Public Safety Dispatcher - University Police

The University Police Department at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Public Safety Dispatcher.

About the Opportunity

The WVU Police Communications Safety Officer Serves as a support system to maintain the safety and security of the campus community, parents, and visitors. Maintains all inbound and outbound communications for the WVU Police Department and assists surrounding agencies. Provides Investigative, administrative, and field support to the department. 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:

• 37.5-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
  
• 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

What You'll Do

Communications Operations

• Communications Safety Officers (CSO) will 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.
  
• Communications Safety Officers will 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

• Communications Safety Officers (CSO) will 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.
  
• The Communications Safety Officer holds 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.
  
• The Communications Safety Officer is also 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).
  
• The Communications Safety Officer must also maintain communication with assisting agencies that are providing support and assistance.
  
• To effectively perform these duties the WVU Police Communications Security Officers must have 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

• Communications Safety officers are tasked with monitoring 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.
  
• Communications Safety Officers will 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 (n.i.c.e), Avtec, In-Synch, Wiser, Avigilon, Arinc, Lynx Panic Alarms, AIM, Parking Flex, 911 hang up.
  
• Monitor multiple alarm systems to include but not limited to; Job accommodations, Bursar's office, dairy farm, gamma knife, Health Sciences Center. 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 Communications Safety officers 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.
  
• Communications Safety Officers will 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.

Operate the W.E.A.P.O.N.S (West Virginia Automated Police Network System)

• Includes NCIC (National Crime Information System), NLETS (National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System), and CJIS (Criminal Justice Information System).
  
• Communications Officers conduct background checks for employment and criminal activity. Entering or cause to be entered, missing persons, stolen property, wanted persons, in a nationwide database. This system contains highly sensitive materials regulated by state and federal laws.
  
• Communications Officers are mandated to ensure the integrity of contents and access to unauthorized persons. Due to security, access to the communications center is limited; communications officers will restrict entry to authorized personnel conducting official business. Audits are conducted by state and federal agencies at random.
  
• Communications Officers must be certified by the state and re-certify every two years.
• When staffing permits, communications Safety officers will be assigned to the following duties under the supervision of the shift supervisor within specific assignment areas.

Community Service Duties and Responsibilities

• Communications Safety Officers (CSO) assist in protecting life and property within WVU Facilities and buildings as well as on-campus. They conduct foot patrols on campus and are assigned to a variety of stationary posts within our buildings.
  
• CSOs will assist with traffic details at major events and other details.
  
• CSOs will assist with crime prevention and emergency management programs.
  
• Officers observe and report malfunctioning or unsafe utility equipment, access devices, fire and life safety devices and alarms throughout campus (ex; burned out lights, faulty fire extinguishers, broken doors and broken locks).
  
• CSOs provide directions and other information to personnel, students and the general public.
  
• CSOs respond to calls for service, incidents and situations that do not require a commissioned police officer. Officers also respond to back up a police officer when requested.
  
• CSOs will be expected to exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills. In the performance of their duties, officers will communicate via radio and provide information to the public. On a daily basis, officers will write detailed, concise and accurate reports about stressful situations.
  
• CSOs are also expected to attend appropriate training classes as required.

Pay Grade: 12

Hours: shift work

• High School Diploma or GED
  
• Experience involving:
  
  
  
  
  • Dealing with the public in a high stress environment.
    
  • Ability to type.
  
  
  
  
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
  
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• 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 of 30 words per minute 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.
  
• 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 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 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 First Aid Certification with six (6) months.
  
• Red Cross or American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification within six (6) months.
  
• Field Training: CSOs will receive three weeks of on the job training. During this time, they learn physical layout of the campus as well as the specific duties of a CSO.
  
• Classroom Training: CSOs will complete a minimum of three weeks of classroom instruction to learn the University procedures, customer service skills, patrol tactics and other functions associated with the position.
  
• Certification Training: Officers receive certification in defensive tactics and CPR/AED/First Aid.
  
• Optional Certification Training: Officers have the option to receive certification training in pressure points, ground and knife defense and pepper spray.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.