Emergency Dispatcher Supervisor

Southern Arkansas University; Fairbanks (AK); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Alaska Fairbanks Police Department seeks an Emergency Dispatch Supervisor to lead the 24/7 Emergency Communications Center operations. You will supervise dispatchers, oversee training, schedules, and performance, and collaborate with the Chief of Police on procedures and technology needs.

You will help ensure compliance with laws, policies, and professional standards while remaining calm under pressure and providing high-quality public-safety communications during emergencies and

Qualifications

• 4 years dispatching experience with 2 years in a supervisory/training role.
• Certification requirements maintained for the duration of employment.
• Associate's degree or higher preferred; relevant coursework encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Supervise day-to-day operations of a 24-hour emergency comms center.
• Hire, train, schedule, coach, and evaluate Emergency Dispatchers.
• Develop procedures, ensure compliance, and support department leadership.

Skills

Public-Safety Communications

Leadership & Supervision

Training & Development

Decision-Making Under Pressure

Communication Skills

Organization & Time Mgmt

Quality Assurance

Technology Systems

Collaboration

Adaptability

Professionalism & Integrity

Education

Associate's degree or higher

Communications Center Manager Course or Equivalent

CTO/FTO Course

CTO/FTO Refresher Course

APCO Telecommunicator 1

Methods of Instruction Course (preferred)

Tools

Computer-Aided Dispatch Systems

Emergency Telephone Systems

Public-Safety Radio Systems

Recording Systems

Alarm Monitoring Systems

Criminal Justice Information Systems

Job description

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As the Emergency Dispatch Supervisor, you will provide leadership, administrative oversight, and operational supervision for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Emergency Communications Center (UAFECC) and the Emergency Dispatchers who serve the UAF community.

You will be responsible for supervising the day-to-day operations of a 24-hour emergency communications center, including hiring, training, scheduling, evaluating, coaching, and supporting Emergency Dispatchers. You will help establish performance expectations, coordinate initial and continuing education, conduct quality assurance reviews, address performance concerns, and promote the professional development of communications personnel.

The Emergency Dispatch Supervisor will work closely with the Chief of Police and other department leadership to ensure effective communications center operations, maintain appropriate staffing, develop and update procedures, coordinate technology and equipment needs, and ensure compliance with University policies, department procedures, applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards.

The position may also provide direct emergency communications and dispatch services when operational needs require, including during emergencies, critical incidents, staffing shortages, and periods of significant campus activity.

OUR ORGANIZATION, MISSION, AND CULTURE:

The mission of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Police Department is to protect Alaska's future while serving UAF and our community with integrity, courage, and care. UAFPD provides law enforcement and emergency communications services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Emergency Communications Center (UAFECC) is an integral part of that mission. In addition to providing emergency dispatching and radio communications for UAF Police, the UAFECC monitors campus and university alarm systems, supports after-hours university operations, assists Facilities Services, Residence Life, Student Services, and Environmental Health and Safety, and serves as an important point of contact during emergencies and hazardous conditions.

As the Emergency Dispatch Supervisor, you will help create and maintain a communications center culture built on professionalism, teamwork, accountability, integrity, continuous learning, and service. You will be expected to lead by example, communicate openly with employees and department leadership, recognize excellent performance, address concerns appropriately, and create an environment where dispatchers are supported in performing demanding and meaningful public-safety work.

You will also be an important part of the department's leadership team and will have the opportunity to help shape the future of the Emergency Communications Center through training, employee development, policy development, technology improvements, and continuous evaluation of center operations.

THE BENEFITS OF JOINING OUR TEAM:

This position provides the opportunity to lead and develop a team of public-safety professionals who serve as a critical connection between the UAF community and emergency responders.

Emergency Dispatchers are often the first members of the department to interact with someone experiencing an emergency. Their ability to gather information, remain calm, prioritize competing demands, and provide accurate information to responding personnel can directly influence the outcome of an incident. As their supervisor, you will have the opportunity to provide the training, mentorship, guidance, and support necessary for them to succeed.

Unlike many traditional dispatch centers, the UAF Emergency Communications Center supports a diverse university environment. The UAFECC interacts with students, employees, visitors, law enforcement officers, university departments, outside emergency responders, and community partners. This creates opportunities to develop expertise not only in public-safety communications, but also in emergency management, campus safety, crisis response, training, leadership, and university operations.

UAFPD values continuing education and professional development. The Emergency Dispatch Supervisor will be encouraged to remain current with public-safety communications practices and pursue relevant training and professional development opportunities.

THE WORKING CONDITIONS YOU CAN EXPECT:

The Emergency Dispatch Supervisor works within the University of Alaska Fairbanks Police Department on the UAF Troth Yeddha' campus. The Emergency Communications Center operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The communications environment can change rapidly. On any given day, the UAFECC may manage routine requests for service, police activity, alarm activations, campus incidents, medical or fire emergencies, critical incidents, severe weather, university emergencies, or multiple events occurring simultaneously.

The successful candidate must be capable of remaining calm and making sound decisions during stressful situations while effectively supervising employees who are performing time-sensitive public-safety duties.

Although this position will have significant administrative and supervisory responsibilities, operational needs may require the supervisor to work outside normal business hours, adjust schedules, respond to staffing shortages, assist during major incidents, or perform emergency dispatch duties.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

We are interested in candidates who demonstrate:

• Public-Safety Communications Experience: A strong understanding of emergency communications, call taking, police dispatch procedures, radio operations, emergency response, and communications center operations.
• Leadership and Supervision: The ability to lead, coach, motivate, develop, and evaluate employees while establishing clear expectations and holding employees accountable in a fair and consistent manner.
• Training and Employee Development: Experience training emergency dispatchers or other public-safety personnel and the ability to identify training needs, develop training strategies, evaluate employee progress, and promote continuing professional development.
• Decision-Making Under Pressure: The ability to quickly assess complicated situations, establish priorities, make sound decisions, and maintain composure during emergencies and critical incidents.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with dispatchers, police officers, supervisors, university employees, outside agencies, and members of the public.
• Organization and Time Management: The ability to manage multiple responsibilities, frequent interruptions, staffing concerns, administrative assignments, and operational needs while producing accurate and timely work.
• Quality Assurance: The ability to review communications center performance, identify areas for improvement, provide constructive feedback, and implement changes designed to improve service and operational effectiveness. Policy and Procedure Development: The ability to interpret, develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, training materials, and operational guidelines.
• Technology and Communications Systems: Familiarity with computer-aided dispatch systems, emergency telephone systems, public-safety radio systems, recording systems, alarm monitoring systems, and criminal justice information systems.
• Collaboration: The ability to establish effective working relationships with law enforcement personnel, university departments, emergency responders, partner agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Adaptability: The ability to successfully manage change, evaluate emerging operational needs, implement improvements, and support employees during changes in technology, procedures, staffing, or organizational expectations.
• Professionalism and Integrity: A commitment to confidentiality, ethical conduct, accountability, reliability, and the professional standards expected of employees working within a law enforcement environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

4 years relevant dispatching experience, two years of this experience in a supervisory, training or lead role, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Communications Center Manager Course or Equivalent (80hr Training); Current CTO/FTO Course; Current CTO/FTO Refresher Course; Current APCO Telecommunicator 1 class or equivalent; Methods of Instruction Course, preferred; Associate's degree or higher (preferred);

Emergency Police Dispatcher Certification and Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) certification and security clearance must be maintained during entire employment.

This position is located on the Troth Yeddha' campus in Fairbanks. This is a full-time, non-exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and https://www.alaska.edu/hr/benefits/support/prospectiveemployees.php. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the https://www.alaska.edu/hr/benefits/compensation/compensation/salary-schedules.php#:~:text=of%20hours%20worked-,Salary%20Schedules,-Faculty%20Salary%20Schedules, Grade 80, based on education and experience.

Application review will begin on Monday, October 12th. To ensure consideration, please submit a complete application by 11:55pm Alaska Standard Time on October 11, 2026.

To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nP7VlUQFKRtrsOygP2eM4-IF6Fp4jvpFw_EAQ_opm8w/edit?usp=drive_link.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Valerie Rickards, UAF Police Department Administrative and Fiscal Officer, at mailto:[e-mail], or 907-474-7721.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at mailto:[e-mail].

The http://www.alaska.edu/ (https://www.alaska.edu/alaska/index.php) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a http://www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination (http://www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or mailto:[e-mail] / 907-786-1214 or mailto:[e-mail].

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or mailto:[e-mail].

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing mailto:[e-mail].