Strategic Operations Center; SOC Analyst

Job Title

Vanderbilt University Public Safety (VUPS) is seeking a dedicated team member for a role within their Security Operations Center (SOC). This position plays a critical role in maintaining a safe and secure environment for the Vanderbilt community and the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

The successful candidate will:

• 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 door-held-open and forced-entry alarms, coordinate remote locking and unlocking of facilities; and execute building lockdown procedures during emergency situations as directed.
• Receive, triage, and coordinate responses to fire, panic, duress, intrusion, and burglar alarms; verify alarm conditions using available camera and access control systems and notify the Dispatch Center for appropriate officer response in accordance with departmental protocols.
• Create, distribute, and track Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alerts across shifts and coordinate BOLO dissemination with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and surrounding law enforcement agencies; configure and monitor LPR/ALPR alerts for BOLO-associated vehicles and notify field units upon positive hits.
• Monitor social media platforms, news outlets, and open-source channels for potential threats to campus safety, emerging security concerns, planned demonstrations, and other activities that may impact university operations; compile and relay relevant findings to command staff and field personnel for appropriate action.
• Monitor and respond to incoming tips, safety reports, and…