Communications Officer

Dickinson College; Carlisle (Cumberland County); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Life insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Generous time off

Parental leave

Tuition benefits for dependents

Job summary

Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA is seeking a Public Safety Dispatcher to support campus law enforcement and emergency communications. You will handle emergency and routine calls, monitor radio and alarms, and coordinate with officers for rapid response to incidents.

The role requires careful documentation, knowledge of police terminology, and maintaining confidentiality. Duties include assisting with vehicle registrations and fleet coordination as needed.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Strong communication and confidentiality are essential.
• Experience or familiarity with CAD and police communications is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Handle emergency and non-emergency calls, prioritizing information for officers and supervisors.
• Monitor radio, alarm, and security systems and dispatch officers as needed.
• Document officer status and activities accurately in CAD and logs.

Skills

Communication skills

Discretion & confidentiality

Multitasking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

CAD system

Job description

Posting Details

Dickinson College is a premier four-year residential liberal arts institution chartered in 1783 and widely recognized as a leader in global and sustainability education. Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, named a “most livable city” by Forbes and is minutes from the state capital of Harrisburg. The campus is connected to a vibrant downtown that offers eclectic dining, shopping and entertainment options. Within a two-hour drive are Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.; New York City is three hours away.

Dickinson College offers full-time employees a broad range of benefits, including a comprehensive medical insurance plan, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, generous time off, parental leave, homebuyer assistance, and tuition benefits for eligible employees and dependent children under the age of 24. Upon eligibility, the College contributes 8% of an employee’s base salary to a retirement account with an additional .5% matching contribution; all money paid by the college into the employee’s retirement plan is immediately and fully vested in the employee.

Below you will find the details for the position, including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Position Department

Public Safety

Job Summary/Basic Function

To support campus law enforcement and other public safety functions by performing activities related to processing service requests and questions; which include communications and dispatch, status monitoring, information development and communication, and records and file maintenance in a computer-aided environment. The Communications Center serves as the primary link between the public and DPS Police Officers in the field. The Communications Center is the central coordinating agency for emergency telephone calls and requests for assistance. After hours the Communications Center serves as the main information, responsible for aiding the college community and its guests with requests for service and general inquiries.

Essential Functions

• Handles emergency and non-emergency telephone calls, prioritizes calls, and channels pertinent information to officer and supervisory personnel. Makes necessary emergency notifications.
• Monitors and operates police and other radio systems, fire and intrusion alarm systems, and security camera systems, and dispatches officers and other emergency personnel as needed. Monitors computer terminals for messages directed to the Department, information related to local criminal activity, and officer safety messages. Confirms warrants with responsible agencies.
• Provides the public with assistance on complaints and informational services, lost and found property, bicycle registration, directions, and other services. Uses tact and discretion. Observes strict confidentiality rules. Directs persons to proper supervisory level as necessary.
• Accurately documents officer status, location and activity. Preserves accurate logs of incoming service requests and action taken and enters, updates, and recovers information from a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Preserves and updates various logs and records of activities, such as radio transmissions, telephone calls, tow requests, and equipment failure logs.
• Demonstrates knowledge of police terminology and procedures, Pennsylvania criminal and civil law as it pertains to police communications, campus geography, police services, and College policies and procedures pertaining to police communications.
• Provides assistance and information to persons registering vehicles at Public Safety and issues parking decals.
• Performs various tasks to ensure proper operation ofequipment such as setting and resetting computer system, video display terminals, and printers.
• Assists with College fleet reservations and issues keys for reserved fleet vehicles.

Required

High School Diploma or GED

EEO/Diversity Statement:

The College is committed to building a representative and diverse faculty, staff, and student body. We encourage applications from all qualified persons.