Dispatch Manager

University of Colorado • Colorado Springs, CO

1d • $68,297 - $91,063 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Dispatch Manager position with the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) Department of Public Safety is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and day-to-day operation of the Police Communications Center. This role provides managerial oversight of a 24/7 communications operation supporting campus law enforcement and public safety services. The Dispatch Manager exercises full supervisory authority and accountability for staffing, scheduling, training, performance management, and policy implementation. This position ensures compliance with university policies, state and federal regulations, and professional standards while aligning communications operations with departmental and institutional objectives. The role requires strong leadership, operational expertise, and the ability to manage complex, high-impact public safety communications in a university environment. This position is designated as an essential employee. You may be required to “stay late” or “come in early”, as needed. You may also be required to respond to any emergencies as needed. This position requires participation in a rotating on‑call schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Maintain on-call availability outside of normal business hours to address operational, personnel, or emergency issues consistent with the responsibilities of an exempt management position in a 24/7 public safety environment.

Requirements

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, communications, management, or a related field.
• Progressively responsible experience in police or emergency communications operations.
• Must have supervisory or management experience in a 24/7 public safety or communications environment.
• Experience working with applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards related to emergency communications, records management, CJIS, NCIC, and CCIC is required.
• Must have experience supervising staff, manage performance, resolve conflicts, and make employment-related decisions.
• Experience with departmental communication, including policy development and report writing is required.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in public administration, criminal justice, emergency management, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience managing communications operations in a university setting is preferred.
• Highly qualified applicants will have experience with budgeting, resource allocation, and data-driven decision-making.
• Advanced leadership or management training or ability to obtain within a year something like APCO is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage the daily operations of the Police Communications Center, ensuring continuous 24-hour, 7-day-per-week coverage, including rotating shifts.
• Supervise all Public Safety Communication Technician staff, including hiring, onboarding, scheduling, performance evaluations, coaching, and discipline.
• Monitor workload, call volume, staffing levels, and operational flow to ensure timely, effective emergency and non-emergency response.
• Develop, implement, and enforce communications center policies, procedures, operating manuals, and production standards.
• Interpret and apply departmental, university, state, and federal policies and regulations related to police communications and records management.
• Oversee the communications training program, including approving training materials, evaluating trainee progress, and ensuring staff competency.
• Initiate and manage employee performance improvement plans, disciplinary actions, and resolution of informal grievances or complaints.
• Approve work schedules, overtime, and leave; ensure appropriate staffing coverage and budgetary accountability.
• Perform dispatch duties as needed, including answering emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatching public safety resources, and documenting activity in the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.
• Ensure proper handling, retention, and release of confidential police records in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Compile and submit Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) statistics and required state and federal reports, including submissions to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
• Oversee NCIC/CCIC validations, receipts, and criminal history background requests.
• Monitor the functionality of dispatch equipment and systems; identify maintenance, supply, or upgrade needs and coordinate corrective actions.
• Research new technologies and equipment and develop proposals to support operational improvements.
• Serve as a liaison with internal departments, external law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, and campus stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the department’s HR liaison throughout recruitment, hiring, and personnel management processes.

Benefits

• Generous Time Off : Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage : Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits : Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education : Avail twelve (12) waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More : From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager