Public Safety Dispatcher/Officer

Simmons College Company; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 23,047 - 36,823; Full time

Job summary

Simmons University is seeking Dispatchers/Public Safety Officers (PSO) to enhance the safety of the Boston campus. The PSOs work as part of a team to answer emergency and routine calls, dispatch resources, and monitor security systems.

This position requires effective communication, confidentiality, and adaptability to diverse situations while ensuring the safety of the campus community. Candidates must have a high school diploma and pass various pre-employment tests.

Hourly pay ranges from $16.73 to $26.73 based on experience, with a range of benefits offered.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Successful completion of a comprehensive pre-employment background investigation, medical exam, drug and psychological testing.

Responsibilities

• Take emergency and routine calls for service and record the details.
• Support campus events and provide shift coverage.
• Monitor security and life-safety systems on campus.

Skills

Communication

Customer Service

Adaptability

Confidentiality

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Computer-Aided Dispatch

Video Insight

Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS)

Workday

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Simmons University Dispatchers/Public Safety Officers (PSO) work in a team-based environment to support the mission, goals, and objectives of the Simmons University Public Safety Department. PSOs are non-sworn departmental members assigned to dispatcher functions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Take emergency and routine calls for service, record the details of the calls, dispatch appropriate public safety or other resources, and provide the details of those calls to responding officers.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of relevant rules, standard operating procedures, and emergency response protocols as a dispatcher.
• Interact with and monitor electronic database systems, including Computer-Aided Dispatch, Video Insight (IP video-based surveillance), IPARC, Cure 9000, ARMS, WebRMV, Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS), and Workday.
• Support all university departments, particularly Residential and Student Life, and Buildings and Grounds.
• Communicate with the Boston Police Department (BPD), Boston Fire Department (BFD), Boston Emergency Medical Services (BEMS), and other relevant federal, state and local enforcement and safety/security agencies.
• Provide emergency and routine notifications to university officials, including Public Safety command staff, Buildings and Grounds staff, Student and Residential Life staff, Health Center and Counseling staff, BPD, BFD, and BEMS, as well as other campus dispatchers.
• Monitor all security and life-safety systems on campus, ensuring proper operation and responding as needed.
• Support campus events and other campus-wide activities, providing shift coverage and working additional hours when required.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Patrol the Simmons University residential and academic campuses to deter crime and report abnormalities, suspicious activity, and facility maintenance issues.
• Assist police operations as directed and act as general public-safety agents, searching for and correcting hazards and violations of safety and security rules.
• Respond to calls for service as requested.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Successful completion of a comprehensive pre-employment background investigation, medical exam, drug and psychological testing.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• CPR / First Aid / AED certification.
• Campus public-safety experience.
• APCO Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) and Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) or other public-safety/law-enforcement dispatch training.

COMPETENCIES

• Confidentiality – Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information received during duties.
• Customer Service – Provide professional, courteous service to visitors, callers, agencies, and vendors.
• Adaptability – Adjust to changing circumstances and respond to a variety of calls for service.
• Communication – Effectively communicate orally, in writing, using two-way radio and telephone, and in face-to-face contacts.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Shift availability during a 24/7 operation, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Work involves bending, stooping, standing, kneeling, walking, light lifting, climbing stairs, and operation in confined spaces and varying outdoor weather conditions.

Hourly or annual salary range: $16.73–$26.73.

This is a benefits-eligible position. Compensation is based on experience, education, skills, equity, and external market benchmarks.

Simmons is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.