About the Opportunity

Job Summary

Police Dispatchers are assigned to the enhanced Communications Center to perform duties related to public safety communications, intelligence gathering, and emergency management operations. The Communication Center is the central nervous system of the police department and is staffed by Dispatch personnel 24/7. Dispatchers play a critical role linking callers in emergency and non-emergency situations to the appropriate resource in a calm, decisive, and courteous manner. Dispatchers also monitor all radio traffic, access control systems, security cameras, and fire alarms.

Responsibilities

• Receive emergency and non-emergency telephone calls
• Determine the nature, location, and priority of requests and dispatch appropriate resources in accordance with established procedure
• Enter, update, and retrieve information from a variety of computer systems
• Disseminate mass emergency notification alerts when necessary
• Monitor radio traffic, security alarms, fire alarms, and video security cameras
• Provide referral services and victim resources
• Research, collect, analyze, document, and disseminate public safety intelligence
• Undergo initial training and maintain knowledge through continuing education
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• One or more years of relevant experience
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License
• CJIS certification within six months of hire
• APCO certification within six months of hire
• Candidates must pass a criminal background check
• Candidates will be subject to a drug test and psychological exam
• Must currently possess, or must achieve within first three months; CPR (BLS/HCP) certification

Required Skills

• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and quickly synthesize information
• Ability to remain calm, stay focused, and utilize sound judgement in rapidly evolving, stressful emergency situations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong computer skills, typing skills, and ability to learn new software
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people
• Has a professional phone manner and a service mentality
• Is team and goal oriented
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• This position is an essential personnel position which requires working in a variety of situations including during holidays, weekends, day/evening/night shifts, overtime, and in a state of emergency
• Requires frequent phone-interactions with people, dealing with regular interruptions, periods of concentrated attention, handling multiple concurrent tasks, frequent deadlines, and the criticality of task success
• Required to wear department issued uniform while on duty
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time

Preferred Qualifications

• Former dispatch or law enforcement experience strongly preferred  
• Call-taking experience preferred
• Experience in a higher education setting preferred

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Base Pay Rate: