Police Dispatcher (multiple opportunities)

FHLB Des Moines; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Washington Police Department Seattle campus is seeking a Police Dispatcher to join the Communications Center. You will handle 911 and non-emergency calls, determine needs, dispatch police mobile units, and refer to appropriate resources, while documenting in CAD and managing radio communications.

Ideal candidates possess strong customer service and communication skills, with the ability to stay calm under pressure in a high-security environment.

Qualifications

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• Two years of dispatching experience or completion of an accredited dispatcher program.
• Current Washington State Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification, ACCESS certifications, or out-of-state POST/PST certification.

Responsibilities

• Answer and process emergency and non-emergency calls, document in CAD.
• Dispatch police and resources, communicate safety information across radio channels.
• Maintain event records, perform NCIC/WACIC entries, and manage notifications.
• Participate in training and professional development activities.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Language skills

Typing

Teamwork

Calm under pressure

Education

High school diploma

Tools

CAD/RMS

Job description

Job Description

This recruitment offers a $5,000 sign-on bonus to eligible Lateral-Level Police Dispatchers, and $2,500 sign-on bonus to eligible Entry-level Police Dispatchers joining UWPD! The University of Washington Police Department (UWPD) has an outstanding opportunity for Police Dispatcher to join their team.

About this Opportunity Reporting to the Communications Supervisor, the Police Dispatcher is responsible for performing specialized and varied work in the Police Department Communications Center to include receiving and transmitting law enforcement and related public safety information.

This position is responsible for answering department telephones, including emergency 911 telephone calls, determining the nature of the caller’s needs and dispatching police mobile units, or referring the call to the appropriate resource; prioritizing and routing emergency calls to fire, police and emergency medical services. There is often a high volume of calls, many of which involve accidents or crimes in progress. This position also supports some non-public safety functions of the university in a similar, though less emergent, capacity. UWPD is proud to be dually accredited by both the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC).

Key Responsibilities

• Call Taking and Processing – 40% Answer and process emergency and non-emergency calls for service; interviewing callers to determine call natures, supporting information, and safety elements; connecting callers with alternate departments and resources when appropriate; documenting call information in a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System. Balances multiple incoming calls for service in a trunked phone system, in addition to intakes via text-to-911 and public safety mobile application (SafeZone).
• Police Dispatching and Radio Communications – 40% Dispatch calls for service to police personnel and alternative response resources using approved terminology and formatting; communicate criminal justice information and safety information in a clear and concise manner; maintain situational awareness of field unit operations over multiple radio channels and conduct status checks; Radio traffic controller for up to four channels while monitoring up to three additional channels.
• Information Management, Records, and Administrative Work – 15% Maintaining accurate event records; making NCIC/WACIC record entries as well as relevant modifications, queries, and confirmations; conducting notifications as requested; special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Training and Professional Development – 5% Participates in training exercises and departmental activities to improve operations; Completes training required for departmental, state, and federal requirements, meeting or exceeding certification, accreditation, and legal requirements; Refresher trainings; and trainings for new technologies and processes.

The above are listed as an estimation—frequency, duration, and additional duties will vary as the community safety needs of the day demand.

Required Qualifications

• High school graduation or equivalent
• Two years of experience to include dispatching responsibilities and/or completion of an accredited dispatcher program.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong customer service skills
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills to include demonstrated ability to clearly and concisely speak English and understand English
• Word processing/computer experience
• Accurate keyboarding skills
• Demonstrated ability to accurately hear and simultaneously document verbal information
• Proven ability to exhibit professional patience and calm control while interviewing callers who may be verbally abusive, emotionally upset, uncooperative, or frightened, or for whom English may not be their first language
• Ability to work in a high-pressured, high security environment
• Ability to take direction, working both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work in a confined area, primarily seated in an office setting for extended periods of time with no outside visibility.
• Must believe in teamwork and have strong commitment to excellence and continued improvement Police dispatch experience
• Experience with emergency 911 calls CAD/RMS experience
• Current Washington State Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification, ACCESS certifications, or out of state POST or PST certification or coursework
• Fluency in other languages (such as Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Russian)

Working Conditions

• Working Conditions Employees must be willing to work any shift or workweek, including mandatory overtime and holidays, as assigned. Work is performed primarily seated in an office setting with no outside visibility. All final applicants will be required to complete a minimum of two hours observation in the University of Washington Communication Center. This should be scheduled before taking the polygraph examination or psychological evaluation. No felony convictions and no pattern of misdemeanor convictions that could compromise access to confidential records. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of comprehensive background investigation, polygraph, and psychological examinations. This position is located at UW Police Department in a state-of-the-art building on 15th Ave NE. Must be comfortable working in a police station environment.

About the Team

The Division of Campus Community Safety (DCCS) unifies front-line public safety units across the University for a holistic approach to campus community safety, innovation in approaches, and clarity in leadership responsibility and accountability. Key units include UW Emergency Management, SafeCampus and the UW Police Department Seattle campus. Division staff work daily in partnership with units across and outside the UW system to both create safer, welcoming campus environments; prepare for potential natural or human-made disasters; and respond appropriately to incidents. The University of Washington Police Department (UWPD) has the exclusive responsibility to act upon law-enforcement matters and perform police functions for the Seattle Campus of the University of Washington, 24 hours a day. Watch our UW Police Video to meet us and see what it is like to work on the Seattle Campus. The UWPD 911 team is made of eight dispatchers and two leads reporting to a civilian supervisor. The team supports police and security operations on the UW Seattle campus as well as many other campus services.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

• Pay Range Minimum: $63,156.00 annual
• Pay Range Maximum: $84,924.00 annual
• Other Compensation:
  • Benefits: For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/
• Shift: Alternate Work Shift (United States of America)
• Temporary or Regular? This is a regular position
• FTE (Full-Time Equivalent): 100.00%
• Union/Bargaining Unit: SEIU Local 925
• Nonsupervisory

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

Our Commitment The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [e-mail].

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.