Communications Dispatcher

Harvard University; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University is seeking a Dispatcher for the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) to manage communications and support public safety operations on-site in Cambridge/Boston. The role involves handling routine and emergency information, coordinating with police units, and using CAD, Motorola radios, and alarm systems.

You'll work in a 24/7 Communications Center with extensive training; overtime may apply, and the position requires in-person availability for shifts.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of three (3) years full-time, or equivalent part-time, paid experience in a customer service position.
• Experience with Microsoft Windows is required.

Responsibilities

• Receiving, transmitting, and disseminating information, both routine and emergency in nature, received from calls for service.
• Work alongside the police units in the field, utilizing various telecommunications equipment, including CAD, Motorola Radio system, and alarm monitoring systems.
• Receive and respond to requests from police units for information needed to perform their duties.
• Querying various law enforcement databases and related duties.
• Monitor emails from the community to the department and disseminate that information immediately to the appropriate personnel.
• Attend Roll Call (zoom or in person) while on duty when applicable.

Skills

Communication skills

Typing 40 WPM

Bilingual (plus)

Calm under pressure

Multitasking

Education

High School Diploma

APCO certified

Tools

Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD)

Motorola Radio system

Alarm monitoring systems

Microsoft Windows

Job 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. Joining HUPD means contributing to a mission-driven department that honors free expression, diversity, and individual rights while working collaboratively to protect life, safeguard property, and reduce fear of crime within the Harvard community.

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Please note: Shift hours are primarily 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM and serving a floater (filling in on the 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM or 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM shifts) four days on, two days off rotation.

Job Responsibilities

Under general supervision, the Dispatcher will be assigned to the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD). The HUPD is responsible for maintaining a public safety environment that supports the mission of Harvard University. 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.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Receiving, transmitting, and disseminating information, both routine and emergency in nature, received from calls for service.
• Work alongside the police units in the field, utilizing various telecommunications equipment, including, but not limited to, Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), a Motorola Radio system, and various alarm monitoring systems.
• Receive and respond to requests from police units for information needed to perform their duties.
• Querying various law enforcement databases (e.g., vehicle registrations, Board of Probation records, and warrants) and other related duties.
• Monitor emails from the community to the department and disseminate 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.
• Attend 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 you to triage calls, manage frequent interruptions, maintain periods of intense concentration, and perform well under stress and pressure.
• You must be available to work holidays, weekends, all shifts, overtime (including mandatory overtime), in inclement weather, and during declared emergencies. Remote work is not available.

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. (Primary responsibility is triaging incoming calls and recording information for reporting purposes.)
• Experience with Microsoft Windows is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) certified

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.
• Ability to type 40 words per minute
• Apply police protocol, which includes, but is not limited to, utilizing sound judgment skills, maintaining a calm demeanor under duress, being able to multitask, and sitting for extended periods.
• Knowledge of the Cities of Cambridge and Boston’s main streets and intersections.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on the details required of the job.
• Bilingual is a plus.
• As an essential personnel member, must have the ability 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.

Other 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

Other Considerations

A criminal record check and fingerprinting will be conducted on all applicants. Harvard University cannot provide visa sponsorship for this position.

If you believe you need reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job or to submit an application, please contact us at 617-495-2772. This is a dedicated line to assist job seekers with a disability requiring assistance in applying online.

Salary and Benefits

This position is salary grade level 053. Please review Harvards Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support a healthy work-life balance and wellbeing. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

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

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment

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. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.