Communications Officer

UO HR Website•Eugene, OR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Communications Officer provides direct operational support to the University’s Police, Environmental Health & Safety, Fire Marshal, and Emergency Management units, as well as off-hours support for Campus Planning and Facilities Management and Dean of Student response staff in their mission to protect the campus community. They provide an essential communication link by evaluating incoming calls and routing them to the appropriate agency 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. This role is vital in the success of ensuring emergency staff on the UO campus are apprised of and able to respond to emergencies in real time. Communications Officers also provide general information to the public via phone regarding university safety, security, and facilities programs and services. UOPD Communications Officers routinely operate and monitor various alarms, confidential law enforcement databases, emergency notification applications, surveillance devices, and two-way communications systems within the UO Integrated Operations Center (IOC). Communications Officers frequently work with external emergency responders through Lane Central 911 to facilitate service requests for critical life safety incidents and emergencies. Communication Officers will certify as a Basic Telecommunicator through DPSST. UOPD Communications Officers may be assigned to provide unique functions and/or be attached to special units such as: Field-based/tactical communications roles to support large campus events and/or special operations. Maintenance and updating of notification lists and protocols to ensure call down records are accurate for all university campuses and locations. Testing and exercising of the emergency notification procedures and systems to ensure they are accurate and ready. Records and court services to support administration of related functions. Community Engagement programs. This position consistently interfaces with Police Officers, Community Service Officers, Security Officers, campus partners and external constituencies using multiple communication devices. The person in this position works in a fast-paced and potentially stressful environment. UOPD Communications Officers must be able to maintain composure and professional presence while accurately gathering and giving critical information to first responders, campus leaders and the public. This position may be required to work weekends, holidays, and all shifts (Day, Swing, and Graveyard).

Requirements

High School diploma or GED
One year of experience working with the public (examples include, but are not limited to, customer service work, sales, information or reception, food service, or other positions that involve direct work with the general public)
Experience using computers for typical work tasks, such as: entering data into spreadsheets, document generation, etc.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, within three months of appointment, Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) certification, advanced First Aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification.
Ability to read, write, and speak clearly and concisely enough to understand what is being communicated and how to properly document their work effectively.
Able to follow both written and verbal directions and university administrative policies, procedures and guidelines.
Able to prioritize and multi-task effectively in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.
Must be able to maintain composure and work effectively in stressful situations.
Must be able to work effectively and in a professional and respectful manner when interacting with diverse members of the public.
Ability to provide excellent customer service while adhering to rules, regulations, and safety guidelines.
Must be able to successfully pass a full background assessment to include a personal history, criminal history, and psychological evaluation and DPSST (F2a) medical examination
Meet and maintain all CJIS background requirements
Must adhere to Clery Act, FERPA, mandatory reporting and Title IX reporting responsibilities
Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality at all times, under all circumstances
Must complete a Communications Training Officer Program (CTO) within 6 months of hire.
Must complete and pass the written and/or video skills assessment to move forward in the selection process

Nice To Haves

One year of full-time work as a law enforcement dispatcher with a law enforcement agency, independently performing the full range of duties call taking, radio dispatching duties within the last 5 years.
One or more years of experience full time work for a higher education agency, independently performing the full range of call taking and radio dispatching duties.
DPSST Basic Telecommunicator certification.

Responsibilities

Provides direct operational support to the University’s Police, Environmental Health & Safety, Fire Marshal, and Emergency Management units.
Provides off-hours support for Campus Planning and Facilities Management and Dean of Student response staff.
Evaluates incoming calls and routes them to the appropriate agency 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
Provides general information to the public via phone regarding university safety, security, and facilities programs and services.
Operates and monitors various alarms, confidential law enforcement databases, emergency notification applications, surveillance devices, and two-way communications systems within the UO Integrated Operations Center (IOC).
Works with external emergency responders through Lane Central 911 to facilitate service requests for critical life safety incidents and emergencies.
May be assigned to provide unique functions and/or be attached to special units such as: Field-based/tactical communications roles, maintenance and updating of notification lists and protocols, testing and exercising of emergency notification procedures and systems, records and court services, and Community Engagement programs.
Interfaces with Police Officers, Community Service Officers, Security Officers, campus partners and external constituencies using multiple communication devices.
Maintains composure and professional presence while accurately gathering and giving critical information to first responders, campus leaders and the public.