Communications Officer/Dispatcher

Position Summary
The mission of the Department of Public Safety is to create a safe environment for the whole LMU community and in doing so, providing the University community with timely and accurate information about crimes that occur on LMU’s campus geography, as well as the safety policies and procedures in place to ensure the safety of the campus environment. The Communications Officer (Dispatcher), working under the department’s guiding principle—to foster an environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors on our campus feel safe and respected— and reporting to the Patrol Captain, is responsible for maintaining effective and efficient communications between Departmental, University and outside Law and other Government Agencies.

As an employee of the Department of Public Safety, you will be required to work during designated days/peak periods. These days and periods, which can extend for several weeks during peak times such as summer, are critical for staffing needs and operational requirements. During these periods, employees are expected to be available for duty without the ability to request time off. Additionally, you may be called in and expected to respond during your scheduled days off, and you will receive appropriate compensation for this additional work.

This position is subject to an alternative work schedule, 4/10 shift (four, ten-hour days per week).

As an employee of the Department of Public Safety, you will be required to work during designated days/peak periods. These days and periods, which can extend for several weeks during peak times such as summer, are critical for staffing needs and operational requirements. During these periods, employees are expected to be available for duty without the ability to request time off. Additionally, you may be called in and expected to respond during your scheduled days off, and you will receive appropriate compensation for this additional work.

This position is subject to an alternative work schedule, 4/10 shift (four, ten-hour days per week).

Position Accountabilities/Responsibilities
1. Perform a variety of specialized support duties within the Public Safety Communications Center.

2. Support duties including: radio and phone communications and counter duties, field dispatching and scribing, monitoring Department and University Fire and Life Safety Notifications, Campus Emergency phone line, access control, Alert Notifications and other Telecommunications systems for the purpose of dispatching the appropriate resource, and other clerical duties.

3. Monitor Department and University Radio Communications Systems, and process campus routine and emergency incidents.

4. Answer and process emergency incidents and routine incidents for assistance, communicate clearly and effectively to a reporting party to collect critical information for officer safety awareness and timely response.

5. Dispatch Public Safety Officers to emergency and routine calls for service.

6. Appropriate resources in order to effectively respond to routine and emergency incidents.

7. Process inquiries, requests for assistance, and complaints in a courteous and efficient manner.

8. Assist in the Input, retrieval, management, and reporting on data and resources into a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System.

9. Interpret and apply various laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

10. Provide accurate information and initiate appropriate action in response to such requests.

11. Research, purge and update records if needed or when directed.

12. Must be able to report for work or work past scheduled shift, to work overtime on short or no notice, to work all shifts, to work rotating shifts, and to work weekends, holidays, closures, special events, and designated days/peak periods.

13. Perform related duties as required.

Loyola Marymount University Expectations
Exhibit behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the university. Promote and support an environment of diversity and inclusion. Communicate and employ interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct. Demonstrate a commitment to outstanding customer service.

Requisite Qualifications
• Typically, a high school diploma is required. College coursework in police science, criminology or related field is preferred or equivalent experience.  Incumbent will be expected to continue upgrading knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to keep abreast of regulation/policy change.

• Minimum two years of experience working in a higher education security, public safety agency, or law enforcement environment. Experience utilizing public safety radio communications systems is required.

• Demonstrated knowledge of compliance requirements under state and federal regulations as they pertain to gathering and disclosing data.

• Maintaining control in an emergency, using good judgment, initiative, and organizational ability. Ability to use good judgment and tact when carrying out public relations activities, e.g., giving directions, making discreet inquiries.

• Exemplary communication skills (both written and oral) evidenced by a background in preparing reports and executive summaries. 

• Foster community trust, respect, and confidence and communicate and employ interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct.   

• Initiate ideas, develop concepts and review the effectiveness of processes to ensure professional standards and high quality.  

• Work effectively and independently with internal and external constituencies.  

• Operate in an environment in which skilled relationship management and consensus-building is required to deliver successful outcomes.

• This position is deemed as Campus Security Authority (CSA) under the Jeanne Clery Act.

• This position is deemed a Mandatory Reporter by university policy.

• This position is required to wear an approved duty uniform and utility belt and to abide by a uniform and grooming standards policy.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of this position. 

Physical Demands     
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Constantly required to sit, feel, use finger movement, speak clearly, hear conversation, see near and far. Frequently required to stand and walk. Occasionally required to lift, carry and push up to 25 lbs., stoop, kneel, reach high and low, use depth perception.

Hiring Salary

$24.09 hourly. This position is non-exempt.

Salary Range

$24.09 - $30.09 Salary commensurate with education and experience.

#HERC# #HEJ#

Staff Regular

Salary range

Please note that this position may not be eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Loyola Marymount University, a Carnegie classified R2 institution in the mainstream of American Catholic higher education, seeks outstanding applicants who value its mission and share its commitment to inclusive excellence, the education of the whole person, and the building of a just society. LMU is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment as defined by federal, state and local law. We invite all persons in the full diversity of their being, life experience, and beliefs to apply. (Visit www.lmu.edu for more information.)

LMU is committed to providing equal access to employment opportunities and ensuring a comprehensive recruitment and selection process for all applicants.

Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any stage of the application, interview, or selection process may contact Human Resources at [email protected] or by phone at (310) 338-2723. Applicants who use relay services or other assistive communication technologies are welcome to utilize those services when contacting Human Resources.

When contacting Human Resources, please include the job posting number, title of the position and department for which you are applying. Applicants are not required to disclose the nature of a disability or provide medical information when requesting an accommodation during the recruitment process.

LMU will work with applicants in a timely and interactive process to identify and provide reasonable accommodations consistent with applicable federal and state law.