Public Safety Dispatcher/Officer

Located in Boston's historic Fenway area, Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Founded 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders, Simmons now offers Boston's only women's undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all. The university is innovating with a six-school academic structure and a high-value education proposition that delivers strong ROI for students.

About the role

The Simmons University Dispatchers/Public Safety Officers (PSO) work in a team-based environment to support the mission, goals, and objectives of Simmons University and the Public Safety Department. PSOs are non-sworn departmental members assigned to dispatcher functions.

Responsibilities

• Take emergency and routine calls for service, record details, dispatch appropriate public safety or other resources, and relay information to responding officers.
• Demonstrate working knowledge and application of all relevant Rules and Procedures, Standard Operating Procedures, and Emergency Response Protocols.
• Interact with and monitor electronic database systems including Computer Aided Dispatch, Video Insight (IP Video-based surveillance), Cameras, IPARC, Cure 9000, ARMS, Web RMV, Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS), and Workday.
• Support all University departments, particularly Residential and Student Life and Buildings and Grounds.
• Communicate with the Boston Police Department (BPD), Boston Fire Department (BFD), Boston Emergency Medical Services (BEMS), and other relevant federal, state, and local enforcement and safety agencies.
• Responsible for emergency and routine notifications to university and outside officials, including Public Safety command staff, Buildings and Grounds, Student and Residential Life, Health Center, Counseling staff, BPD, BFD, BEMS, and dispatchers at other area colleges.
• Monitor all security and life safety systems on campus to ensure proper operation and respond as needed.
• Provide shift coverage and work additional hours when needed; support campus events and other campus-wide activities.
• When called upon, patrol Simmons University residential and academic campuses to deter crime, observe and report abnormalities, suspicious activity, and facility maintenance issues.
• Assist police operations as directed; act as general public safety agents of the University, searching for and correcting hazards and violations of safety and security rules.
• Respond to calls for service.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must successfully complete a comprehensive pre-employment background investigation, medical exam, drug, and psychological testing.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPR/First Aid/AED certification and other licenses or certifications prescribed by the Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police.
• Campus Public Safety experience and APCO Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) or Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) training, or other Public Safety/Law Enforcement dispatch training.

Skills

• Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information received during duties, including criminal investigations, healthcare, and other privacy-related matters.
• Customer Service: Provide professional and excellent customer service to the Simmons University Community, visitors, callers, other agencies, and vendors; help solve problems or direct individuals to appropriate assistance.
• Adaptability: Operate in a dynamic public safety environment, adjust to changing circumstances, and respond to a variety of calls for service.
• Communication: Communicate effectively in oral and written form, including use of two-way radio, telephone, and face-to-face interactions.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Requires shift availability during the 24/7 operation of the department, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring bending, stooping, standing, kneeling, walking, light lifting of items, and climbing stairs.
• May be subjected to a work environment with confined spaces and varying outdoor weather conditions.

Pay

The hourly salary range for this position is $16.73 - $26.73.

Benefits

This is a benefits-eligible position. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills, equity, and external market benchmarks. The compensation package includes health benefits, retirement savings offerings, and work-life balance initiatives such as flexible hours and remote work opportunities. More details can be found here.