Emergency Communications Operator

University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Texas at Austin Police Department seeks an Emergency Communications Operator to provide 24/7 police communications, including call-taking, dispatching officers, monitoring radio traffic, and maintaining incident information to protect the UT community.

You will work in a fast-paced environment, coordinating with other safety agencies, operating CAD and security systems, and ensure accurate documentation while supporting critical incidents and routine calls.

Qualifications

• Must possess a current intermediate TCOLE Telecommunicator License and maintain all required TCOLE, TCIC/NCIC, and CJIS certifications throughout employment.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must successfully complete the required background investigation, drug screening, and other pre-employment requirements.
• Must be able to work a 24/7/365 schedule, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and emergency call-back or holdover assignments as required by operational needs.

Responsibilities

• Receive, assess, prioritize, and process emergency, non-emergency, and administrative calls, accurately obtaining and documenting critical information.
• Dispatch and coordinate UTPD officers and emergency personnel to calls for service based on priority, location, officer availability, and operational needs.
• Operate and monitor CAD, police radio, telephone, alarms, emergency notification systems, access control systems, and other public safety communications and security systems.
• Monitor campus video surveillance and camera systems, identify suspicious, hazardous, or emergency conditions, and promptly communicate relevant information to officers and appropriate personnel.
• Coordinate emergency responses with UTPD personnel and outside law enforcement, fire, EMS, and other public safety agencies.
• Support critical incidents and special operations, including major events, demonstrations, severe weather, active threats, disasters, and other emergencies, while maintaining operational readiness and continuity of communications.
• Enter, retrieve, and maintain accurate information in CAD, TCIC/NCIC, CJIS, and other authorized law enforcement or university systems while maintaining confidentiality and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to support the mission and operational needs of the University of Texas Police Department.

Skills

TCOLE Telecommunicator License

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Emergency Communications Operator

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Hiring Department:

University Police Department

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

To Be Determined at Offer

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Earliest Start Date:

Ongoing

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

Provides 24/7 emergency and non-emergency police communications, including call-taking, dispatching officers, monitoring radio traffic, coordinating emergency responses, monitoring video footage, and maintaining accurate incident information while supporting officer and public safety.

Purpose

Provides critical 24/7 police communications support by receiving calls, dispatching officers, coordinating emergency responses, monitoring radio traffic, and maintaining accurate information to protect the safety of the UT community and UTPD personnel.

Responsibilities

• Receive, assess, prioritize, and process emergency, non-emergency, and administrative calls, accurately obtaining and documenting critical information.
• Dispatch and coordinate UTPD officers and emergency personnel to calls for service based on priority, location, officer availability, and operational needs.
• Operate and monitor CAD, police radio, telephone, alarms, emergency notification systems, access control systems, and other public safety communications and security systems.
• Monitor campus video surveillance and camera systems, identify suspicious, hazardous, or emergency conditions, and promptly communicate relevant information to officers and appropriate personnel.
• Coordinate emergency responses with UTPD personnel and outside law enforcement, fire, EMS, and other public safety agencies.
• Support critical incidents and special operations, including major events, demonstrations, severe weather, active threats, disasters, and other emergencies, while maintaining operational readiness and continuity of communications.
• Enter, retrieve, and maintain accurate information in CAD, TCIC/NCIC, CJIS, and other authorized law enforcement or university systems while maintaining confidentiality and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to support the mission and operational needs of the University of Texas Police Department.

Required Qualifications

• Must possess a current intermediate TCOLE Telecommunicator License and maintain all required TCOLE, TCIC/NCIC, and CJIS certifications throughout employment.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must successfully complete the required background investigation, drug screening, and other pre-employment requirements.
• Must be able to work a 24/7/365 schedule, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and emergency call-back or holdover assignments as required by operational needs.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six (6) or more years of experience as a TCOLE-licensed Telecommunicator in a public safety communications or emergency communications environment.
• Possess a current advanced TCOLE Telecommunicator License.
• Prior supervisory or leadership experience in a public safety communications center, including experience as a Communications Lead, Senior Telecommunicator, Communications Supervisor, or equivalent position.
• Experience working in a law enforcement, university police, or other public safety communications environment.
• Experience with CAD, TCIC/NCIC, CJIS, radio communications, video surveillance, emergency notification, and other public safety technology systems.
• Experience coordinating communications during critical incidents, major events, emergencies, severe weather, or other high-demand operational situations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, train, and support communications personnel while maintaining professionalism, accountability, and operational readiness.

Salary Range

$61,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished).
• Some severe weather work may be required.
• May work in extreme temperatures.
• May work around standard office conditions.
• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard.
• Use of manual dexterity.
• Climbing of stairs.
• Climbing of ladders.
• Lifting and moving.

Work Shift

• Full-time, 24/7/365 operation.
• Work schedules may include 5×8-hour, 4×10-hour, or 12-hour shifts.
• Employees may be assigned to day, evening, or night shifts and must be available to work weekends, holidays, overtime, and other periods of increased operational demand.
• Employees may also be required to remain on duty beyond their scheduled shift or report back to work when operationally necessary. Schedules are subject to change based on staffing and departmental needs.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.