Dispatcher

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Hampton University Police Department is seeking a Communications Dispatcher to provide information and communication support services in a 24-hour center. The role includes call taking, dispatching police units, and maintaining clear records under stress.

The position requires high school diploma or GED, pass a background check with polygraph, substance testing, and a Virginia driver’s license. The candidate must be able to work nights, weekends, and holidays in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED; must pass a background investigation including polygraph.
• Must pass testing for controlled substances and hearing test.
• Must possess a valid Virginia driver’s license and have satisfactory driving record.
• Experience or ability to work in a 24-hour communications center.

Responsibilities

• Responds calmly and tactfully to callers on emergency and non-emergency lines.
• Ascertain the nature of the complaint and obtain complete information (names, addresses, emergency type).
• Enter data into the Computer Aided Dispatch System (CADS).
• Use CADS to dispatch police units and monitor status and location of units.
• Maintain logs and records and relay information to on-duty officers.

Skills

Communication

Call taking

Emergency dispatch

Stress management

Active listening

Clear reporting

Multitasking

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CADS

Job description

Description

Provide information and communication support services. Performsall phases of Communications to include: Call Taker, and PoliceTelecommunications. This position is non-exempt.

Examples of Duties

Performs duties under the direct supervision of the CommunicationsSupervisor. Duties will be performed in the Communications Centerswhich operate on a 24-hour basis. Personnel are assigned to aneight-hour shift which may require working nights, weekends, andholidays. Personnel are required to work in situations of extremestress (to include natural and man-made disasters). Incumbent isrequired to be totally familiar with all policies, procedures, andfunctions of Communications Section and to achieve satisfactoryperformance standards in all functional areas.

Typical Qualifications

• The ability to develop and maintain cooperative andprofessional relationships with fellow employees, representativesfrom other departments, and supervisors


• The ability to use logic and reasoning to reach a conclusionand approaches to problems


• The ability to use judgment and decision-making skills toevaluate situations, establish priorities, and resolve matters


• Ability to think quickly


• The ability to work under stressful situations


• The ability to actively listen and communicate effectivelythrough clear speech and hearing


• The ability to follow instructions


• The ability to write clearly and spell correctly


• The ability to establish and pass on information as needed

Graduation from high school or GED; Must successfully pass abackground investigation (to include a polygraph examination). Thisposition requires successfully passing testing for controlledsubstances and hearing test. Must possess a valid Virginia driver’slicense and must have a satisfactory driver’s record based on theHampton University criteria.

Supplemental Information

• Responds calmly and tactfully to callers on Emergency andnon-emergency lines. Ascertains the nature of the complaint,obtains complete and accurate information including names,addresses, type of emergency and other necessary information. Usesdesktop dictaphone recorder to clarify information as needed.Enters data into the Computer Aided Dispatch System (CADS).


• Enters into the computer for Virginia Criminal InformationCenter (VCIN) and/or National Criminal Information Center (NCIC)for information such as license checks, stolen vehicles, runawayjuveniles, missing persons and stolen articles. Uses a TelephoneDevice for the Deaf (TDD).


• Understands University offices, their functions and the keypersonnel assigned to those offices. Knows the chain of command ofthe Hampton University Police Department and Hampton University.Knows how to identify types of emergency vehicles and equipment,response ability of fire stations, police districts, and responselevel of complaints.


• Maintains wrecker lists, learns to use premise listings ofbuildings in CADS to respond to emergency calls after regularbusiness hours. Knows how to use street indexing. Notifies publicutility agencies of interruption of services to the campus.Maintains a variety of logs and records, as necessary.


• When assigned to Police Telecommunications:
  
  1. Maintains police unit status in CADS.
  2. Uses CADS to dispatch police units to various types of servicecalls. Uses CADS to monitor the exact location and status of allpolice units. Monitors and maintains all field activity.
  3. Uses the radio system to dispatch field units to a complaintusing correct terminology. Relays all pertinent informationoriginating on campus and surrounding area to on-duty officers.Records information transmitted by police officers.
  4. Certified in Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD).
  5. Performs other related duties as required.