Communications Specialist

University of Kansas Medical Center; United States; On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Retirement plan

Job summary

University of Kansas Medical Center seeks a Communications Specialist for its Public Safety Communications Division. The role supports emergency and non-emergency calls, monitors CCTV and alarm systems, and dispatches police and security resources.

You will interact with university staff, partner agencies, and the public in a fast-paced, 24/7 environment. The ideal candidate has strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED.
• Candidate must pass online-based testing (reading comprehension, listening, map reading, typing).
• Typing speed 30 WPM with 90% accuracy.
• Extensive background check and drug screen.
• Availability to work all days and all shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays.

Responsibilities

• Receives, processes, and transmits information for emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Monitors CCTV, alarm, door access, and panic alarm systems.
• Dispatches appropriate resources to calls for service.
• Maintains detailed records and logs of activities and reports.
• Provides external communications to campus personnel and the public.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Attention to detail

Independent worker

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Department: Public Safety - Police Operations ----- Police Dispatch Supervisors Position Title: Communications Specialist Job Family Group: Professional Staff Job Description Summary: The Communications Specialist works as part of the Public Safety Communications Division’s day-to-day operations for emergency and nonemergency police, security, and alarm system monitoring services. This role ensures effective communication between Specialists, field officers, partner agencies outside the University and Health System, and general public. This is a demanding, fast-paced position in a 24/7/365 public safety communications center. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal communication skills, an attention to detail and accuracy, an ability to work independently and cooperatively while utilizing resources to ensure continuity of daily operations, and a high regard for the safety and well-being of responders and the campus community.

Job Duties

Receives, processes, and transmits information related to emergency and non-emergency calls for service for University Police and University Health System Security officers utilizing telephones and two-way, multi-channel radio systems in a professional, courteous, and efficient manner. Monitors closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera systems, alarm monitoring systems, door access systems, and panic alarm panels for activities or situations that require police or security response. Operates a public safety radio console in accordance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Criminal History Record Information (CHRI), and Kansas City Metropolitan Area Regional Radio System (MARRS) guidelines and procedures. Dispatches appropriate law enforcement and security resources to calls for service within the proper jurisdiction, utilizing a two-way, multi-channel radio system. Operates multiple computer workstations for the purpose of documenting calls for service, sending and receiving inter- and intra-state information related to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, and stolen vehicles, and accessing data related to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), National Law Enforcement Traffic System (NLETS), Kansas Criminal Justice Information System (KCJIS), and other law enforcement computer programs, for official purposes only while following agency, state, and federal policy. Maintains a detailed record and log of law enforcement and security activities and required reports, in accordance with agency, local, state, and federal policy. Provides external communications to University and Health System personnel, internal and external stakeholders, and the campus community and public at large related to significant campus events, including natural disasters or hostile event situations. Participates in internal or external training and learning opportunities to establish new concepts, reinforce best practices, or improve performance. Maintains all appropriate certifications related to the position. Maintains all department-issued equipment related to job duties or daily operations, and makes prompt, appropriate notification of equipment issue or failure. Drives a state-owned vehicle to transport oneself to required off-site training and other work-related locations. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Qualifications

Education: High School Diploma or GED. Candidate must be free of any felony or violent misdemeanor convictions. Hearing must be correctable to a range that allows normal radio and telephone conversations with field units. Vision must be correctable to a range that will allow reading and/or viewing of computer display terminals, maps, printouts, and CCTV monitoring positions. Candidate will be required to take and successfully pass an online-based testing battery as part of the candidate screening process, with topics including reading comprehension, listening, map reading, and typing skills. Candidate must have a corrected typing speed of at least 30 words per minute (WPM) with 90% accuracy. Candidate will be subject to an extensive background check, psychological examination, and drug screen. Candidate must have availability to work all days and all shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, based on staffing needs. Within 90 days of appointment, the candidate will be required to complete the Association of Public Safety Communications Officers (APCO) Public Safety Telecommunicator course. Recertification must be maintained every two (2) years. Within 180 days of appointment, the candidate will be required to complete the NCIC certification. Recertification must be maintained every two (2) years.

Work Experience

One (1) year of experience in one of the following areas: A call center environment, such as an emergency communications center, alarm monitoring center, hospital switchboard, or as a telephone customer service representative. A law enforcement adjacent field. A profession that interacts heavily with the public as a daily job requirement. Candidate must possess a valid Kansas or Missouri Driver's License. If candidate has a valid Driver's License from another state, candidate must obtain a Kansas or Missouri Driver's License within sixty (60) days of hire.

Preferred Qualifications Certifications/Licenses

APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator I certification. NCIC and Regional Justice Information System (REJIS) certification. APCO Communications Training Officer certification.

Required Documents

Resume/CV Cover Letter

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment. A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available. https://www.kumc.edu/human-resources/benefits.html

Employee Type

Regular Time Type: Full time Rate Type: Hourly

Compensation Statement

The pay range listed for this position is determined by our compensation program using market data and salary benchmarking. A combination of factors is considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, education, experience and training, qualifications relative to the requirements of the position, and funding. At the University of Kansas Medical Center, a reasonable estimate for the starting pay range will be the minimum to midpoint of the posted range, taking into account the combination of factors listed above. Pay Range: $22.88 - $33.17 Minimum $22.88 Midpoint $28.03 Maximum $33.17

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Kansas Medical Center is to improve lives and communities in Kansas and beyond through innovation in education, research, and health care.

Equal Opportunity

The University of Kansas Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, age, protected veteran or disability status, marital status, parental status, or genetic information. http://policy.ku.edu/IOA/nondiscrimination https://kumc-publicpoliciesandprocedures.policystat.com/policy/8446235/latest/ Under Kansas state law, certain KUMC positions are subject to disability preference. For positions subject to this requirement, KUMC will offer an interview to a person who has applied for an open position who is qualified, with or without reasonable accommodation, to meet the performance standards of the position and who has presented acceptable proof of disability. If the position you apply for is subject to the disability preference requirement, you will be asked to provide information in support of your request for disability preference when you complete the application for employment. https://civilrights.ku.edu/annual-security-and-fire-safety-report https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf https://www.laborposters.org/federal/1606-federal-pay-transparency-poster.htm