Public Safety Dispatcher I

About the role

The Department of Public Safety at Iowa State University is seeking candidates for a Public Safety Dispatcher I position. Under general supervision, this position provides communications of a public safety nature for university police and other departments as well as surrounding law enforcement agencies and emergency response agencies utilizing multi-frequency radio, computer systems, telephone, TDD (telecommunications device for the deaf), and personal contact.

Responsibilities

• Operates a multi-frequency radio system in accordance with FCC regulations and completes a radio log and other records as required.
• Operates a multi-line telephone system providing emergency and business information.
• Maintains voice communication tapes and applicable files and manuals for reference at public safety dispatch office.
• Monitors radio traffic from surrounding local and state law enforcement agencies and relays information to patrol units.
• Dispatches duty personnel to requests for assistance or complaints.
• Receives and provides information to visitors, faculty, staff, and students.
• Notifies on-call personnel as required by departmental policy.
• Receives and relays emergency weather and road information to public safety officers and to other university departments and the university administration as required.
• Provides information to institutional public information services or outside news services on incidents and accident information as required.
• Maintains building alarms and relays information as necessary.
• Maintains computer for the state crime computer network.
• Operates computer for the state crime computer network.
• Operates a multi-line telephone system providing emergency and business information.
• May be responsible for monitoring 911 phone system.
• Monitors radio traffic from surrounding local and state law enforcement agencies and relays information to patrol units.
• Dispatches duty personnel to requests for assistance or complaints.
• Receives and provides information to visitors, faculty, staff, and students.
• Notifies on-call personnel as required by departmental policy.
• Receives and relays emergency weather and road information to public safety officers and to other university departments and the university administration as required.
• Provides information to institutional public information services or outside news services on incidents and accident information as required.
• Maintains building alarms and relays information as necessary.
• Maintains computer for the state crime computer network.
• Operates computer for the state crime computer network.
• Operates a multi-line telephone system providing emergency and business information.
• May be responsible for monitoring 911 phone system.
• Monitors radio traffic from surrounding local and state law enforcement agencies and relays information to patrol units.
• Dispatches duty personnel to requests for assistance or complaints.
• Receives and provides information to visitors, faculty, staff, and students.
• Notifies on-call personnel as required by departmental policy.
• Receives and relays emergency weather and road information to public safety officers and to other university departments and the university administration as required.
• Provides information to institutional public information services or outside news services on incidents and accident information as required.
• Maintains building alarms and relays information as necessary.
• Maintains computer for the state crime computer network.
• Operates computer for the state crime computer network.

Requirements

• Any combination of clerical education or experience and/or college or university level course work which is equivalent to two years of full-time employment.
• Public Safety experience.
• Dispatch experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to perform multiple tasks at one time and to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to enter and retrieve data from a computer terminal, PC or other keyboard device with speed and accuracy.
• Ability to communicate effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
• Skill in using equipment such as multi-frequency radio, teletype, telephone, TDD and computers.
• Skill in communicating with members of the public and departmental staff both orally and in writing.

Skills

• Knowledge of the geography of the university campus.
• Knowledge of FCC regulations and public safety dispatching procedures.
• Skill in using equipment such as multi-frequency radio, teletype, telephone, TDD, and computers.
• Skill in communicating with members of the public and departmental staff both orally and in writing.
• Ability to enter and retrieve data from a computer terminal, PC, or other keyboard device.
• Ability to communicate effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks at one time and to remain calm in stressful situations.

Benefits

Iowa State University offers comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans are also provided. Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) is available. Life insurance and long-term disability are offered. Various voluntary benefits and discounts are also available. Employee Assistance Program and Wellbeing program are included.

Pay

Pay grade 7591a. Individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

Schedule

Regular full-time position. 12 month work period.