Communications Specialist

South Dakota State University; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental benefits

Paid holidays

Tuition benefits

Job summary

South Dakota State University is seeking a Communications Specialist for the University Police Department in Brookings. The role handles multi-line communications, dispatches emergency services, and monitors security systems to protect campus operations.

Ideal candidates will manage calls calmly, interpret data from various databases, and provide customer service while adhering to policy and regulatory standards. This full-time position offers benefits and opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• Experience with communications systems and dispatch procedures.
• Knowledge of basic law enforcement and emergency response procedures.
• Ability to prioritize calls and maintain composure during emergencies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate a multi-line communications system and dispatch personnel.
• Monitor security and building systems; relay information to field units.
• Provide customer service to the public and research information from databases.
• Maintain logs and records in accordance with policies and FCC regulations.

Skills

Communications systems

Dispatch procedures

Emergency response procedures

Stress management

Computer applications

Campus geography

Multitasking

Record keeping

Communication clarity

Independence

Job description

Salary Range: $19.27 – $21.67/hr., depending upon qualifications, plus benefits.

Do you have a passion for helping others? Are you interested in being part of a team where you get to play a role in serving and protecting the campus community? SDSU’s University Police Department is offering a rewarding career opportunity as a Communications Specialist. We are looking to fill two Communication Specialist positions.

SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities. The University Police Department (UPD) provides year round 24/7 law enforcement service for South Dakota State University. Police officers are state trained and certified with full law enforcement authority. The department is responsible for protecting the campus community, ensuring a safe environment for continued education and research, providing enhanced security for the campus infrastructure and large scale public events, investigating crimes, providing uniformed patrol, deterring and detecting criminal activity and other policing services as needed.

This position is located in Brookings.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Job Responsibilities

Operate a multi-talk group communications system; field calls and dispatch law enforcement and emergency personnel; monitor patrolling activity and request additional support when needed; monitor computerized systems for buildings and facility alarms; monitor multiple video and security systems; provide customer service to the public; research, interpret, compile, and disseminate information from various law enforcement databases to provide data to personnel in the field.

Benefits

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Communications systems.
• Dispatch operating procedures.
• Basic law enforcement and emergency response procedures.
• Stress and conflict management techniques.
• Computer applications and systems.
• Geography, buildings, roadways on campus, and in the city and county of Brookings.

Skill & Ability to:

• Prioritize radio and telephone calls while remaining calm during emergencies.
• Respond appropriately concerning the urgency of the situation.
• Operate a communications system, multi-line telephone system and computer terminal simultaneously.
• Read maps, multiple computer terminal and printouts quickly and accurately.
• Accurately record both alpha and alpha-numeric figures; locate and use reference sources.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Speak using good clarity, tone, volume, syntax, grammar and inflections/modulations.
• Organize, condense and transmit large amounts of information into brief, concise summaries.
• Maintain logs, manuals and reference materials in accordance with agency or institution policy and within Federal Communications Commission regulations.
• Listen to and exercise patience with callers.
• Manage calls regarding threats of emergencies (i.e., suicide) effectively.
• Remain calm in tense or emergency situation.
• Deal tactfully with and work effectively with law enforcement officers, emergency response personnel, field units, agency personnel and the public.
• Work independently.

Required License

• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Obtain NCIC Certification within 3 months of hire, SD 911 Telecommunications certification, and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification within one year of hire are required.
• Must successfully complete Dispatch Communications Training program.

Comments

Per SDCL 02:05:01:01 applicants must be a US citizen and be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment. Travel is required to complete required training, job duties and court appearances. Must be able to work rotating shifts including weekends and holidays. Employment is contingent upon a successful background check, psychological evaluation and polygraph test, and medical examination (includes drug and alcohol testing).

For additional information regarding this position or questions about the online application process, please contact Human Resources at 605-688-4128.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits discrimination on, the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identification, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status that may become protected under law against discrimination in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [e-mail]. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007, 605-688-4128.