Emergency Dispatcher Supervisor

University of Alaska; Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Alaska Fairbanks seeks an Emergency Dispatch Supervisor to lead the UAFECC and Emergency Dispatchers, overseeing 24/7 operations on campus.

You will supervise daily activities, coordinate staffing, develop procedures, and collaborate with the Chief of Police to ensure safety and compliance. The role may involve hands-on dispatch during emergencies and high-activity periods.

Qualifications

• Public‑Safety communications experience: understanding emergency communications and dispatch procedures.
• Leadership and Supervision: lead, coach, motivate, develop, and evaluate employees.
• Training and Development: coordinate education and professional growth for staff.

Responsibilities

• Supervise day-to-day operations of 24/7 emergency communications center.
• Hire, train, schedule, evaluate, coach and support Emergency Dispatchers.
• Establish performance expectations and coordinate continuing education.
• Coordinate with Chief of Police and department leadership to ensure compliant operations.
• Provide direct emergency communications when needed.

Skills

Public‑Safety Communications

Leadership

Training and Development

Job description

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

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