Communications Officer

Dickinson College•Carlisle, PA

57d

About The Position

To support campus law enforcement and other public safety functions by performing activities related to processing service requests and questions; which include communications and dispatch, status monitoring, information development and communication, and records and file maintenance in a computer-aided environment. The Communications Center serves as the primary link between the public and DPS Police Officers in the field. The Communications Center is the central coordinating agency for emergency telephone calls and requests for assistance. After hours the Communications Center serves as the main information center, responsible for aiding the college community and its guests with requests for service and general inquiries. Handles emergency and non-emergency telephone calls, prioritizes calls, and channels pertinent information to officer and supervisory personnel. Makes necessary emergency notifications. Monitors and operates police and other radio systems, fire and intrusion alarm systems, and security camera systems, and dispatches officers and other emergency personnel as needed. Monitors computer terminals for messages directed to the department, information related to local criminal activity, and officer safety messages. Provides the public with assistance on complaints and informational services, lost and found property, bicycle registration, directions, and other services. Uses tact and discretion. Observes strict confidentiality rules. Directs persons to proper supervisory level as necessary. Accurately documents officer status, location and activity. Preserves accurate logs of incoming service requests and action taken and enters, updates, and recovers information from a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Preserves and updates various logs and records of activities, such as radio transmissions, telephone calls, tow requests, and equipment failure logs. Demonstrates knowledge of police terminology and procedures, Pennsylvania criminal and civil law as it pertains to police communications, campus geography, police services, and College policies and procedures. Provides assistance and information to persons registering vehicles at Public Safety and issues parking decals. Performs various tasks to ensure proper operation of equipment such as setting and resetting computer system, video display terminals, and printers. Assists with College fleet reservations and issues keys for reserved fleet vehicles. Operates alarm systems at the central monitoring station with specialized computer programs. Other duties as determined or assigned. This position is designated as "emergency response personnel". "Emergency response personnel" are required to report to work when the college is delayed or closes. "Emergency response personnel" may be called in at any time of day or night to respond to weather and/or other types of emergencies as needed.

Requirements

Knowledge of police terminology and procedures
Knowledge of Pennsylvania criminal and civil law as it pertains to police communications
Knowledge of campus geography, police services, and College policies and procedures

Responsibilities

Handles emergency and non-emergency telephone calls, prioritizes calls, and channels pertinent information to officer and supervisory personnel. Makes necessary emergency notifications.
Monitors and operates police and other radio systems, fire and intrusion alarm systems, and security camera systems, and dispatches officers and other emergency personnel as needed. Monitors computer terminals for messages directed to the department, information related to local criminal activity, and officer safety messages.
Provides the public with assistance on complaints and informational services, lost and found property, bicycle registration, directions, and other services. Uses tact and discretion. Observes strict confidentiality rules. Directs persons to proper supervisory level as necessary.
Accurately documents officer status, location and activity. Preserves accurate logs of incoming service requests and action taken and enters, updates, and recovers information from a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Preserves and updates various logs and records of activities, such as radio transmissions, telephone calls, tow requests, and equipment failure logs.
Demonstrates knowledge of police terminology and procedures, Pennsylvania criminal and civil law as it pertains to police communications, campus geography, police services, and College policies and procedures.
Provides assistance and information to persons registering vehicles at Public Safety and issues parking decals.
Performs various tasks to ensure proper operation of equipment such as setting and resetting computer system, video display terminals, and printers.
Assists with College fleet reservations and issues keys for reserved fleet vehicles.
Operates alarm systems at the central monitoring station with specialized computer programs.
Other duties as determined or assigned.