Police Dispatcher

Job Description

This recruitment offers a $5,000 sign-on bonus to eligible Lateral-Level Police Dispatchers, and $2,500 sign-on bonus to eligible Entry-level Police Dispatchers joining UWPD! The University of Washington Police Department (UWPD) has an outstanding opportunity for Police Dispatcher to join their team.

This recruitment offers a $5,000 sign-on bonus to eligible Lateral-Level Police Dispatchers, and $2,500 sign-on bonus to eligible Entry-level Police Dispatchers joining UWPD! The University of Washington Police Department (UWPD) has an outstanding opportunity for Police Dispatcher to join their team.

Reporting to the Communications Supervisor, the Police Dispatcher is responsible for performing specialized and varied work in the Police Department Communications Center to include receiving and transmitting law enforcement and related public safety information. This position is responsible for answering department telephones, including emergency 911 telephone calls, determining the nature of the caller’s needs and dispatching police mobile units, or referring the call to the appropriate resource;

prioritizing and routing emergency calls to fire, police and emergency medical services. There is often a high volume of calls, many of which involve accidents or crimes in progress. This position also supports some non-public safety functions of the university in a similar, though less emergent, capacity.

UWPD is proud to be dually accredited by both the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC).

• Call Taking and Processing – 40%
  • Answer and process emergency and non-emergency calls for service; interviewing callers to determine call natures, supporting information, and safety elements; connecting callers with alternate departments and resources when appropriate; documenting call information in a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System. Balances multiple incoming calls for service in a trunked phone system, in addition to intakes via text-to-911 and public safety mobile application (Safe Zone).
• Police Dispatching and Radio Communications – 40%
  • Dispatch calls for service to police personnel and alternative response resources using approved terminology and formatting; communicate criminal justice information and safety information in a clear and concise manner; maintain situational awareness of field unit operations over multiple radio channels and conduct status checks;
    Radio traffic controller for up to four channels while monitoring up to three additional channels.
• Information Management, Records, and Administrative Work – 15%
  • Maintaining accurate event records; making NCIC/WACIC record entries as well as relevant modifications, queries, and confirmations; conducting notifications as requested; special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Training and Professional Development – 5%
  • Participates in training exercises and departmental activities to improve operations;
    Completes training required for departmental, state, and federal requirements, meeting or exceeding certification, accreditation, and legal requirements;
    Refresher trainings; and trainings for new technologies and processes.

The above are listed as an estimation—frequency, duration, and additional duties will vary as the community safety needs of the day demand.

• This position performs essential services and will be required to work as scheduled during holidays, weekends, and periods of suspended campus operations.

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

• High school graduation or equivalent
• Two years of experience to include dispatching responsibilities and/or completion of an accredited dispatcher program.
• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

• Strong customer service skills
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills to include demonstrated ability to clearly and concisely speak English and understand English
• Word processing/computer experience
• Accurate keyboarding skills
• Demonstrated ability to accurately hear and simultaneously document verbal information
• Proven ability to exhibit professional patience and calm control while interviewing callers who may be verbally abusive, emotionally upset, uncooperative, or frightened, or for whom English may not be their first language
• Ability to work in a…