Police Communications Lead

University of Colorado•Colorado Springs, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Police Communications Lead position with the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) Department of Public Safety serves as an advanced professional role within the Police Communications Center. This position performs the full scope of dispatcher duties while exercising a high level of discretion, analytical skill, and operational expertise in complex and high-risk public safety situations. The Police Communications Lead functions as a subject matter expert and operational leader, providing guidance, mentoring, and professional support to dispatch staff without formal supervisory authority. This role supports operational continuity, training, quality assurance, and process improvement while working closely with the Police Communications Manager to maintain effective and compliant communications operations. 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.

Requirements

Must have experience in public safety dispatching
Must have lead-level or informal leadership experience in public safety or communications environment
Must have current NCIC/CCIC certification
Required certifications: CBI, FEMA, IS-100.C; IS-200; IS-700 B; and Notary Public

Nice To Haves

Associates or bachelor's degree in criminal justice, communications, or a related field is preferred
Experience with CJIS, CAD, NCIC, and CCIC systems is preferred
Current Communications Training Officer (CTO) certification is preferred
Highly qualified applicants will have advanced certifications in emergency communications or public safety disciplines
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform all core responsibilities of a Dispatcher, including receiving emergency and non-emergency calls, assessing and prioritizing information, dispatching appropriate public safety resources, and maintaining accurate and detailed records in the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.
Serve as a lead dispatcher and subject matter expert, providing day-to-day operational guidance and support to dispatch staff in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
Exercise independent judgment in managing complex, sensitive, or high-priority incidents requiring advanced decision-making and problem-solving skills.
Provide mentoring, coaching, and on-the-job guidance to new and experienced dispatch staff; assist in training delivery and skills development.
Assist in the development, coordination, and refinement of training programs, dispatch protocols, and operational procedures.
Participate in quality assurance activities, including review of call-handling practices, documentation accuracy, and adherence to established standards.
Provide constructive feedback and recommendations to support individual performance and continuous operational improvement.
Support scheduling and staffing coverage needs, particularly during the absence of the Police Communications Manager.
Act as a liaison between dispatch staff and management to facilitate communication, consistency, and operational continuity.
Participate in special projects, system implementations, and operational initiatives as assigned by the Police Communications Manager or designee.