivalent part‑time, paid experience in a customer service position (triage of incoming calls and recording information for reporting).
• Experience with Microsoft Windows is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• APCO certification for Public‑Safety Communications Officials.

Additional Qualifications

• Prior experience as a dispatcher for a public‑safety agency, ambulance company, taxicab service, or delivery service.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Typing speed of 40 words per minute.
• Application of police protocol, including sound judgment, calm demeanor under duress, multitasking, and extended sitting.
• Knowledge of the main streets and intersections of Cambridge and Boston.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on job details.
• Bilingual language skills are a plus.
• Must be willing to work onsite in Cambridge/Boston during scheduled shifts; remote work is not available.
• Flexibility to work overtime, special events, and emergencies on short notice.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Credit, Certification/License, Motor Vehicle Record, Drug Test, DOT Physical, CORI, Employment, Prohibited Parties.
• Criminal record check and fingerprinting will be conducted on all applicants.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Retirement plans with university contributions.
• Well‑being and mental health resources.
• Support for families and caregivers.
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks.

EEO/Non‑Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes. Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non‑discrimination policy. Harvard's non‑discrimination policy helps all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.