Public Safety Communications Officer I-Sr 631285
About The Position
The Public Safety Communications Officer (PSCO) is a vital member of the OSU Police Department, providing leadership and critical support through emergency and non-emergency telephone and radio dispatch services for citizens, police, fire, and ambulance personnel. The role maintains police and public safety data files to support OSU and authorized law enforcement agencies, performs administrative duties within the Public Safety Communications Unit, and operates specialized electronic equipment integral to the unit’s operations. The position works within a 24-hour operational schedule and must be able to work all shifts, any hours and days necessary to support the department’s mission, and mandatory overtime as needed. Occasional regional travel may be required for schools, seminars, or training sessions. Communications officers regularly interact with OSU students, staff, administration, off-campus agencies, community groups, businesses, parents, applicants, and others, providing and receiving information and assistance daily.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED, conferred on or before the agreed-upon start date.
- PSCO I requires no prior experience.
- PSCO II requires one year of experience in public safety communications or a closely related field.
- PSCO III requires two years of experience in public safety communications or a closely related field.
- PSCO Senior requires three years of experience in public safety communications or a closely related field, plus completion of a department-approved management training seminar.
- Post-secondary education may substitute for years of required experience.
- PSCO II: Basic APCO Certification and OLETS Teletype Certification.
- PSCO III: APCO Communication Training Officer (CTO) Certification.
- PSCO Senior: APCO Basic Instructor Certification, and either APCO CTO Instructor Certification or advanced training and development in an approved specialty area within emergency communications.
- Good physical condition, including visual acuity, excellent hearing, and physical dexterity sufficient to operate computer equipment and navigate stairs.
- Ability to lift or carry items weighing more than 15 pounds.
- Ability to work flexible shifts within a 24-hour operational schedule.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office software.
- Must be able to work all shifts.
Nice To Haves
- Vocational/technical education in Criminal Justice.
- Two years of related experience.
- APCO Basic Certification.
- OLETS Teletype Certification.
- Two years of experience working as a call taker, dispatcher, or in a similar role requiring collection of information and dispatching units with detailed information.
- Knowledge of a Computer Aided Dispatch system.
Responsibilities
- Provide emergency and non-emergency telephone and radio dispatch services for citizens, police, fire, and ambulance personnel.
- Maintain police and public safety data files supporting OSU and authorized law enforcement agencies.
- Perform administrative duties within the Public Safety Communications Unit.
- Operate specialized electronic equipment used in unit operations.
- Work any hours and days necessary to support the department’s mission, including mandatory overtime as needed.
- Interact with OSU students, staff, administration, off-campus agencies, community groups, businesses, parents, applicants, and others to provide and receive information and assistance.
- Attend schools, seminars, or training sessions when occasional regional travel is required.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
