Police Dispatcher (multiple opportunities)

University of Washington Medical Center•Seattle, WA

81d•$63,156 - $84,924•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Washington Police Department (UWPD) has an outstanding opportunity for a Police Dispatcher to join their team. This position is responsible for performing specialized and varied work in the Police Department Communications Center, including receiving and transmitting law enforcement and related public safety information. The role involves answering department telephones, including emergency 911 calls, determining caller needs, dispatching police mobile units, or referring calls to appropriate resources. It also includes prioritizing and routing emergency calls to fire, police, and emergency medical services. The position supports non-public safety functions of the university in a similar, though less emergent, capacity. UWPD is proud to be dually accredited by both the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC).

Requirements

High school graduation or equivalent
Two years of experience to include dispatching responsibilities and/or completion of an accredited dispatcher program.
Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
No felony convictions and no pattern of misdemeanor convictions that could compromise access to confidential records.

Nice To Haves

Strong customer service skills
Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills to include demonstrated ability to clearly and concisely speak English and understand English
Word processing/computer experience
Accurate keyboarding skills
Demonstrated ability to accurately hear and simultaneously document verbal information
Proven ability to exhibit professional patience and calm control while interviewing callers who may be verbally abusive, emotionally upset, uncooperative, or frightened, or for whom English may not be their first language
Ability to work in a high-pressured, high security environment
Ability to take direction, working both independently and as part of a team
Ability to work in a confined area, primarily seated in an office setting for extended periods of time with no outside visibility.
Must believe in teamwork and have strong commitment to excellence and continued improvement
Police dispatch experience
Experience with emergency 911 calls
CAD/RMS experience
Current Washington State Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification, ACCESS certifications, or out of state POST or PST certification or coursework
Fluency in other languages (such as Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Russian)

Responsibilities

Answer and process emergency and non-emergency calls for service; interviewing callers to determine call natures, supporting information, and safety elements; connecting callers with alternate departments and resources when appropriate; documenting call information in a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System. Balances multiple incoming calls for service in a trunked phone system, in addition to intakes via text-to-911 and public safety mobile application (SafeZone).
Dispatch calls for service to police personnel and alternative response resources using approved terminology and formatting; communicate criminal justice information and safety information in a clear and concise manner; maintain situational awareness of field unit operations over multiple radio channels and conduct status checks; Radio traffic controller for up to four channels while monitoring up to three additional channels.
Maintaining accurate event records; making NCIC/WACIC record entries as well as relevant modifications, queries, and confirmations; conducting notifications as requested; special projects and other duties as assigned.
Participates in training exercises and departmental activities to improve operations; Completes training required for departmental, state, and federal requirements, meeting or exceeding certification, accreditation, and legal requirements; Refresher trainings; and trainings for new technologies and processes.