Public Safety Dispatcher

University of San Diego; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 31,684 - 34,440; Full time

Job summary

The University of San Diego's Public Safety team is seeking a Public Safety Dispatcher who serves as the first point of contact for the campus community. You will dispatch officers, monitor alarms, cameras, and radio systems, and coordinate with outside agencies while maintaining calm under pressure.

Responsibilities include prioritizing calls, following SOPs, supporting on-call staff, and ensuring student and staff safety through accurate data entry and timely communication.

Qualifications

• High School graduate or GED; two years of dispatcher experience preferred.
• Equivalent combination of related education and progressively responsible work experience.
• Pre-employment background check and medical exam required.

Responsibilities

• Answer and screen emergency and non-emergency public safety calls; dispatch officers.
• Use judgment to set priorities and follow protocols.
• Coordinate with on-call counselors, medical providers, and campus staff.
• Maintain radio contact and monitor alarm and video systems.
• Retrieve data in CAD and enter information accurately.

Skills

Judgment under pressure

Multitasking

Communication skills

Office procedures

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

CAD system

Video surveillance

Door access system

Mobile radio system

Job description

Position Title & Department: Public Safety Dispatcher; Public Safety

Posting #: 5651

Position Status: Full-time regular

Location: San Diego

Position Type: Staff, Public Safety

Job Summary

The dispatcher is generally the first point of contact for the campus community, faculty, staff, students, guests, and visitors needing information or assistance from Public Safety. The dispatcher is responsible for maintaining effective and efficient communications between public safety officers, kiosk officers, outside emergency and law enforcement agencies, the university community, and visiting public. They answer and dispatch public safety officers to emergency and non-emergency calls for service and perform various technical tasks operating advanced alarm computer, video surveillance, and mobile radio systems. They use a computer-aided dispatch system (CAD) to input, retrieve, and generate reports, demonstrating good judgment, discretion, prioritization, and decision-making under pressure.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Answer and screen incoming emergency and non-emergency public safety calls for service, dispatch calls for service, critical incidents, and emergency calls; coordinate calls for outside emergency and law enforcement agency assistance.
• Use judgment and discretion to set priorities, assess the importance of information, and react quickly and effectively, following established protocols and procedures.
• Contact on-call counselors, CARE advocates, medical providers, facilities department, university administrators, and allied agencies following established procedures; assist officers with field support when needed.
• Maintain radio contact with public safety personnel, keep supervisors and officers informed, and monitor campus alarm and video systems and surrounding community radio frequencies for relevant activity.
• Utilize alarms, cameras, university records, door access, and parking computer systems to retrieve data in CAD following established procedures.
• Monitor and review live and recorded camera system for safety and security concerns, including high-risk areas, restricted access areas, response to alarms or suspicious behaviors, and special events; conduct follow-up and investigative review of cameras and door access systems related to open cases upon officer request.
• Coordinate with Residential Life staff on calls for service regarding student conduct and wellness, ensuring students have access to support and campus resources.
• Assist with remote unlocks and lock-ups in the door access system following established procedures to ensure safety and security of the campus community and property.
• Assist the campus community or visitors at the walk-up window with requests for service and general information.
• Activate mass emergency notification, campus lockdown, or evacuation when directed or required by SOP; act as liaison between Emergency Operation Center and Dispatch when posted at the Incident Command Center.
• Process, respond to, and document records requests for outside agencies performing background checks on former USD staff and students.
• Process lost and found items turned into Public Safety by receiving, documenting, and entering the item information into a computer database and responding to inquiries about lost and found items.

Special Conditions of Employment

Must be able to work flexible hours including all rotating shift assignments, nights, weekends, and holidays; available for on-call assignments and overtime as needed.

Background Check

Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement

Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Graduate or GED.
• Two years of experience as a law enforcement dispatcher, telephone operator, or equivalent; or two years of clerical experience or customer service involving public contact preferred. OR
• An equivalent combination of related business and police science education and progressively responsible work experience.
• Successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and medical exam.

Performance Expectations – Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrate and maintain good judgment with the ability to independently respond and act quickly, accurately evaluate information and situations, and make appropriate decisions in routine, non-routine, and emergency situations.
• Maintain self-control, poise, composure, and concentration while working in a fast-paced multi-tasking environment with numerous interruptions and noise; remain calm, think clearly, and use sound judgment under high pressure.
• Knowledge of generally accepted office procedures, strong record-keeping and prioritization skills, ability to type and operate general office and computerized equipment, and sufficient reading, writing, and spelling.
• Possess excellent communication skills; speak clearly and concisely, follow oral and written instructions, transfer information accurately, and handle a wide range of interpersonal interactions effectively.
• Ability to learn standard broadcasting procedures, FCC rules regarding law enforcement radio transmission, and the 10-code system.
• Ability to learn and operate technical security systems, perform basic troubleshooting, and coordinate repairs on equipment as needed.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and interact with all members of the campus community and the public.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Comply with all departmental uniform and equipment standards.

Salary and Benefits

$23.85–23.86 per hour. The University of San Diego offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and a retirement contribution, as well as access to on-campus fitness centers.

Hours

40 hours per week.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus.