Communications Officer

University of Oregon; Eugene (OR); On-site; USD 37,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

The University of Oregon seeks a Communications Officer to support UOPD and related units by evaluating calls and routing them to the appropriate agency 24/7. This role provides essential information to the public about safety, security, and facilities programs.

Responsibilities include operating alarms, emergency notification apps, surveillance devices, and two-way radios within the IOC, coordinating with responders, and maintaining professional composure in stressful situations; weekend and

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• One year of experience working with the public.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate incoming calls and route them to the appropriate agency 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
• Provide general information to the public regarding university safety, security, and facilities programs and services.
• Operate alarms, confidential databases, emergency notification applications, surveillance devices, and two-way communications systems.
• Coordinate with Police Officers, campus partners, and external responders as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Multitasking

Stress management

Attention to detail

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

LEDS

Emergency notification systems

Two-way radio

Job description

Communications Officer

Department: University of Oregon PoliceDepartment

Classification: Campus Dispatcher

Appointment Type and Duration: Regular,Ongoing

Salary: $27.21 - $37.25 per hour

FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

October 12, 2026; Open until filled

Department Summary

Safety and Risk Services (SRS) is a unit within the Finance andAdministration portfolio. Finance and Administration is a vibrantand varied portfolio serving all aspects of campus life. Ouremployees perform a wide range of functions including offeringessential financial tools and support to the university's manydepartments, providing key resources to employees, and keepingcampus safe, clean, accessible and beautiful.

SRS's mission is to collaborate with all campus constituents(students, staff, faculty, and visitors) and the surroundingcommunity, to safeguard life and health and mitigate threats to theUniversity's core mission of academic excellence, research, andpublic service. Safety and Risk Services comprises EmergencyManagement and Continuity, Enterprise Risk Management,Environmental Health and Safety, Location Innovation Lab - CampusMapping, Risk Management and Insurance, and the University ofOregon Police Department. SRS fulfills its mission by providing avariety of professional services, technical assistance, training,and regulatory oversight.

The University of Oregon Police Department (UOPD) is a communityoriented and trust based policing agency within the University ofOregon. UOPD plays an integral role in the university community byproviding a safe, secure, and welcoming environment. The mission isto foster a climate that encourages a free, open, and civilexchange of ideas in support of the educational, research, andpublic service goals of the university. The UOPD recognizes andpromotes the value of multiculturalism and inclusiveness consistentwith a spirit of responsible citizenship within an internationalcommunity. The University of Oregon is a diverse and ever changingcommunity. Constant efforts by the UOPD are necessary to partnerwith and educate the community to deter, reduce, and solve crimesas well as to resolve issues through modern policing.

Position Summary

The Communications Officer provides direct operational support tothe University's Police, Environmental Health & Safety, FireMarshal, Emergency Management units and off-hours support forCampus Planning and Facilities Management and Dean of Studentresponse staff in their mission to protect the campus community.They provide an essential communication link by evaluating incomingcalls and routing them to the appropriate agency 24 hours per day,7 days a week. This role is vital in the success of ensuringemergency staff on the UO campus are apprised of and able torespond to emergencies in real time. Communications Officers alsoprovide general information to the public via phone regardinguniversity safety, security, and facilities programs andservices.

UOPD Communications Officers routinely operate and monitor variousalarms, confidential law enforcement databases, emergencynotification applications, surveillance devices, and two-waycommunications systems within the UO Integrated Operations Center(IOC). Communications Officers frequently work with externalemergency responders through Lane Central 911 to facilitate servicerequests for critical life safety incidents and emergencies.Communication Officers will certify as a Basic Telecommunicatorthrough DPSST.

UOPD Communications Officers may be assigned to provide uniquefunctions and/or be attached to special units such as:

• Field-based/tactical communications roles to support large campusevents and/or special operations.
• Maintenance and updating of notification lists and protocols toensure call down records are accurate for all university campusesand locations.
• Testing and exercising of the emergency notification proceduresand systems to ensure they are accurate and ready.
• Records and court services to support administration of relatedfunctions.
• Community Engagement programs.

This position consistently interfaces with Police Officers,Community Service Officers, Security Officers, campus partners andexternal constituencies using multiple communication devices.

The person in this position works in a fast-paced and potentiallystressful environment. UOPD Communications Officers must be able tomaintain composure and professional presence while accuratelygathering and giving critical information to first responders,campus leaders and the public.

This position may be required to work weekends, holidays, and allshifts (Day, Swing, and Graveyard).

Special Requirements/Qualifications

Must be able to successfully pass a full background assessment toinclude a personal history, criminal history, and psychologicalevaluation and DPSST (F2a) medical examination

Meet and maintain all CJIS background requirements

Must adhere to Clery Act, FERPA, mandatory reporting and Title IXreporting responsibilities

Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality at all times, underall circumstances

Must complete a Communications Training Officer Program (CTO)within 6 months of hire. This training is provided by UOPD.

Assessment and Testing

Must complete and pass the written and/or video skills assessmentto move forward in the selection process

Minimum Requirements

• High School diploma or GED
• One year of experience working with the public (examples include,but are not limited to, customer service work, sales, informationor reception, food service, or other positions that involve directwork with the general public)

Professional Competencies

• Experience using computers for typical work tasks, such as:entering data into spreadsheets, document generation, etc.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, within three months ofappointment, Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) certification,advanced First Aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification.
• Ability to read, write, and speak clearly and concisely enough tounderstand what is being communicated and how to properly documenttheir work effectively.
• Able to follow both written and verbal directions and universityadministrative policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Able to prioritize and multi-task effectively in a fast-paced,detail-oriented environment.
• Must be able to maintain composure and work effectively instressful situations.
• Must be able to work effectively and in a professional andrespectful manner when interacting with diverse members of thepublic.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service while adhering torules, regulations, and safety guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of full-time work as a law enforcement dispatcher with alaw enforcement agency, independently performing the full range ofduties call taking, radio dispatching duties within the last 5years.
• One or more years of experience full time work for a highereducation agency, independently performing the full range of calltaking and radio dispatching duties.
• DPSST Basic Telecommunicator certification.

FLSA Exempt: No

All offers of employment are contingent upon successfulcompletion of a background check.

This position is represented by the University of Oregon Police Association.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefitspackage to eligible employees, including health insurance,retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information aboutbenefits, visit ourwebsite.

The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institutioncommitted to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americanswith Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualifiedindividuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of anyprotected status, including veteran and disability status. TheUniversity is committed to providing reasonable accommodations toapplicants and employees with disabilities. To request anaccommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or call541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion,national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genderexpression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions),age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (includingfamily medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship,service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and statelaw), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use ofleave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activitiesand employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicablelaws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy.Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity andAccess. Contact information, related policies, and complaintprocedures are listedhere.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregonprepares an annual report on campus security and fire safetyprograms and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire SafetyReport is available online.