PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER

To advance the college's mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.

 

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: 

Under limited supervision, promotes positive behavior and protects the welfare of students, faculty and staff.  Provides emergency and non-emergency dispatching services for Kirkwood Facilities and Public Safety operations. Interacts with students, faculty, staff, guests, emergency responders, and other community members. Provides a collaborative and educational approach in developing a safe learning community for all campus constituents. This position will work the second shift.

 

UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES: 

* Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
* Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions. 
* Champion Service- anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment. 
* Perseverance- commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success. 
* Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence. 
* Support Public Safety and Facilities operations by answering incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for service via phone, radio, walk-up window, and other electronic means.
* Operate and monitor radio communications systems to dispatch appropriate personnel, disseminate information, and communicate with staff during calls.
* Operate and monitor CCTV cameras as well as review footage during investigations.
* Operate various public safety and facilities computer software such as computer-aided dispatch (CAD), access control systems, work order software, reporting software, emergency notification systems, etc.
* Able to multi-task utilizing various computer software while simultaneously speaking on the telephone, radio, or both, ensuring all activities are logged properly.
* Contact and coordinate with emergency services as needed (Police, Fire, Ambulance, and Emergency Management).
* Conducts compliance and preventative maintenance checks on cameras, access control, and emergency notification systems on a scheduled basis.
* Assist in the processing and storing of lost and found items.
* Complete data entry of all officer activities into CAD.
* Process and route phone calls, emails, and walk-ins to the proper personnel.
* Send out emergency notifications, as directed, by public safety administration.
* Keep public safety administration informed of campus incidents as outlined in department policy.
* Prioritize multiple requests, both emergent and non-emergent, while maintaining standards of performance for the department.
* Must be able to react promptly and correctly in emergency situations.
* Assist with fleet and key operations.
* Monitor weather & road conditions.
* Shift differential- Additional hourly compensation may be provided for hours worked outside of normal business hours, which are generally considered first shift, Mon-Fri (Approximately $2.00 per hour outside the normal business hours of 6:00am-6:00pm, Mon-Fri)

 

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

* Able to represent the College in a positive manner.
* Assume responsibility; deal effectively with problems, and exercise independent judgment when making decisions.
* Establish and maintain good working relationships with students, colleagues, and the general public.
* Read, understand and express oneself clearly and effectively in both written and oral form.   
* High level of skill in the application of collaborative, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
* Ability to work effectively and accurately in an atmosphere with frequent interruptions. Maintain a high degree of flexibility.
* Self-motivated with demonstrated organizational and communication skills.
* Work independently with limited supervision. 
* Thorough knowledge of Kirkwood policies and procedures with the ability to understand and interpret clearly and accurately.
* Maintain compliance with all training, certifications, and all other job related items as assigned. 
* Possess a high degree of attention to safety and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and the general public.
* Able to remain calm and make critical decisions in high stress situations.
* Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences. 
* Ability to provide exceptional customer service, write reports and possess strong verbal and written communication skills, and proficient computer skills such as; using email, word documents, and other department computer systems. 
* Ability to work various schedules based on operational need that may include nights, weekends, afternoons, holidays, emergency call back.
* Ability to work overtime (both voluntary and mandatory) when deemed necessary by public safety administration.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned. Occasional (10-33%) standing, pushing, pulling, grasping, and exposure to less than optimal temperatures & outside weather conditions.  Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work.  Constant (67-100%) sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking and hearing.

 

Must satisfactorily complete Kirkwood's CPR/AED/First Aid, stop the bleed, OSHA, and Mental Health First Aid training.  

 

Ability to read, write, and speak fluent English. See color spectrum, and have adequate hearing. Vision must be correctable to 20/20. 

 

* High school diploma or equivalent plus two (2) years of related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
* Possess strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to write reports.
* Proficient in using computer programs and other department technology.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED: 

* CPR/AED/First Aid certified within 6 months of employment.
* Mental Health First Aid training within 6 months of employment.
* Ability to renew or add licenses or certifications when required.
* Valid Iowa Driver License with a good driving record and ability to be covered through the College's insurance.        

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

* Associates degree in in a closely related field.
* Prior dispatching or public safety related experience in a campus setting.
* Prior experience working in a higher education setting.
* Familiarity with modern security technology applications and operations.

 

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