Public Safety Telecommunicator - University Police Department

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Carnegie Mellon University’s Police Department is seeking a Public Safety Telecommunicator to receive and dispatch emergency calls and other information between the campus community and on-duty university police and security officers. The role also involves maintaining accurate records and performing office duties while managing emergency calls. The telecommunicator oversees the communications center and dispatch desk during an assigned shift, monitors alarms, university security video feeds, and outside-agency channels, and provides general university information to callers and walk-in customers. They receive requests for assistance by phone, in person, and by two-way radio, then dispatch the appropriate police officer, guard, traffic monitor, or Student EMS. They may transfer medical calls to City EMS or notify city medical, police, or fire personnel, and serve as a point of contact for shuttle and escort radio communications. The position receives emergency building-maintenance calls and notifies the appropriate departments and on-call personnel according to established protocols. During campus-wide emergencies, the telecommunicator makes notifications, coordinates communications, summons mutual aid, and prioritizes communications-center traffic. Additional duties include maintaining detailed dispatch logs and records, preparing and processing reports, monitoring campus email, and assisting with general office work. This is a full-time, hourly staff position based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The employee is designated as essential and may need to remain on duty beyond the normal shift or be available to report without prior notice because of emergencies or staffing shortages. The schedule may include evening and weekend shifts, holidays, mandated overtime, and continuation of a regular tour of duty.

Requirements

High school graduate, GED, or equivalent combination of training and experience.
Ability to obtain authorization to access FBI/NCIC criminal history information through the PA CLEAN system within 30 days of hire.
Ability to recognize the full-color spectrum.
Ability to hear and communicate using telephones and two-way radios, as well as face-to-face.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to work independently and prioritize work and emergency calls.
Proficient computer skills.
Willingness to work a flexible shift schedule, including weekend or evening shifts, holiday shifts, mandated overtime, and continuation of a regular tour of duty.
Willingness to join the Carnegie Mellon University Campus Police Association.
Ability to remain on duty beyond a normal shift or report for duty without prior notice, as an essential employee, due to emergencies or staffing shortages.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check.
Successful completion of pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.
Must be currently legally authorized to work for Carnegie Mellon University in the United States; the university will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity.

Nice To Haves

One or more years of experience as a public safety communications dispatcher in a 911 emergency operations center, police department, or emergency medical services organization.

Responsibilities

Oversee communications-center and dispatch-desk operations during an assigned shift, ensuring incoming calls and visitors are handled properly and promptly.
Monitor alarms, university security surveillance video, and outside-agency channels for calls near campus.
Provide general university information to callers and walk-in customers.
Receive requests for assistance by phone, walk-in, two-way radio, and other channels, and dispatch them to the appropriate police officer, guard, or traffic monitor.
Dispatch Student EMS to on-campus medical calls and transfer some medical calls to City EMS according to protocol.
Notify city medical, police, or fire departments as needed, and serve as the point of contact for shuttle and escort radio communications.
Receive emergency building-maintenance calls and notify appropriate departments and on-call personnel according to established protocols.
During campus-wide emergencies, make notifications, coordinate communications, summon mutual aid assistance, and prioritize communications-center traffic.
Maintain detailed and accurate logs and records of dispatch activities, including typing, distributing, and filing reports and processing requests for incident-report copies.
Monitor campus email and reply or forward messages as necessary.
Assist with general office duties.