Public Safety Dispatcher II

Syracuse; City of Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Syracuse University seeks a Public Safety Dispatcher II to join the 24/7 Emergency Communications Center on campus. The role involves monitoring alarms, coordinating responses, and providing clear, professional communications with campus units and external agencies.

The position requires an Associate's degree and 2+ years of relevant experience (or 3+ years in a communications center), plus the ability to supervise staff and handle high-stress situations. Evening and weekend shifts are expected.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree with 2+ years as Dispatcher I within SU ECC or 3+ years in a communications center.
• Ability to supervise subordinate employees.
• Proficiency in data entry / keyboarding using Microsoft Office and law enforcement applications.
• Must pass background, drug screening, and psychological exam.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise day-to-day operations of the 24/7 communications center.
• Supervise, provide feedback and mentor communications center staff.
• Communicate via radio and telephone with patrol units and university departments.
• Practice proper radio dispatching techniques.
• Monitor alarms, access control, and CCTV systems.
• Provide professional verbal communications with outside police agencies and the public.
• Operate law enforcement and emergency communications equipment and software.
• Manage records pertaining to daily tour of duty.
• Prioritize radio and telephone communications and dispatch units.
• Make urgent decisions regarding emergencies.
• Monitor CCTV and assist investigators with video for incidents.
• Perform administrative duties such as data entry, filing, inventory, repair requests.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Supervisory experience

Data entry / keyboarding

Ability to work under stress

Multitasking in high-volume env.

Campus geography knowledge

Education

Associate's degree or higher

2+ years as Dispatcher I or 3+ years in a comms center

Tools

Microsoft Office

Law enforcement software

Radio/telemetry systems

Job description

Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.

Pay Range

Pay Range $26.523 Per Hour

Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.

Staff Level S3

FLSA Status

FLSA Status Non-exempt

Hours

Hours may vary based on operational needs.

• Must be willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays and be flexible with schedule.
• Must be willing to work unplanned overtime, special events, planned overtime, and overtime related to emergency call back.

Job Type

Full-time

Unionized Position Code Not Applicable

Job Description

A Public Safety Dispatcher II is a position that is responsible for all law enforcement emergency and non-emergency safety and security communications for the University community.

Education and Experience

• An Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) plus years as a Public Safety Dispatcher I within Syracuse University Emergency Communications Center ( ECC ); or an Associate’s degree and three plus years of experience working in a communications center role, and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to supervise subordinate employees
• Must be proficient in data entry/keyboarding using various Microsoft Office and law enforcement applications.
• Must successfully pass a background investigation, including but not limited to an initial drug screening and psychological exam.

Skills and Knowledge

• Good knowledge of the geography, patrol territories, roads, streets, buildings owned/operated by the university and special hazards within the University Campus.
• Must have strong communications skills and ability to communicate with a diverse community.
• Must be able to operate and perform under varying degrees of stress and pressure and be able to prioritize emergencies.
• Multi-task in a high-volume, community and student service centered environment.
• Must have the ability to be creative and innovative in problem-solving.
• Candidates may be required to sit for extended periods of time.
• Must be willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays and be flexible with schedule.
• Must be willing to work unplanned overtime, special events, planned overtime, and overtime related to emergency call back.
• Candidates must have the ability to effectively engage in communications that are often various and multiple, e.g.: hearing alarms, speaking clearly and hearing feedback on multi-channel radio system, speaking clearly and understanding various dialects on the telephone, viewing live-streaming video with adept concentration skills, navigating various software technologies including those associated with law-enforcement applications and Internet-based websites, and excellent data entry skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise day-to-day operations of the 24/7 communications center
• Supervise, provide feedback and serve as a mentor to communications center staff, including all fulltime and part-time civilian staff.
• Communicate via radio and telephone with patrol units, with various University service and auxiliary departments and with the Onondaga County 911 Center.
• Practices proper radio dispatching techniques using appropriate terminology in a calm and professional manner.
• Monitor, acknowledge and dispatch various alarms and access control systems events, and is responsible for monitoring a vast campus wide closed circuit television ( CCTV ) video security system.
• Provide professional and composed verbal communications with outside police agencies and the general public; maintaining sound customer service practices and meeting the needs of community members under sometimes stressful conditions is essential.
• Operate an extensive array of law enforcement and emergency related communications equipment as well as the latest computer software related technologies, including alert systems, intrusion and duress alarms.
• Manage all records pertaining to daily tour of duty.
• Prioritize all radio and telephone communications. Answer multiple telephone lines, receiving emergency and non-emergency calls for law enforcement, safety and security services, and dispatch patrol and other units to respond.
• Make urgent and critically important decisions regarding emergency situations based on knowledge, skills and policies and procedures.
• Monitor video security system CCTV as assigned and report and/or dispatch any anomalies. Assists investigators in searching for stored video related to incident and case investigations.
• Service all walk-in customers
• Perform administrative duties such as data entry and retrieval, information filing, record-keeping, supply and equipment inventory and repair requests.
• Runs NYSPIN / NCIC inquiries as requested.
• Monitor key control.
• Comply with all Federal, State and Local regulations relative to communications and protected data and information.
• Report technical problems clearly and expeditiously to appropriate department/division.
• May perform or safety, security or community service related duties as assigned.
• Maintains understanding of and familiarity with Department of Public Safety policies and procedures
• Ensures compliance with Department of Public Safety policies and procedures and Syracuse University rules and regulations by all personnel under his/her supervision
• Make notifications to appropriate personnel of significant or specific types of situations as required by Department of Public Safety policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

Candidates must have the ability to effectively engage in communications that are often various and multiple, e.g.: hearing alarms, speaking clearly and hearing feedback on multi-channel radio system, speaking clearly and understanding various dialects on the telephone, viewing live-streaming video with adept concentration skills, navigating various software technologies including those associated with law-enforcement applications and Internet-based websites, and excellent data entry skills.

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.

About the Syracuse area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEO Statement

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community

Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.