Communications Officer

Job Summary

The Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) leads all public safety functions within the university, offering an integrated approach to safety and security. DPSS combines Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint operations to provide a safe and secure environment for students, visitors, faculty, and staff.

Responsibilities

• Answer, evaluate, and prioritize emergency incoming 911 and non-emergency calls, often occurring simultaneously
• Elicit critical information from callers in various states of distress
• Dispatch police and public safety personnel from multiple departments to all University-owned and leased facilities and properties
• Maintain continuous communication with field personnel via radio systems
• Monitor, interpret, dispatch and coordinate responders to campus safety systems, including: Fire alarms and life-safety systems, Access control and intrusion alarms, Duress/panic alarms, Video surveillance systems
• Coverage of multi-unit and multi-agency responses during emergencies
• Enter, update, and retrieve data from Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) incident logging software, records systems, and law enforcement databases
• Maintain accurate documentation of all calls, incidents, radio traffic, and additional actions taken
• Provide customer service to students, faculty, staff, and visitors in a high-stress, fast-paced emergency Dispatch Center
• Support large-scale campus events and emergency operations
• Follow established policies, procedures, and protocols

Required Qualifications

• High school or GED equivalent and two (2) years of relevant experience OR Associates degree and one (1) year of relevant experience
• Be able to think quickly and act fast during emergencies while staying calm and compassionate, while gathering the right information from callers to decide the best response and put that plan into action immediately.
• Mental, visual, and auditory acuity stamina.
• Advanced typing skills for data entry.
• Pass a comprehensive public safety background investigation, drug screening, psychological evaluation, and physical examination.
• Must be in a uniformed position and required to maintain appearance and grooming standards by following the DPSS uniformed personnel dress code policy.