Public Safety Telecommunicator

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking a Public Safety Telecommunicator to join the Division of Public Safety. The role involves handling emergency and non-emergency calls, relaying information to police and fire departments, and operating multiple dispatch systems in a high-stress environment.

Responsibilities include monitoring cameras, issuing Illini-Alerts, and assisting in training new telecommunicators.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must have ability to operate radio and telephone equipment in a busy control center.
• Knowledge of LEADS and police records systems is preferred.
• Ability to work shift work including holidays and weekends.
• Demonstrated reliability and independent judgment within procedures.

Responsibilities

• Receives and interprets complaints, logs, disseminates messages; may initiate police reports.
• Operates communications center equipment to receive and transmit police and emergency messages.
• Uses LEADS and other systems to enter or retrieve information for data gathering.
• Operates and monitors secure cameras, disseminating safety concerns to officers.
• Sends emergency and non-emergency messages via Illini-Alert system as directed.
• Assists in training new Telecommunicators.
• Controls access to the police station with proper ID.
• Processes routine police documents and updates records in RMS.
• Monitors the control center of fire and security alarm systems.
• Monitors card access system usage within Housing.
• Monitors weather warning system and broadcasts alerts.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Skills

Radio & phone equipment

Typing 25 wpm

Independent judgment

Shift work

Reliability

Adaptability

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

LEADS

Police records systems

Computer terminal operation

Job description

Division of Public Safety

The Division of Public Safety is now accepting applications for a Public Safety Telecommunicator. The Public Safety Telecommunicator works in a fast-paced and potentially stressful environment serving as the initial contact with the public, both by telephone and in person. They receive and transmit messages and information for police and fire departments using telephone, radio, and /or computer terminal equipment. Telecommunicators provide assistance to several other departments on campus including Facilities and Services and Housing. This position requires a degree of initiative and independent judgement within procedural boundaries in responding to a variety of situations. There is potential exposure to unpleasant dispatches/report/conversations related to violent crimes. As essential personnel, the Public Safety Telecommunicators are required to work in-person without the ability to work remotely. It is imperative that people in this role are reliable and willing to work holidays and weekends.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Receives and interprets in-coming citizen complaints, inquires, and reports of emergency and non-emergency situations; logs, coordinates, disseminates, and maintains records of messages; may initiate police reports of incidents; originates and disseminates information regarding safety and well-being of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and citizens.
• Operates equipment of a communications control center to receive and transmit police business and emergency messages; may monitor and provide base-station service for multiple police, security, and fire radio channels.
• Operates terminal connected to federal, state, or local law enforcement information systems (such as Law Enforcement Agency Data System, LEADS, National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System; or National Crime Information Center) and a departmental computer to enter or retrieve information for the purpose of gathering, verifying, or maintaining data; interprets responses of the data systems; recognizes malfunctions of the terminal and assists system personnel in the correction of problems.
• Utilize and operate secure cameras throughout the campus district and disseminate pertinent safety and welfare concerns to police officers.
• Compose and sends emergency and non-emergency information to the campus via the Illini-Alert system. Makes emergency notifications at the direction of supervisory personnel, as well as by procedure.
• Assists in the training of new Telecommunicators.
• Controls access to police station by requiring proper identification and/or escort to unauthorized visitors.
• Processes routine police enforcement documents and records. Review Police Officer reports and entries in the records management systems making updates and data corrections as needed.
• Operates and monitors the control center of a computerized fire and security alarm system.
• Monitors and retrieves information from the card access system usage within Housing.
• Monitors local weather warning system and broadcasts severe weather notices.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• No record of conviction of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of all radio and phone equipment housed within the communications center.
• Working knowledge of typewriter keyboard layout and ability to type at a rate of 25 net words per minute.
• Working knowledge of computer terminal operation and application.
• Working knowledge of selected police and fire policies, procedures, and terminology.
• Working knowledge of police records systems.
• Working knowledge of police and fire alarm systems.
• Working knowledge of Law Enforcement Agency Data System (LEADS).
• Ability to practice regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to take initiative and use independent judgment within procedural boundaries.
• Ability and willingness to do shift work which may include holidays and weekends.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 1164 - Police Telecommunicator position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. The collective bargaining agreement sets a wage of $25.80/hr.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx .

Benefits

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• a Retirement Plan
• Paid time Off
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents

The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security.

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on September 14, 2026.

If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail] .

Champaign-Urbana