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.

About this Opportunity

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).

Key Responsibilities

• 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 (SafeZone).
• 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.

Required Qualifications

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.

Minimum Qualifications

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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 high-pressured, high security environment
• Ability to take direction, working both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work in a confined area, primarily seated in an office setting for extended periods of time with no outside visibility.
• Must believe in teamwork and have strong commitment to excellence and continued improvement
• Police dispatch experience
• Experience with emergency 911 calls
• CAD/RMS experience
• Current Washington State Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification, ACCESS certifications, or out of state POST or PST certification or coursework
• Fluency in other languages (such as Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Russian)

Working Conditions

• Employees must be willing to work any shift or workweek, including mandatory overtime and holidays, as assigned.
• Work is performed primarily seated in an office setting with no outside visibility.
• All final applicants will be required to complete a minimum of two hours observation in the University of Washington Communication Center. This should be scheduled before taking the polygraph examination or psychological evaluation.
• No felony convictions and no pattern of misdemeanor convictions that could compromise access to confidential records.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of comprehensive background investigation, polygraph, and psychological examinations.
• This position is located at UW Police Department in a state-of-the-art building on 15th Ave NE.  Must be comfortable working in a police station environment.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Reapplication is permitted at any time, except for candidates disqualified for reasons of prior felony convictions or non-correctable selection. 

Please note: It may take 2 to 4 months to successfully complete all phases of the selection process from Oral Boards to Official Offer of Employment.

Be sure to check back periodically for updated recruitment information.

A complete application includes:

• Uploading your updated resume into your candidate record.
• Completing all additional Workday Recruiting tasks.

All information submitted will be considered to determine the applicant's qualifications for this position. Please ensure that your current email address is listed in your online candidate record as well as in your resume. A Personal History Statement may be emailed to you early for completion.  A completed Personal History Statement will be required for those who progress to the Background Investigation Process.  Detailed information requested includes:

• Addresses of all residences;
• Personal and Professional References;
• Names and addresses of family members;
• Arrests and criminal history;
• Traffic driving record;
• Military service;
• Employment history;
• Drug use;
• Education history;
• Memberships in professional organizations;
• Financial information;
• Copies of the following documents:
  • High school diploma/GED certificate;
  • Social Security card;
  • Driver’s License;
  • Birth Certificate (Certified copy)
• Any other documents, certificates, resumes, performance evaluation reports, etc., which show your abilities and training for the position

Testing [APPLICANTS WILL BE ASSESSED A FEE FOR TESTING]:

The Dispatcher Exam is administered through Public Safety Testing.  Results are provided to the University of Washington Police Department for decision-making. You must select University of Washington Police Department as an agency for us to access your required testing scores. 

Please note: You must successfully complete the PST Typing Test before your Dispatch Written Exam date. Failure to do so may result in a failure of the test.

What to expect at the www.publicsafetytesting.com website:

• Flexibility to schedule your test time. Tests are conducted multiple times a week, including Saturdays and offered at multiple locations
• Information on completing the required typing test
• Detailed information on how to create a testing account
• Written Exam Requirements
• PST Policies for test day
• Test-Date-Location Information (Test & Event Calendar)
• Fee structure for agency selections
• Out of state testing information

The test will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis, however, scores are important.  Scores will be automatically forwarded to the University of Washington Police Department for further decision making.  Those who attain passing scores may be invited to participate in other stages of the Department’s selection process:    

-Observation (to be scheduled)

-Oral Boards: Applicants who pass the testing phase may be invited to participate in Oral Boards (structured panel interview). 

-A minimum two-hour observation session at the UWPD Communications Center will be required of final candidates.  Candidates will be contacted directly for scheduling.

-Additional selection steps include a polygraph, background investigation and psychological evaluation.

About the Team

The Division of Campus Community Safety (DCCS) unifies front-line public safety units across the University for a holistic approach to campus community safety, innovation in approaches, and clarity in leadership responsibility and accountability. Key units include UW Emergency Management, SafeCampus and the UW Police Department Seattle campus. Division staff work daily in partnership with units across and outside the UW system to both create safer, welcoming campus environments; prepare for potential natural or human-made disasters; and respond appropriately to incidents. 

The University of Washington Police Department (UWPD) has the exclusive responsibility to act upon law-enforcement matters and perform police functions for the Seattle Campus of the University of Washington, 24 hours a day.  Watch our UW Police Video to meet us and see what it is like to work on the Seattle Campus. The UWPD 911 team is made of eight dispatchers and two leads reporting to a civilian supervisor. The team supports police and security operations on the UW Seattle campus as well as many other campus services.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$63,156.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$84,924.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

Alternate Work Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

SEIU Local 925 Nonsupervisory

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.