Communications Officer

Department: Executive Administration

Classification: Emergency Coordinator 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 03

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

The primary purpose/objective/mission of the University Police Department is to provide a safe and secure environment for all university employees, students, and guests. Embracing the principles of community policing, the department works collaboratively with academic and administrative units, individuals, and organizations in furtherance of the mission of the university. The department delivers a comprehensive program in law enforcement to provide the highest level of safety, security, and service for the students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the university, as they pursue their daily work and study activities, consistent with the laws of the commonwealth, and the policies of the university.

The Communications Officer provides first responder services and performs a variety of communications and operational tasks in support of public safety, security and law enforcement operations, linking those in need of assistance to those who render assistance. The job is considered Essential/Designated personnel and will be required to work a variety of schedules in a 24-hour, 7 day a week configuration which includes nights, weekends, holidays, and during and following natural disasters and emergency situations.

• Provides first responder care to the public and other first responders;
• Through call taking and radio dispatching, provides protection and preservation of life, property, evidence, and the environment.;
• Triages phone calls, teletypes, and other messages from thepublic and public safety departments for emergency response;creates records in the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system and provides life-saving instructions;
• Answers radio transmissions and phone calls promptly andcompetently and provides law enforcement pre-arrival instructions and coordinates responses with fire, medical, or mental health crisis response services;
• Triages and prioritizes calls for service and job tasks according to Policies and Procedures;
• Maintains familiarity with street, building, and landmarkgeography within jurisdiction and immediately adjacentproperties.;
• Requests emergency phone pings from cell phone carriers whenlife threatening emergencies exist;
• Demonstrates advanced situational assessment skills and sound judgment, strong public and internal relations, teamwork and advanced multitasking skills;
• Performs specialized tactical-communication dispatch,monitoring and response to situations requiring it. Communicates effectively and decisively with people in great distress, harm,fear, or injury, while employing experience and training to obtainand disseminate critical information efficiently;
• Monitors and operates emergency communications equipment;
• Receive and transmit radio messages using codes and signals as required by the FCC regulations. Operates MCC-7500E radio consoleon regional radio network, in compliance with GMU and Fairfax County policies, assigning use of encrypted and non-encryptedchannels when necessary;
• Monitors and/or controls all GMUPD assigned channels, regionalinteroperability channels, and PMARS. Follows equipment outage andnotification procedures, troubleshoots technical issues as anend-user. Speaks clearly and articulately, maintaining familiarity with incident protocols and required procedures for relayingconfidential or sensitive information via radio;
• Operates multi-line phone system effectively ensuring both emergency and non-emergency calls are addressed and/or transferredwhen required;
• Operates Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Records Management System (RMS), and Mobile Data Terminal interface in accordance withcurrent department, state, and federal policies and procedures.
  
  Obtains, organizes, and enters, and retrieves a variety of datainto and from computerized data systems. Records and maintains detailed records in CAD/RMS system for each call for service.;
• Ensures call records document requests for anonymity incompliance with FOIA laws;
• Receives, processes, and documents Crime Solvers Tips acceptedvia email or phone. Advises patrol supervisor(s) of crime tips whenreceived;
• Monitor panic, burglar, door, fire and BRL security alarm systems, CCTV security systems, and headquarters building access control. Monitors and promptly interacts with systems/applications to include, but not limited to, RAVE Guardian system, Mason Alertsystem, and First Due. Dispatch response personnel in accordance with established procedures;
• Access, operate, and monitor criminal justice and otherconfidential information databases;
• Ensures…