POLICE COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; Edinburg, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The University Police at UT Rio Grande Valley is seeking Police Communications Operators. This full-time position handles emergency 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls, enters information into a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, and dispatches field units to urgent requests while monitoring alarms and CCTV when needed.

Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED; an Associate’s degree or 30 credit hours in Criminal Justice is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED required.
• Associate’s degree or 30 credit hours in Criminal Justice or related field preferred.
• Basic TCOLE Telecommunications Operator license or eligibility to acquire one.
• One year of customer service experience required.
• Eligible for pre-employment polygraph, background check, and drug analysis.

Responsibilities

• Answers emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Dispatches field personnel according to priority and need.
• Transmits and receives radio calls from field units.
• Coordinates communications between units and agencies.
• Uses CAD to enter, research and retrieve information.
• Monitors alarms and CCTV systems as needed.
• Works under stress and follows oral and written instructions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s degree / 30 credits Criminal Justice

Tools

CAD system

Radio equipment

Job description

Office Location
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
1201 W. University Drive
Human Resources
MASS Building 2 nd Floor
Edinburg, TX 78539

Edinburg: [phone]
Brownsville: [phone]
Office hours:
Monday-Friday
8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

Faculty Recruitment:
College of Engineering & Computer Science: [e-mail]

Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship: [e-mail]

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Dear Applicant,
Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following:
*Date of Birth
*Gender
*Ethnicity/Race
Please make sure that you omit this information prior to submission. We are advising that Human Resources will be forwarding your application to the department as per your submission. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley reserves the right to discontinue accepting applications prior to the stated close date of this position, after meeting the posting requirement of three (3) calendar days.
If you have any questions, please visit our Careers site at https://careers.utrgv.edu for detailed contact information.

Position Information

Posting Number

Posting Number SRGV8866

Working Title

Working Title POLICE COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 4

Location

Location Edinburg, Texas

Department

Department University Police

FTE

FTE 1.0

FLSA

FLSA Non-Exempt

Scope of Job

The primary function of a Police Telecommunicator is to receive and prioritize Emergency 9-1-1 and non-emergency telephone calls from the public. Enters information into a Computer Aided Dispatch ( CAD ) system, and processes non-emergency and routine requests for police and security services. Dispatch appropriate emergency services such as police, fire and emergency medical services. Monitors public safety units in the field. Retrieves computer data for emergency response personnel within the service area. The Police Telecommunicator may provide alarm and closed circuit television monitoring services while performing multiple tasks concurrently in a fast paced environment maintaining a professional and positive demeanor. Serves as a Campus Security Authority as defined by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). Impacts law enforcement and security efforts of UTPD.

Description of Duties

• Answers emergency and non-emergency calls for service. Receives and records information, and requests for police/security services in a computerized database.
• Dispatches field personnel according to need and priority of the request for service.
• Transmits and receives radio calls from field units via two-way radio. The ability to speak concisely and distinctly.
• Coordinate and maintain effective communications between field units and neighboring law enforcement agencies.
• Uses a computer aided dispatch system to enter, research and retrieve information.
• Monitor closed circuit television, security, fire and radiological related alarm systems.
• React calmly, quickly and decisively in emergency situations to obtain, summarize and relay information both orally and in written form.
• Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.
• Demonstrate the ability to handle multiple tasks, working under stressful conditions. Activations of emergency procedures for evacuations or similar emergencies.
• Operation of specialized communication networking computer terminal to access confidential and restricted law enforcement information.
• Compile information from different sources to develop a daily briefing or a log which provides information to assist in the daily operations of the agency.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received

Supervisor, Police Telecommunications.

Supervision Given

None.

Required Education

High school graduation or GED .

Preferred Education

Associate’s degree or thirty credit hours in Criminal Justice or related field.

Licenses/Certifications

Basic Texas Commission on Law Enforcement ( TCOLE ) Telecommunications Operator license or is qualified to acquire a basic license.

Required Experience

One year experience in customer service or related field.

To be considered suitable for employment, applicants may be required to successfully complete a polygraph interview, a criminal back ground check, and an extensive drug use analysis.

Preferred Experience

One year experience in a public safety or emergency communications field.

Equipment

Use of standard office equipment. Police communications equipment, police radio net, computer aided dispatch ( CAD ), “911” Emergency telephone system, security and fire computer system ( STAEFA ), and other associated computer equipment.

Working Conditions

Needs to be able to successfully perform all required duties. Working in an enclosed, secured communications environment. Will be required to work rotating shift assignments on day, evening, and nights with varying days off and on holidays. Subject to emergency recall during various types of unusual occurrences and emergencies. UTRGV is a distributed institution, which requires presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

Other

Applicants must successfully complete a Public-Safety Telecommunication ( PST ) pre-employment test administered by the Police Department.

This position is classified as security-sensitive, and thereby subject to the provisions of Section 51.215, Texas Education Code.

To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

Physical Capabilities

N/A

Employment Category

Employment Category Full-Time

Minimum Salary

Minimum Salary Commensurate With Experience

Posted Salary

Posted Salary Commensurate with Experience

Position Available Date

Position Available Date 03/17/2026

Grant Funded Position

Grant Funded Position No

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Dear Applicant,
Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following:
Date of Birth
Gender
*Ethnicity/Race
Please make sure that you omit this information prior to submission. We are advising that Human Resources will be forwarding your application to the department as per your submission. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley reserves the right to discontinue accepting applications prior to the stated close date of this position, after meeting the posting requirement of three (3) calendar days.
If you have any questions, please visit our Careers site at https://careers.utrgv.edu for detailed contact information.

Additional Information

UTRGV is a distributed location institution and working location is subject to change based on need.
All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check ( CBC ). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Substitutions to the above requirements must have prior approval from the VP of HR & Talent Development .

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• Yes
• No
• * Are you now, or previously, employed by The University of Texas System or any of its institutions?
  • Yes - I currently am employed by the UT System or its institutions
  • Yes - I have previously been employed by the UT System or its institutions
  • No - I have never been employed by the UT System or its institutions
• * Please select your highest level of completed education.
  • 6th grade education
  • 10th grade education
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Associates Degree, Technical, or Trade School Degree/Certification or 60 Hours of College Hours
  • Bachelors Degree from an accredited university
  • Masters Degree from an accredited university
  • Ph. D. or other terminal degree from an accredited university
  • None of the above
• * Please provide the field of study for your education:

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Please indicate the number of years of work experience you have directly related to the position in which you are applying for:
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 year
  • 2 years
  • 3 years
  • 4 years
  • 5 years
  • 6 years
  • 7 years
  • 8 years
  • 9 years
  • 10 years
  • Over 10 years
• * Do you meet the minimum requirements for this position?
  • Yes
  • No