Communications Manager, VUPD

Vanderbilt University; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University Public Safety seeks a Communications Supervisor to lead the Communications Unit, supervise communications specialists, and ensure quality control and training. The role manages CAD/NCIC/TIES operations, enforces policies, and coordinates coverage with records and administration.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in public safety, including at least one year in management, CAD/NCIC/TIES training, and a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent dispatch experience).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred (degree may be substituted for 1:1 progressive dispatch experience).
• Possession of CAD, NCIC, TIES, and Enhanced 911 training and certification is required.
• 8 years of related experience in a public safety agency, including at least one year of management.
• Knowledge of federal, state, local, and other regulatory requirements governing radio and electronic transmission.
• Thorough knowledge of operation and maintenance requirements of radio, computer, alarm, and other systems used in communications.
• Excellent management and team‑building skills.
• Ability to remain calm and objective in stressful situations.
• Ability to manage, coordinate, and direct activities of administrative and support personnel.
• Current knowledge of industry best practices and ability to develop innovative improvements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Communications Unit and supervise communications specialists.
• Ensure policies, procedures, and performance evaluations are followed.
• Schedule time off and monitor attendance.
• Investigate employee misconduct and recommend disciplinary action.
• Conduct QA audits of radio, CAD entries, and data entry; issue corrective memoranda.
• Represent the department in state systems (TIES) and provide training as needed.
• Develop policies and procedures for the Communications Unit.
• Maintain knowledge and provide backup for Records Unit.
• Manage maintenance of communications equipment, consoles, and related supplies.
• Train communications specialists and other officers in dispatch, NCIC/TCIC/TIES, and 911 procedures.
• Assist community relations and public safety initiatives as needed.

Skills

Management experience

Team leadership

Calm under pressure

Regulatory knowledge

Coordination skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CAD certification

NCIC certification

TIES certification

E911 training

Job description

About the Work Unit

Vanderbilt University Public Safety falls under the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor / Chief of Police for the Division of Administration. The department has over 200 staff and is organized into three divisions: Administration, Operations, and Auxiliary Services. It employs commissioned officers, non‑academy‑trained security officers, and administrative personnel.

Key Functions and Expected Performance

Administrative Services

• Manages the Communications Unit and directly supervises communications specialists, ensuring satisfaction, retention, and quality control.
• Ensures policies and procedures are followed and completes performance evaluations for communications specialists.
• Schedules holiday, vacation, and personal time and monitors attendance standards.
• Investigates complaints of employee misconduct, documents findings, and makes recommendations for disciplinary action.
• Conducts periodic quality assurance audits of radio and phone traffic, CAD entries, and data entry; issues memoranda to correct errors.
• Represents VPD as the Terminal Agency Coordinator for the Tennessee Information Enforcement System (TIES) and provides required training to department personnel.
• Develops policies and procedures for the Communications Unit.
• Maintains knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide backup for the Manager, Records Unit, coordinating coverage during extended absences.

Support Services

• Manages maintenance and upkeep of communications equipment, consoles, and related supplies.

Training

• Ensures training of communications specialists and other police officers used as relief on key functions such as Computer Aided Dispatch, NCIC/TCIC/TIES, Severe Weather Alert System; trains and certifies personnel as public safety dispatchers and NCIC Query operators.

Community Services

• Serves the community through proactive and self‑initiated activities related to the position.
• Assists community members as necessary.

Supervisory Relationships

This position has supervisory responsibility over the Communications Department and reports to the Chief of Staff.

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution preferred (degree may be substituted for 1:1 progressive dispatch experience).
• Possession of Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Tennessee Information Enforcement System (TIES), and Enhanced 911 training and certification is required.

Experience and Skills

• 8 years of related experience in a public safety agency, including at least one year of management experience.
• Knowledge of federal, state, local, and other regulatory requirements governing radio and electronic transmission.
• Thorough knowledge of operation and maintenance requirements of radio, computer, alarm, and other systems commonly found in communications.
• Excellent management and team‑building skills.
• Ability to remain calm and objective in stressful situations.
• Ability to manage, coordinate, and direct activities of administrative and support personnel.
• Current knowledge of industry best practices and ability to develop innovative improvements.