SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

University of Missouri-Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Missouri-Columbia seeks a Safety Communications Operator within the MU Police Department. This pivotal role handles emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatches officers, and monitors alarms and cameras to coordinate rapid campus responses.

You will maintain CAD logs, utilize public-safety systems, and provide professional customer service at the front desk. Shift work includes days, evenings, and overnights to ensure 24/7 coverage.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• At least two years of related experience or equivalent skills.

Responsibilities

• Answer and manage multi-line phone systems including 911 and administrative lines.
• Gather accurate information, assess urgency, and prioritize requests.
• Operate police radio systems to dispatch personnel and track status.
• Monitor alarms and campus cameras, coordinate immediate responses.
• Maintain real-time CAD logs and use public-safety systems like CAD, MULES, and Rave.

Skills

Two years experience

Accurate typing

Customer service

Shift adaptability

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Job description

Hiring Department

MU Police Department.

Job Description

Overview

At the University of Missouri Police Department, law enforcement is about more than just policing - it's about building community, fostering trust, and protecting the future. Safety Communications Operators are the first point of contact for emergency and non-emergency assistance, serving as a vital communications hub for police and public safety operations. In this role, you will manage critical information flow, support officer safety, and ensure timely, accurate coordination of responses across campus. This position demands professionalism, composure, and strong decision‑making in a fast-paced environment.

What You'll Do

Emergency and Non-Emergency Call Handling:

• Answer and manage multi-line phone systems, including 911, emergency, and administrative lines and transfer calls to appropriate personnel or agencies as needed.
• Gather accurate information from callers, assess urgency, and prioritize requests for service.
• Serve as the university's after-hours emergency switchboard and route urgent notifications appropriately.

Radio and Dispatch Operations:

• Operate multi-channel police radio systems to dispatch officers, security personnel, and support units.
• Track officer status, movements, and safety through continuous monitoring and documentation.
• Relay real-time updates, safety alerts, and critical information to field personnel with clarity and precision.

Monitoring and Security Systems:

• Monitor alarms, panic systems, and campus camera feeds.
• Identify suspicious, unsafe, or criminal activity and coordinate immediate response from available units.
• Document building alarms and work with Facilities or after-hours maintenance when required.

Data Entry and Incident Documentation:

• Maintain accurate, real-time CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch) logs for all police and security activity.
• Use public-safety systems including CAD, MULES, and Rave to enter, retrieve, and verify data.
• Support incident reporting and investigative needs through detailed and consistent documentation.

Customer Service and Front Desk Operations:

• Serve as the first point of contact for walk-in individuals requesting assistance, information, or directions.
• Provide professional, courteous customer service to students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Training and Additional Duties:

• May assist in training new Communications Operators.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission of MUPD.

Why Join MUPD?

• Impactful Work: Play a critical role in enhancing campus safety through effective communication and coordination.
• Team Environment: Work closely with officers, supervisors, and university partners in a collaborative public-safety setting.
• Educational Incentives: Tuition discounted for you and your family across the UM System
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for training in public-safety communications, technology, and critical-incident coordination.

Shift

Standard Hours:

• 8-hour shifts Monday thru Friday: Days (7am-3pm), Evenings (3pm-11pm), and Midnights (11pm-7am); 12-hour shifts Weekends: Days (7am-7pm) Nights (7pm -7am).
• Overtime may be available/required for shift coverage, special events, and/or campus emergencies as needed.

Essential Personnel Requirements:

As an essential university employee, may be required to work during weekends, university holidays, campus closures, severe weather events, and other emergency situations as operational needs dictate.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least two years of experience providing comparable skills, knowledge, or abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of administrative, dispatch, or communications experience.
• Prior public-safety, 911, or law-enforcement communications background.
• Proficiency with computers, Microsoft Office, Outlook, and accurate typing.
• Ability to work varying shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $18.80 per hour- Eligible for $1.00 shift differential for evening, night shifts and weekends.

Grade: GGS 006

University Title: Safety Communications Operator.

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Deadline

Open until filled, review of applications to begin immediately.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.