Communications Supervisor

Mississippi State University; Starkville (MS); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Mississippi State University Police Department seeks a Communications Supervisor to oversee the campus communications center, supervise officers, coordinate operations, and act as field training officer. The role ensures professional handling of messages, alarms, and radio systems in a high-demand public safety environment.

Responsibilities include supervising daily operations, training staff, liaising with agencies, and coordinating incident responses with leadership.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two (2) years' experience in related field.
• Active 911 Telecommunicator/dispatch certification.
• Valid driver's license upon employment.

Responsibilities

• Supervises daily operations of the communications center.
• Trains and evaluates communications personnel.
• Liaison for internal and external agencies.
• Serves as technical assistance coordinator for the department.
• Manages two-way radios and related systems.
• Monitors alarms, cameras, and CAD/ARMS applications.
• Responds to emergencies with decisive prioritization.
• Acts as field training officer for MSU Police Dept. personnel.
• Maintains awareness of officers' status.
• Develops trainings and certifications for communications personnel.
• Coordinates responses with supervisors and lieutenant.

Skills

Supervision

Team training

Communication

Policy compliance

Emergency response

Radio operations

CAD/ARMS

NCIC access

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

CAD/ARMS

Police radios

TDD devices

Job description

Position Function:

The Communications Supervisor is responsible for the communications center at the Mississippi State University (MSU) Police Department, including coordinating operations, providing supervision and guidance to communication officers, serving as the field training officer, managing multiple transmitting and receiving devices, communicating with both internal and external sources, and assisting the Dispatchers in the direction of operational message traffic within the unit, and reports to the Support Division Lieutenant.

Salary Grade:12

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

Mississippi State University Police Department is charged with providing for the safety of all the students, faculty, staff, and guests who attend class, work, live, and visit our campus, and with the security of university buildings and property. The department provides a comprehensive array of law enforcement services through a dedicated staff of more than 35 sworn, state commissioned police officers and 16 full-time support personnel. All MSU Police Officers are certified by the Mississippi Peace Officers Minimum Standards Commission and have the same authorities and must meet the same expectations as law enforcement officers in any community. MSU Police Dept. is accredited by both CALEA and the MS Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.

Area of Specialization:

911 Telecommunications/Law Enforcement

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Supervises daily operations of the communications center for the MSU Police Department.
2. Supervises, trains, and evaluates communications personnel and ensures the department’s customer service and production expectations are achieved.
3. Liaison for internal and external agencies.
4. Serves as the technical assistance coordinator for the department.
5. Manages and utilizes two-way radios while employing police radio codes, computers, telephone system, fax machine, and Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD).
6. Monitors fire and burglar alarms, closed circuit video cameras, and interacts with a variety of systems including Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)/ARMS systems applications & products, and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
7. Responds to emergency calls, employing effective decision-making and prioritization skills.
8. Serves as the field training officer to MSU Police Dept. personnel to ensure they are effective in public safety communications and following policies and procedures.
9. Maintains awareness of officers’ status, particularly when responding to situations.
10. Understands patrol techniques, monitors situational developments, and maintains full awareness when handling simultaneous actions.
11. Develops and coordinates mandatory trainings & certifications for communications personnel.
12. Recognizes when situations escalates and coordinates appropriate responses in conjunction with the Shift Supervisor and/or Support Division Lieutenant.
13. Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Focus: General studies or Communication in Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice or related field.
• Experience: Two (2) years' experience in related field.
• Certifications/Licenses: Must possess an active 911 Telecommunicator/dispatch certification.
• Must have a valid driver's license upon employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Five (5) years’ work experience
2. Previous experience as telecommunications operator in law enforcement or emergency service work environment.
3. Previous experience supervising communications in an emergency work environment such as a 911 Dispatch setting.
4. Post-secondary formal training in mass communications or related field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Ability to speak in a clear and concise voice.
2. Ability to work through and deescalate conflict.
3. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
4. Ability to work effectively with a wide constituency.
5. Exceptional work effort and highly motivated.
6. Ability to recognize patterns, predict, and provide solutions or alternative approaches.
7. Ability to execute safety procedures in emergency situations.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

1. Must be available to work rotating shifts (including nights & weekends).
2. Job requires limited lifting of up to approximately 25 pounds, and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
3. Requirements of this job include close vision, as well as, ability to give & receive information through speaking & listening.
4. Job frequently requires sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands.
5. Job occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or bending.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, [phone].

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and wouldlike to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi StateUniversity, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: [phone] or [e-mail].

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human ResourcesManagement at [phone] or [e-mail]. Upon request, sections of thisjob listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.