Communications Officer

George Mason University; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University is seeking a Communications Officer to provide first responder services and support public safety operations. The role involves 24/7 dispatch, operating CAD/RMS systems, and coordinating with fire, medical, and law enforcement teams to protect life and property.

The position is essential/designated, with on-site work in Fairfax, VA, requiring a valid driver’s license and the ability to pass multiple background checks.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in emergency communication and public safety.
• Knowledge of emergency communication concepts and fundamentals.
• Ability to pass background checks and obtain certifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide first responder care and coordinate emergency communications.
• Operate and monitor radio and telephone systems.
• Dispatch response personnel per SOPs and incident protocols.
• Maintain logs in CAD/RMS and ensure confidentiality of records.
• Support public safety operations during emergencies, including crises and disasters.

Skills

Public safety comms

Emergency dispatch

Communication skills

Stress management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s degree

Tools

NCIC/VCIN

RMS/CAD

Job description

Department: Executive Administration

Classification: Emergency Coordinator 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 03

Salary: $51,500 - $56,700, commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

Important Eligibility Requirement

Employees in this position are required to operate university vehicles in accordance with George Mason University Vehicle Use Policy 1411. Applicants must possess and maintain an active, valid driver’s license that satisfies university requirements. Final candidates are subject to a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) review, and successful completion of the review is a condition of employment.

Minor or major driving violations may affect eligibility for employment. Applicants with prior driving infractions need to review the Eligibility & MVR Review Information ( English / Spanish ) before applying.

About the Department

The primary purpose/objective/mission of the University Police Department is to provide a safe and secure environment for all university employees, students, and guests. Embracing the principles of community policing, the department works collaboratively with academic and administrative units, individuals, and organizations in furtherance of the mission of the university. The department delivers a comprehensive program in law enforcement to provide the highest level of safety, security, and service for the students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the university, as they pursue their daily work and study activities, consistent with the laws of the commonwealth, and the policies of the university.

About the Position

The Communications Officer provides first responder services and performs a variety of communications and operational tasks in support of public safety, security and law enforcement operations, linking those in need of assistance to those who render assistance. The job is considered Essential/Designated personnel and will be required to work a variety of schedules in a 24-hour, 7 day a week configuration which includes nights, weekends, holidays, and during and following natural disasters and emergency situations.

Responsibilities

Provides first responder care to the public and other first responders

• Through call taking and radio dispatching, provides protection and preservation of life, property, evidence, and the environment. Tries phone calls, teletypes, and other messages from the public and public safety departments for emergency response; creates records in the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system and provides life-saving instructions;


• Answers radio transmissions and phone calls promptly and competently and provides law enforcement pre-arrival instructions and coordinates responses with fire, medical, or mental health crisis response services;


• Triages and prioritizes calls for service and job tasks according to Policies and Procedures;


• Maintains familiarity with street, building, and landmark geography within jurisdiction and immediately adjacent properties;


• Requests emergency phone pings from cell phone carriers when life threatening emergencies exist;


• Demonstrates advanced situational assessment skills and sound judgment, strong public and internal relations, teamwork and advanced multitasking skills;


• Performs specialized tactical-communication dispatch, monitoring and response to situations requiring it; and


• Communicates effectively and decisively with people in great distress, harm, fear, or injury, while employing experience and training to obtain and disseminate critical information efficiently.

Monitors and operates emergency communication equipment

• Receive and transmit radio messages using codes and signals as required by the FCC regulations;


• Operates MCC-7500E radio console on regional radio network, in compliance with GMU and Fairfax County policies, assigning use of encrypted and non-encrypted channels when necessary;


• Monitors and/or controls all GMU PD assigned channels, regional interoperability channels, and PMARS;


• Follows equipment outage and notification procedures, troubleshoots technical issues as an end-user;


• Speaks clearly and articulately, maintaining familiarity with incident protocols and required procedures for relaying confidential or sensitive information via radio;


• Operates multi-line phone system effectively ensuring both emergency and non-emergency calls are addressed and/or transferred when required;


• Operates Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Records Management System (RMS), and Mobile Data Terminal interface in accordance with current department, state, and federal policies and procedures;


• Obtains, organizes, and enters, and retrieves a variety of data into and from computerized data systems;


• Records and maintains detailed records in CAD/RMS system foreach call for service;


• Ensures call records document requests for anonymity in compliance with FOIA laws;


• Receives, processes, and documents Crime Solvers Tips accepted via email or phone;


• Advises patrol supervisor(s) of crime tips when received;


• Monitor panic, burglar, door, fire and BRL security alarms systems, CCTV security systems, and headquarters building access control;


• Monitors and promptly interacts with systems/applications to include, but not limited to, RAVE Guardian system, Mason Alert system, and First Due; and


• Dispatch response personnel in accordance with established procedures.

Access, operate, and monitor criminal justice and other confidential information databases

• Ensures continuous 24/7, uninterrupted operation of NCIC/VCIN terminal in compliance with Virginia State Police and FBI regulations;


• Keeps logs of NCIC/VCIN transactions, retaining records in accordance with state and federal requirements;


• Enters and maintains custody of warrant, protective order, missing person, stolen property, and other law enforcement sensitive records;


• Ensures highest level of confidentiality and standards of care are maintained in handling criminal justice records and access of secure databases;


• Maintains VCIN Full Access certification, taking required training in accordance with Virginia State Police mandates;


• Enters time sensitive records into NCIC/VCIN in compliance with state and federal laws;


• Disseminates law enforcement BOLO information received via text to patrol in a timely manner in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures. Maintains required training as a certified LInX end-user;


• Accesses, retrieves, disseminates, and documents LInX records in compliance with LInX-governed policies;


• Accesses university and student record databases with high standards of care and confidentiality;


• Shreds/destroys criminal justice information and confidential records in accordance with NCIC/VCIN and department policies; and


• Participates in university mandated training in compliance with FERPA and Title IX.

Provides public services and assistance to community members

• Provides assistance to the community by utilizing sound decision making and customer service practices;


• Ensures that the public is dealt with in a courteous and professional manner, displays no bias, and works to overcome communication barriers;


• Displays appropriate compassion and empathy, providing public safety services with a high standard of care;


• Looks beyond the initial problem and seeks opportunities to provide exceptional customer service;


• Demonstrates competency and employs proper safety procedures with handling a variety of customer service issues with tact and diplomacy in a confidential manner;


• Through problem solving methodologies, provides solutions or the resources to solve any problem confronting the public;


• Exercises sound judgement; decisions take into consideration department and university policy, law, and fact;


• Renders aid and assistance to citizens, law enforcement officers, and other public safety partners;


• Responsive to requests for mutual aid;


• Maintains a professional working relationship with the University Administration, University Life, and the University community and other public safety partners to render assistance to victims, witnesses, and persons in need of resources or services;


• Provides assistance to crime victims by rendering sensitive and caring support;


• Recognizes situations and incidents requiring crisis intervention and/or mental health resources and utilizing available resources, to include 988, when appropriate;


• Follows Marcus Alert law through triaging calls and assigning appropriate response level and coordinating response resources with 988/Crisis Center when required; and


• Dispatches law enforcement assistance to mental health crisis/behavioral health responders when required.

Practices personal accountability and follows code of conduct, laws, policies, and procedures and is in compliance with training and certification required of position

• Reviews, follows, and maintains a working knowledge of all laws, state, university, and department policies;


• Complies with FBI, VCIN, and CJIS policies safeguarding confidential/criminal justice information;


• Follows department’s professional standards and code of conduct;


• Maintains a professional appearance in compliance with grooming, hygiene, body art, and uniform standards;


• Maintains all certifications and qualifications for the position of Communications Officer;


• Complies with state, university, and department leave policies; submits written leave requests with reasonable notice, utilizing leave only as approved by supervisor/ department, and for the purpose of which it is intended;


• Demonstrates punctuality and reports on time for assigned shifts, court, training, and other duties;


• Follows assigned work schedule, requests, enrolls in, and attends training, obtains approval to work overtime from supervisor, complies with requests to work overtime, and reports to work during emergencies/call-back as an essential/designated employee;


• Promotes a positive, professional image and practices personal accountability and responsibility; demonstrating energy, enthusiasm, and commitment;


• Devotes full effort to job responsibilities during work hours performing assigned duties and responsibilities with the highest degree of public trust;


• Conduct themselves at all times in a manner that supports themission of their agency and the performance of their duties;


• Reports circumstances or concerns that may affect satisfactory work performance to management, including any inappropriate (fraudulent, illegal, unethical) activities of other employees;


• Works cooperatively to achieve work unit and agency goals and objectives;


• Demonstrates respect for the agency and toward agency coworkers, supervisors, managers, subordinates, residential clients, students, and customers; and


• Demonstrates professional and ethical conduct, honesty, and truthfulness at all times. Meet or exceed established job performance expectations. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent;


• Experience in the operation of computers to include Windows and varied software applications;


• Experience working with the public;


• Knowledge and skills in managing and prioritizing emergency communication incidents;


• Knowledge of basic public safety communications concepts and fundamentals;


• Possess good working knowledge of all available resource information located in the Communications Center or at the university.


• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills;


• Excellent interpersonal, problem solving, and verbal/written communication skills;


• Excellent public relations/customer service skills;


• Ability to pass rigid background check;


• Ability to pass a psychological examination;


• Ability to perform well under stress in a calm, efficient manner;


• Ability to successfully complete dispatcher’s certification course at an accredited academy;


• Ability to analyze all emergency situations to determine course of action and solve problems;


• Ability to communicate verbally with adequate radio voice with no speech limitations;


• Ability to provide professional/caring community-oriented service;


• Ability to communicate respectfully to internal and external customers, appreciate diversity and respects differences, maintain confidentiality;


• Ability to work with teams or independently with minimal supervision at times;


• Ability to be compliant with Virginia State Police/FBI/Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) policies;


• Possess dependable work ethic, have a high level of integrity, honesty, and accountability;


• Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review;


• Must be able to obtain/maintain NCIC/VCIN Full Access certification within 30 days of hire;


• Required to obtain and maintain NCIC/VCIN operator certification in compliance with Virginia State Police and FBI regulations; and


• Required to maintain dispatcher certification regulated by Virginia DCJS.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in related field;


• Previous experience working in a public safety field, emergency management, or emergency communications center is preferred;


• Knowledge of law enforcement/public safety emergency communications;


• Strong public speaking skills and abilities; and


• Strong abilities working with varied computer software applications.

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 research university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level, along with certificates and credentials.

George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for students, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. We believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/