Police Dispatcher

University of Kentucky

Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status.

• Job Title:
  
  Police Dispatcher
• Requisition Number: RE54921
• Working Title:
  
  Communications Officer
• Department: 3HL00:
  
  UK Police
• Work Location:
  
  Lexington, KY
• Grade Level: 44
• Salary Range: $/hour
• Type of Position:
  Staff
• Position Time Status:
  Full-Time
• Shift: Rotating 12 hour shifts (7 am-7 pm, 7 pm-7 am), days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime for special events.
• Required
  
  Education:
  
  HS
• Required Related
  
  Experience:
  
  No experience required.
• Required License/Registration/Certification:
  Certification from Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training, Telecommunication Academy must be obtained within 12 months of hire.
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Must be able to sit for extended periods, view multiple computer screens without difficulty, and handle intermittent periods of high stress.
• Final date to receive applications: 07/02/2026

The University of Kentucky Police Department is seeking a Communications Officer to provide emergent and non-emergent support services to the UK community. This position reports to the Communications Manager within the Security Operations Center. The University of Kentucky Police Department prioritizes its investment of professional development and offers a competitive starting pay of $24.00/hour for Communications Officers.

The major job responsibilities for the Communications Officer include: radio monitoring, telecommunications emergency 911, records of activity, monitoring and operating CJIS (Criminal Justice Information System). Communication Officers receive and respond to a variety of emergency and non-emergency calls for services and complaints, asking questions to interpret, analyze and anticipate the caller's situation to resolve problems, provide information, dispatch emergency services, or refer callers to other agencies.

This position operates a radio console maintaining radio communications with police and security personnel to ensure proper response to citizens' complaints, calls for service, and officer safety. Communications Officers monitor and operate a multi-line telephone console system, TDD system for the deaf and hearing-impaired, an app-based student safety program, a mass notification system, as well as a control access and camera system.

This position maintains records of service and related data in a computer-aided dispatch system, and monitors, operates, and modifies information in CJIS.

If you are not already certified as a Telecommunicator in Kentucky, you will need to attend a mandatory live-in training academy at the Department of Criminal Justice Training in Richmond, KY. The academy requires that you reside at their residence halls during the week. This must be completed within one year of hire.

• Customer service
• Typing
• Quick decision making
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Accuracy
• Attention to detail
• Ability to learn and become proficient with new computer systems

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.