Public Safety Dispatcher - University Police Department - West Virginia University

Description

The University Police Department at West Virginia University is seeking applications for a Public Safety Dispatcher position.

About the Opportunity

The Public Safety Dispatcher works in a fast-paced and potentially stressful environment as a support system to maintain the safety and security of the campus community, parents, and visitors. This position maintains all inbound and outbound communications for the WVU Police Department and assists surrounding agencies. The Public Safety Dispatcher provides investigative, administrative, and field support to the department and provides non-emergency information services to students, faculty, staff, and the community when requested.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 40-hour work week 
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 15 annual leave (vacation) days per year, or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits (this position is a benefits-eligible non-classified staff position)
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs.

• Receive and transmit via radio, critical information with accuracy and in a timely manner to the OIC (officer in charge), field officers, and other local agencies.
• Maintain radio contact with WVU parking and transportation, facilities management, Health Sciences center and roads and grounds personnel.
• Dispatch calls for custodians, fire control, maintenance, and parking issues.
• Conduct status checks of officers as mandated by department.
• Assess risk level of information received from caller and determine units needed to respond.  Prioritizing calls received in order of precedence.
• Provide officers with pertinent information regarding descriptions of persons, vehicles, etc.) as learned and or gained by using resources available in the Communications Center or as received by caller.
• Act as a welcome service (first point of contact) to visitors, families and the campus community, providing non-emergency information including but not limited to, directions, events, parking, WVU and Mt. Lion bus schedules, PRT, building locations and services. 
• Provide alternative transportation information when normal services are not available.

Emergency Response

• Follow written protocol in activating the rapid notification systems known as E2Campus and LiveSafe. E2Campus alerts mass amounts of people and agencies with a brief message received via email/cellphone. LiveSafe is a web-based application that can use text messages, video, and voice to relay messages to the Communications Office.
• Hold the responsibility of sending an alert message to those who have an account via email or text. A call down list will also be activated upon a message being sent for E2Campus.
• Responsible for monitoring weather conditions and notifying proper authorities and or sending a weather alert message when special arrangements are in order. This becomes extremely important for roads and grounds and Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) personnel securing areas of potential danger (for example; icy sidewalks). 
• Maintain communication with assisting agencies that are providing support and assistance.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of the campus, specific operating systems.

Phone Systems, Contacts, Protocols, Procedures and Processes

• Operate a multiline telecommunications system (VoIP phone), disseminating calls to appropriate personnel, taking messages, transferring calls to the proper division.
• Provide information requested and or obtain through resources available in the Communications Center and provide proper contact.
• Update and maintain emergency contact information to include but limited to, emergency alert numbers, emergencies involving students, faculty, staff, officers, and campus community, building supervisors, alarm responses.
• Update and maintain data bases including but not limited to, In-Synch system which contains sensitive information regarding personnel, equipment, training, addresses, crimes, reports, warrants, evidence, other databases; Accident, tows, Triple III’s, arrests, incident and found property.
• Perform office duties to include but not limited to:
• Filing of reports, citations, entry of tickets in Parking Flex, handling cash and credit cards for tows and fingerprint cards, protective orders, warrants, trespassing papers, shift sheets, accident forms, waivers and sex offender registry, operate phone system, take messages, customer service, fax, email, scan, compile stat reports, conduct bi-annual incident report audits, serve as a support system for investigations, assist administration and supervisor with assigned projects.

Operating/Monitoring Cameras, Software Programs, Alarms, and Protocols

• Monitor multiple camera systems for departments throughout the campus. Retrieving video footage when an incident has occurred, accessing cameras when a suspected crime is in progress to ensure the safety of officers entering a scene, targeting known crime areas.
• Notify the proper department when there is camera failure, maintain operating functions of camera systems located in the Communications Center to include but not limited to, re-booting, checking links locally and by server, generating retention time spans, re-focusing pan camera in designated areas of need. 
• Master operations of multiple software programs to include but not limited to; CS Gold, Qognify VMS, Avtec, In-Synch, Avigilon, Lynx Panic Alarms, Parking Flex, 911 hang up.
• Monitor multiple alarm systems to include but not limited to Fire alarms, intrusion alarms and duress alarms. Notify designated contact persons of activated alarms, dispatch officers, maintenance, MECCA and or the fire department. 
• Fingerprinting through digital live-scan machine for employment purposes will be conducted by the Public Safety Dispatcher for WVU and outside agencies. 
• Redacting reports that have been court ordered to include but not limited to; fingerprint cards, photos, arrest log, electronic incident database.
• Serve as mentors to newly hired employees, assist and or train, observe and notify supervisor in areas of weakness. Assist in the hiring process serving on the interview panel.
• Function as central dispatch for all University when University Emergency Operations Center is activated and performs other related duties as assigned.

New hire will go through a 6-month training period where individual will rotate through all three shifts.   After successful completion of training, the employee will be assigned to one of the three shifts.  Schedule will be determined per operational need of selected shift and may be required to work weekends, holidays, and all shifts.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• A minimum of 0-6 months of experience dealing with the public in a high stress environment.
• Typing experience.
• Basic knowledge of computer system applications, real time control systems, radio communications and/or transportation systems operations.
• Ability to read and comprehend technical documents, such as laws, ordinances, procedures, technical manuals, training manuals, computer printouts and police reports.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate and dispatch safety equipment and personnel.
• Ability to focus on one task to the exclusion of others.
• Ability to prioritize and multitask.
• Ability to demonstrate typing skills and transcription of handwritten copy and/or simultaneous oral communications.
• Excellent short term and long-term memory.
• Ability to speak clearly and concisely.
• Ability to hear and comprehend multiple communications at one time.
• Ability to make quick, sound decisions based on predetermined criteria and available information.
• Ability to handle stress and remain calm in stressful situations.  
• Demonstrated knowledge of standard radio and telephone communications practices, both transmission and reception.
• Ability to interpret verbal and written instructions.
• Knowledge of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules, regulations, procedures, and practices.
• Ability to accomplish tasks in a controlled environment under stressful conditions.
• Ability to read and interpret maps.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, customers, and other agencies.
• Ability to use multiple keyboards at one time with skill.
• Knowledge of operational policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of supervision and training practices.
• Care of radio, telephone, video, alarm, and computer equipment.
• Print and maintain accurate records via computer systems.
• Prepare written reports and trainee evaluations; recommend training methods for this position.
• Ability to monitor and successfully react to audible intrusion, fire, or trouble alarms throughout campus.
• Ability to maintain emotional control.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.  
• Ability to display organizational /administrative skills.
• Ability to cover all shifts and work extended hours if needed.
• Ability to sit continuously for long periods in a tobacco free environment with minimal breaks.
• Ability to react immediately and precisely to sudden stimuli.

• Must pass a drug test.
• Must pass department background check to adhere to State and Government regulations.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment psychological evaluation before official hire date.
• Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) certification as outlined in Chapter 24, Article 6, and Section 5 of the State Code of West Virginia within six (6) months of hire.
• National Criminal Information System Certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Red Cross or American Heart Association First Aid Certification with six (6) months.
• Red Cross or American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification within six (6) months.
• Training: CO’s will receive a minimum of thirteen (13) weeks of on the job and in classroom training. Training will consist of in house APCO Certification, WEAPONs (NCIC) training in Charleston as well as on the job training where the employee will learn the WVU campuses and systems including specific procedures to the WVU Police department, with a focus on Customer service, call taking and law enforcement dispatching.
• Physical demands include:
  • Ability to sit, stand and walk for long periods.
  • Lift moderate weight daily.
  • Ability to withstand all types of weather when assigned field detail.
  • Average or above hearing and vision.

At West Virginia University, we leverage our talents and resources to create a better future for our state and the world. As West Virginia's land-grant university, WVU has three campuses that touch each corner of the state. The WVU System includes 518 buildings on 15,880 acres, Extension Service offices in all 55 counties, ten experimental farms and four forests. 
 
From the groundbreaking R1 research of our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs of WVU Potomac State in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley — the contributions of WVU employees directly impact the 1.8 million people of West Virginia every day, no matter their role or position. 

Service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation are the core values that unite Mountaineers, inspiring one another to work tirelessly and support others as they seek to reach new heights. After all, when you're a Mountaineer, impossible is just another mountain to climb.
 
Creating an inclusive, engaged, and dynamic learning environment is core to WVU’s academic mission. We welcome candidates who can contribute a range of ideas, approaches and experiences.

To learn more about West Virginia University, visit go.wvu.edu. View current career opportunities at careers.wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.

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