Strategic Operations Center; SOC Analyst

Position: Strategic Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
About the Work Unit:

Vanderbilt University Public Safety (VUPS) is led by the Office of the Chief of Police in the Division of Administration. VUPS is a dedicated team of over 400 professionals united by a shared commitment to fostering a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for all in the Vanderbilt community, as well as the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Organized into several specialized units, our department includes commissioned police officers, security professionals, and skilled administrative staff - all working collaboratively to uphold the highest standards of community-based policing.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

* Continuously monitor live video surveillance feeds, alarm systems, access control alerts, and LPR/ALPR notifications across campus and surrounding areas; identify and escalate suspicious activity, safety hazards, and policy violations to field personnel in real time.

* Conduct forensic video retrieval and review in support of criminal investigations, critical incidents, and administrative inquiries; preserve and document digital evidence in accordance with departmental policy and chain-of-custody requirements.

* Operate and coordinate UAS (drone) flights for aerial surveillance, search operations, event monitoring, and emergency response; ensure compliance with FAA regulations, university policies, and departmental standard operating procedures for all UAS missions.

* Monitor departmental radio traffic to maintain real-time situational awareness of active incidents, officer locations, and field conditions; relay actionable intelligence, camera observations, LPR alerts, and other time-sensitive information to field units and the Dispatch Center as appropriate.

* Initiate and disseminate mass emergency notifications to the campus community during critical incidents, including active threats, severe weather, hazardous material events, and other emergencies, using established notification platforms and protocols; coordinate messaging with university leadership, the Office of Emergency Management, and Public Affairs to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent communications.

* Perform crime analysis using available data sources, including CAD, RMS, LPR databases, and open-source intelligence (OSINT), to identify crime trends, patterns, and hotspots; produce written intelligence summaries, bulletins, and shift briefing materials for department leadership and field personnel.

* Manage and maintain SOC technology platforms, including camera systems, LPR infrastructure, radio systems, UAS equipment, and associated software; report equipment malfunctions, coordinate repairs, and recommend system enhancements to the SOC Supervisor/Manager.

* Support special events, dignitary visits, and large-scale campus activities by providing dedicated real-time monitoring, aerial surveillance, and communications coordination from the SOC; develop and execute event-specific monitoring plans in coordination with field commanders.

* Assist in the development and maintenance of SOC standard operating procedures, quick-reference guides, and training materials; support the onboarding and training of new SOC personnel as assigned.

* Maintain detailed logs of all SOC activities, incidents monitored, intelligence disseminated, and UAS flights conducted during each shift; ensure accurate and timely documentation in departmental records management systems.

* Enter, modify, and validate records in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, including missing persons, stolen vehicles, wanted persons, and protective orders; ensure all entries are accurate, timely, and compliant with CJIS policies and audit requirements.

* During periods of reduced operational tempo, conduct video review in support of the Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) and case preparation efforts; identify, compile, and export relevant video footage, still images, and supporting documentation for use in criminal prosecutions, judicial and administrative hearings, and case files.

* Monitor and manage electronic access control systems, including card readers, door alarms, and building lockdown mechanisms; respond to…