What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Safety Dispatcher position at St. Thomas University?
Company Description
St. Thomas University is a Catholic institution committed to fostering leadership, ethics, and academic excellence. Known for its rich cultural and international diversity, the university prioritizes the academic and professional success of its students. St. Thomas promotes a nurturing environment where students develop critical attributes such as knowledge, confidence, and ethical values. The university aims to empower individuals to create meaningful impact within their communities and the broader world.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The University Public Safety Communications Dispatcher serves as the central communications link for campus public safety and police operations. The dispatcher is responsible for receiving emergency and non-emergency calls for service, dispatching university public safety personnel, monitoring security systems, and maintaining situational awareness across campus. The incumbent is part of the Fusion Center network, coordinating the exchange of threat intelligence, suspicious activity reporting, and public safety information.
This position plays a critical role in coordinating emergency response, documenting incidents, and supporting crime reporting and safety operations to protect the university community.
Emergency Communications:
Receive and process emergency and non-emergency calls for service from the campus community.
Determine priority of calls and dispatch appropriate public safety, police, fire, or medical response.
Provide emergency call assistance and instructions when necessary.
Maintain constant communication with officers and responders during incidents.
Dispatch Operations:
Dispatch university public safety personnel using radio and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems.
Monitor officer status, assignments, and locations.
Coordinate responses with external law enforcement, fire rescue, and emergency management agencies when required.
Security Systems Monitoring:
Monitor CCTV camera systems, intrusion alarms, fire alarms, access control systems, and emergency call boxes.
Identify suspicious or criminal activity and notify responding personnel.
Maintain awareness of campus safety conditions and incidents in progress.
Incident Documentation and Reporting:
Maintain accurate call logs and incident records in CAD or records management systems.
Document calls for service, officer activities, and response actions.
Prepare Public Safety and Police Reports as warranted.
Ensure records support compliance reporting including crime statistics under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.
Emergency Notification and Campus Alerts:
Assist with activation of campus emergency notification systems when directed.
Notify Public Safety Leadership and other stakeholders as directed, regarding incidents on campus.
Support communication efforts during emergencies, severe weather, or critical incidents.
Serve as scribe, dispatcher, or ICS role during the activation of the Incident Command Post.
Operational Intelligence and Situational Awareness:
Monitor communications and security technologies to maintain campus situational awareness.
Identify potential incident trends or unusual activity and notify supervisors.
Provide real-time information to responding officers and command staff.
Customer Service:
Provide professional assistance and information to students, faculty, staff, and visitors in person and by telephone.
Assist with parking citations, parking decals, and other administrative duties as directed by superior.
Maintain calm and effective communication during high-stress situations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Prior experience in public safety dispatch, law enforcement communications, or emergency call center preferred.
Ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays, as well as serve as essential personnel during critical incidents, weather events, special events and operations.
Strong multitasking and decision-making skills in fast-paced environments.
Preferred Experience with Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems.
Experience in campus public safety or law enforcement communications.
Certification in emergency telecommunications or public safety dispatch.
Knowledge of federal campus safety reporting requirements.