Dispatch Officer

Gonzaga•Spokane, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Gonzaga University is seeking a calm, dependable, and service-oriented Security Communications Dispatch Officer for its Campus Security & Public Safety team. The Dispatch Officer is a first point of contact for emergencies and daily operations and supports the safety of the campus community. The position is regular full-time, on campus, with fixed daytime hours Monday through Friday, although the posting also requires availability to work various shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. The role handles emergency and non-emergency communications, dispatches officers and other services, monitors alarms and access systems, conducts video surveillance, and records dispatch activity. It also coordinates campus services with external agencies, maintains emergency contact information, and supports communication and service coordination using university systems. The position requires on-site work in a typical office setting and sustained attention to detail and problem-solving.

Requirements

Vocational, associate, or technical degree, or equivalent professional experience in lieu of the required education at a ratio of one year of experience for each year of required education.
One year of related experience.
Ability to pass a background check.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to remain calm and focused under pressure, including in emergency or high-stress situations.
Basic computer literacy, including proficiency in word processing and data entry.
Availability to work various shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in dispatch, security, or emergency services.
Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Communications, Emergency Management, or a related field.
Work experience in higher education.
Proficiency with security and surveillance technologies, including video monitoring systems and card access control.
Familiarity with Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems, radio dispatch systems, and records management software.
Bilingual or multilingual proficiency.
Knowledge of Clery Act reporting requirements and/or familiarity with campus safety policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Answer and prioritize emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatch officers, and route calls to appropriate departments.
Use proper radio protocol and multitask while coordinating service calls.
Dispatch Plant Services after regular business hours and answer University switchboard calls during closures, holidays, or coverage gaps.
Assess and triage after-hours maintenance, custodial, IT, and grounds issues at campus properties.
Notify on-call staff and campus departments about emergencies or unusual after-hours incidents.
Patch officers through to Spokane Police and Fire radio channels as requested.
Monitor fire, burglary, panic, temperature, and intrusion alarms.
Operate and monitor the Persona card access system to secure or unlock buildings, including emergency lockdowns.
Track and respond to Fire Pager and 911 calls.
Conduct real-time and post-incident video surveillance, monitor for suspicious activity, alert officers as needed, and export footage upon request by officers or law enforcement.
Log dispatch activity in Omnigo, including calls for service and daily reports, and run reports from Dispatch and Officer Modules.
Use the T2 system to locate campus affiliates and manage parking records.
Record and track lost-and-found items in the Crowdfind system.
Coordinate campus community services with external agencies, including Safe Ride, Uber Health, Detox, Spokane Police/Fire, Spokanimal, Avista, and Lutheran Services.
Maintain current emergency and non-emergency contact lists for staff, faculty, and students.
Provide access to student health information during emergencies, following appropriate protocols.
Use internal systems such as EMS and StarRez to support communication and service coordination.
Perform additional duties as assigned.