Police Dispatcher

Northeastern University•Boston, MA

16h

About The Position

Police Dispatchers work in the enhanced Communications Center, supporting public safety communications, intelligence gathering, and emergency management operations. The Communications Center is staffed 24/7 and serves as a central link between people making emergency or non-emergency requests and the appropriate resources. Dispatchers are expected to respond calmly, decisively, and courteously. They also monitor radio traffic, access control systems, security cameras, and fire alarms. This essential personnel position may involve working holidays, weekends, day, evening, or night shifts, overtime, and during a state of emergency. The role involves frequent phone interactions, regular interruptions, periods of concentrated attention, managing multiple concurrent tasks and deadlines, and wearing a department-issued uniform while on duty. Employees must be able to sit or stand for extended periods.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
One or more years of relevant experience.
Valid U.S. Driver’s License.
Obtain CJIS certification within six months of hire.
Obtain APCO certification within six months of hire.
Pass a criminal background check.
Submit to a drug test and psychological exam.
Possess CPR (BLS/HCP) certification or achieve it within the first three months.
Ability to multitask, prioritize, and quickly synthesize information.
Ability to remain calm, focused, and use sound judgment in rapidly evolving, stressful emergency situations.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong computer and typing skills, and ability to learn new software.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people.
Professional phone manner and a service mentality.
Team- and goal-oriented.
Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
Ability to work holidays, weekends, day/evening/night shifts, overtime, and during a state of emergency.

Nice To Haves

Former dispatch or law enforcement experience is strongly preferred.
Call-taking experience preferred.
Experience in a higher education setting preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive emergency and non-emergency telephone calls.
Determine the nature, location, and priority of requests and dispatch appropriate resources according to established procedures.
Enter, update, and retrieve information from a variety of computer systems.
Disseminate mass emergency notification alerts when necessary.
Monitor radio traffic, security alarms, fire alarms, and video security cameras.
Provide referral services and victim resources.
Research, collect, analyze, document, and disseminate public safety intelligence.
Complete initial training and maintain knowledge through continuing education.
Perform other duties as assigned.