Public Safety Telecommunicator

Laseagrant; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 29,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks a Public Safety Telecommunicator for its Campus Police Communications Center. This 100% full-time Civil Service position involves handling emergency and non-emergency calls, monitoring radio and telephone channels, and coordinating information to police, fire, and campus departments.

Applicants must be reliable, able to work holidays and weekends, and demonstrate initiative within procedural boundaries.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of radio and phone equipment used in a communications center.
• Ability to type at 25 words per minute.
• Experience with computer terminals and information systems (LEADS, NCIC).
• Familiarity with police and fire policies, procedures, and terminology.

Responsibilities

• Receive and interpret in-coming citizen complaints and reports; log and disseminate messages.
• Operate communications equipment to transmit police and emergency messages.
• Enter/retrieve information from law enforcement information systems; recognize terminal malfunctions.

Skills

Radio and phone equipment

Typing 25 wpm

Computer terminals

LEADS/NCIC familiarity

Judgement and initiative

Shift work (holidays/weekends)

Adaptability to change

Attendance reliability

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The Division of Public Safety is now accepting applicationsfor a Public Safety Telecommunicator. The Public Safety Telecommunicator worksin a fast-paced and potentially stressful environment serving as the initialcontact with the public, both by telephone and in person. They receive andtransmit messages and information for police and fire departments usingtelephone, radio, and /or computer terminal equipment. Telecommunicators provideassistance to several other departments on campus including Facilities andServices and Housing. This position requires a degree of initiative andindependent judgement within procedural boundaries in responding to a varietyof situations. There is potential exposure to unpleasantdispatches/report/conversations related to violent crimes. As essentialpersonnel, the Public Safety Telecommunicators are required to work in-personwithout the ability to work remotely. It is imperative that people in this roleare reliable and willing to work holidays and weekends.

Testing

Testing for this position will be in person on November 17th, 2026 at 9:00 A.M.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Receive and interpret in-coming citizen complaints, inquires, and reports of emergency and non-emergency situations; log, coordinate, disseminate, and maintain records of messages; may initiate police reports of incidents; originate and disseminate information regarding safety and well-being of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and citizens.
• Operate 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.
• Operate 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; interpret responses of the data systems; recognize malfunctions of the terminal and assist 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 send emergency and non-emergency information to the campus via the Illini-Alert system. Make emergency notifications at the direction of supervisory personnel, as well as by procedure.
• Assist in the training of new Telecommunicators.
• Control access to police station by requiring proper identification and/or escort to unauthorized visitors.
• Process routine police enforcement documents and records. Review Police Officer reports and entries in the records management systems making updates and data corrections as needed.
• Operate and monitor the control center of a computerized fire and security alarm system.
• Monitor and retrieve information from the card access system usage within Housing.
• Monitor local weather warning system and broadcast severe weather notices.
• Perform 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 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 judgement 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. Thecollective bargaining agreement sets a wage of $25.81/hr.

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

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

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

For further information about this specific position, please contact Jen Cochrane at [e-mail]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

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

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] .

Looking for more University of Illinois Positions?

We invite you to search for positions at each of the University of Illinois' locations, the University of Illinois System Office and the University of Illinois Foundation. The University of Illinois System Office supports the primary missions of teaching, research, public service, and economic development for all of the Universities and offers positions in all locations. The University of Illinois Foundation is the official fundraising and private gift-receiving agency for the University of Illinois and also offers position in all locations. Click the links below to search for other University of Illinois positions.