Communications Officer/Dispatcher

Loyola Marymount University; Westchester (IL); On-site; USD 32,387 - 40,473; Full time

Job summary

Loyola Marymount University is hiring a Communications Officer (Dispatcher) to ensure effective communication between campus safety and external agencies. This role involves monitoring emergency response and routine dispatch operations.

The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma and two years of experience in security or law enforcement, with excellent communication and organizational skills. The hourly pay ranges from $23.51 to $29.38, based on education and experience.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in a higher-education security or law enforcement environment.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements related to data gathering and disclosure.
• Ability to maintain control in emergencies using good judgment.

Responsibilities

• Handle radio and phone communications within the Public Safety Communications Center.
• Dispatch Public Safety Officers to emergency and routine calls.
• Monitor departmental and university radio communication systems.

Skills

Communication skills

Law enforcement knowledge

Emergency response

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma

College coursework in police science or criminology

Tools

Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System

Public-safety radio communication systems

Job description

Position Summary

The Communications Officer (Dispatcher) is responsible for maintaining effective and efficient communications between the Department of Public Safety, the University, and outside law and other government agencies, ensuring timely and accurate information about campus safety incidents. The role supports a safe environment for the entire LMU community by coordinating emergency response and routine dispatch operations.

Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of specialized support duties within the Public Safety Communications Center.
• Handle radio and phone communications, counter duties, field dispatching, scribing, monitoring Department and University Fire and Life Safety Notifications, Campus Emergency phone line, access control, alert notifications and other telecommunications systems to dispatch appropriate resources.
• Monitor departmental and university radio communication systems and process campus routine and emergency incidents.
• Answer and process emergency and routine incidents, collecting critical information to ensure officer safety and timely response.
• Dispatch Public Safety Officers to emergency and routine calls for service.
• Provide accurate information and initiate appropriate actions in response to requests.
• Process inquiries, requests for assistance, and complaints in a courteous and efficient manner.
• Assist in input, retrieval, management, and reporting on data and resources in a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System.
• Interpret and apply various laws, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to public safety.
• Research, purge, and update records as needed or when directed.
• Be prepared to report for work or extend scheduled shifts, work overtime on short or no notice, work all shifts, rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, closures, special events, and designated day/peak periods.
• Perform related duties as required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; college coursework in police science, criminology, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum two years of experience in a higher‑education security, public safety agency, or law enforcement environment.
• Experience using public‑safety radio communication systems.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements under state and federal regulations related to data gathering and disclosure.
• Ability to maintain control in emergencies, using good judgment, initiative, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a background in preparing reports and executive summaries.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills that model professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct.
• Initiate ideas, develop concepts, and review process effectiveness to ensure professional standards and high quality.
• Work effectively and independently with internal and external constituencies.
• Force skill relationship management and consensus‑building required to deliver successful outcomes.
• Position is deemed a Campus Security Authority (CSA) under the Jeanne Clery Act.
• Position is a Mandatory Reporter under university policy.
• Must wear an approved duty uniform and utility belt, and abide by uniform and grooming standards policy.

Physical Demands

Constantly required to sit, feel, use finger movement, speak clearly, hear conversation, see near and far; frequently required to stand and walk; occasionally required to lift, carry and push up to 25 lbs., stoop, kneel, reach high and low, use depth perception.

Hiring Salary

Hourly pay of $23.51 (non‑exempt). Salary range $23.51–$29.38, commensurate with education and experience.

EEO Statement

Loyola Marymount University is an equal employment opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, national origin (including language and language use restrictions), ancestry, disability (mental and physical) including HIV and AIDS, legally protected medical condition (cancer‑related or genetic characteristics), denial of Family and Medical Care Leave, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical condition), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age 40 or over, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other bases protected by federal (including but not limited to Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990), state or local law. The University does not discriminate on these bases, or any other basis protected by law, in the administration of any of its education or admissions policies, scholarship or loan programs, athletics, and other school‑administered policies and programs, or in its employment policies and practices.