Communications Officer

DC101 Dickinson College; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical insurance

Life insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Generous time off

Parental leave

Homebuyer assistance

Tuition benefits for eligible dependár

8% retirement contribution with 0.5% 2

Job summary

Dickinson College is seeking a Communications Center dispatcher to support campus law enforcement and public safety functions. You will process service requests, answer inquiries, and coordinate with officers in a CAD-based environment.

Responsibilities include handling calls, monitoring radio and CCTV, and maintaining logs while upholding confidentiality and timely information sharing with campus staff and guests.

Qualifications

• Handles emergency and non-emergency calls and prioritizes information.
• Monitors and operates radio, alarm, and CCTV systems.
• Maintains logs and documents officer status and activity.
• Maintains confidentiality and directs inquiries appropriately.
• Familiar with Pennsylvania criminal and civil law as it pertains to police communications.

Responsibilities

• Answer emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch officers.
• Monitor police radio, alarm systems, and CCTV.
• Maintain CAD logs and records.
• Provide information and assistance to the public.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

Skills

Communication

Discretion

Public safety communications

Records management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CAD system

Police radio systems

CCTV / security cameras

Printers

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.

Benefits

• comprehensive medical insurance plan
• life insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• generous time off
• parental leave
• homebuyer assistance
• 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.

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 of equipment such as setting and resetting computer system, video display terminals, and printers.
• Assists with College fleet reservations and issues keys for reserved fleet vehicles.

Requirements

• 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. Dickinson welcomes those who are seeking to be part of an intellectual and social community that values justice, free inquiry, diversity, and equal opportunity. It is a fundamental policy of the college to respect pluralism, civility and mutual understanding within its community. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or any other protected class. We encourage applications from all qualified persons.

Accommodation Statement

Individuals with disabilities who require an accommodation to complete the employment process should contact Human Resource Services at [phone], [e-mail] or by visiting our offices Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (ET).

Background Check & Documentation

Employment with Dickinson College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dickinson College to ensure a safe learning and work environment for our students, staff, and faculty. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law. Federal legislation requires institutions of higher education to inform prospective members of our community about its most recent crime/incident statistics, crime prevention and security programs and activities, policies concerning the reporting of crime, and related information in accordance with the Campus Security Act, commonly referred to as the Clery Act. You can obtain this information by contacting the Department of Public Safety, Dickinson College, 400 W. North St - Rear, Carlisle, PA 17013 or call (717)-245-1349.