Communications Officer

Located in Morrow, Georgia, Clayton State University is roughly 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta. The university offers employees an adaptable, collaborative environment that fosters professional and personal development.

The university is committed to having a positive impact on the State of Georgia and beyond by serving students and the community through broadening access to high-quality education and advancing workforce development. Clayton State offers multiple certificates, Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's Degree programs, which currently enroll over 5,500 students in challenging campus and online courses.

Clayton State's main campus is situated on 214 beautiful acres in a lakeside setting just minutes from downtown Atlanta, making access to the vibrant metropolitan area swift. The Atlanta-Journal Constitution has named the university a Top Workplace in Atlanta for six consecutive years. The Chronicle of Higher Education also named Clayton State one of 79 higher education institutions across the nation in its list of 2017 Great Colleges to Work For.

The Campus Police Dispatcher is a critical member of the Campus Police Department, responsible for efficiently managing emergency and non-emergency calls for service. This role requires the ability to provide quick and accurate dispatch of police officers, emergency responders, and other necessary personnel, while maintaining effective communication with university staff, students, and the general public. The dispatcher must be able to work in a fast-paced environment, exhibit professionalism, and support the safety and security of the campus community.

• Answer phones and police radios while entering information in the computer aided dispatch computer system.
• Answer and prioritize emergency and non-emergency calls, including incidents involving criminal activities, accidents, medical emergencies, and other situations.
• Provide clear and concise information to officers and first responders, ensuring they have all necessary details to respond to incidents promptly and effectively.
• Maintain detailed logs and records of all calls, dispatches, and officer actions in compliance with department and legal requirements.
• Dispatch police officers, emergency medical services, and other personnel based on the nature of the incident and its urgency.
• Monitor and track the status of police units, providing support as needed and ensuring officers are safely and efficiently responding to calls.
• Maintain continuous communication with officers on patrol, providing updates on incidents, requests for backup, or changes in the situation.
• Track status and availability of emergency service units.
• Coordinate with other university departments (e.g., facilities, housing, health services) and local agencies (e.g., fire, medical) to ensure appropriate support and resources are deployed.
• Prepare and submit reports on daily activities, incidents, unusual events, or as requested by a supervisor.
• Aid students, faculty, staff, and visitors with inquiries related to campus security, policies, or services.
• Remain calm and professional while dealing with stressful or emergency situations, ensuring the safety and well-being of the campus community.
• Issue emergency alerts using department alert systems such as sirens or mass notification systems.
• Operate NCIC/GCIC terminals in compliance with governing laws and regulations.
• Provide friendly, professional and prompt customer service at the service window, by phone and all written and electronic communication.
• Maintain relevant parking files and databases including citations, holds, and appeals.
• Conduct parking appeals meetings in the absence of or at the request of the Communications and Parking Manager.
• Assist with orientations or other parking-related details.
• Complete a minimum of 10 hours of Georgia POST approved communications officer training.
• Comply with Campus Security Authority responsibilities under the Clery Act.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Possess a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Possess a valid Georgia driver's license
• Have no felony or other disqualifying criminal convictions

• Possession of a current Georgia POST Council Basic Communications Officer certificate in good standing is preferred.
• Possession of advanced or specialized Georgia POST Council training certificates is preferred.

• Knowledge of standard police communication practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of GCIC/NCIC rules and procedures.
• Knowledge of the university properties, population, and traffic control problems.
• Knowledge of campus parking regulations and procedures.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine the proper course of action.
• Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully and with respect for the rights of others.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly under emergency conditions.
• Ability to understand and execute difficult oral and written instructions.
• Ability to express ideas clearly, orally and in writing and to prepare comprehensive records and reports.
• Ability to develop and maintain good public relations.
• Ability to meet such specific requirements as may be established by a competent authority.

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Clayton State University will have a positive impact on the State of Georgia and beyond by serving students and the community through broadening access to high-quality education and advancing workforce development. Our statement of core values is adaptability, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and people-centered. Each Clayton State University community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on Clayton State's Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct can be found online at https://www.clayton.edu/strategic-plan/mission-vision-values and https://www.clayton.edu/human-resources/current-employees/resources-policies

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation, including a criminal background check demonstrating eligibility for employment with Clayton State University, as determined by Clayton State University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Candidate must disclose potential, actual, or apparent conflicts of interest in compliance.

Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, statutes, rules, and regulations of this institution and the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of Clayton State University and the University System of Georgia (USG). Clayton State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any Clayton State University program or activity because of the individual's protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual's protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

This position may be considered a Campus Security Authority, CSA. A Campus Security Authority is a Clery-specific term that encompasses certain departments, groups, and individual employees who have a duty to report crimes they become aware of, as defined by the Clery Act.