Police Telecommunicator

VISA sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S

The Appalachian State University Police Department plays a vital role in supporting the University's academic mission by fostering a safe and welcoming environment where learning thrives. We work in close partnership with the campus community to prevent crime, address challenges, and enhance the overall quality of life on campus. We prioritize the safety, health, and well-being of all members of the Appalachian community - including students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Our team of state-certified police officers, security officers, and civilian employees are dedicated professionals who strive to create and maintain an inclusive sense of belonging across campus.

The Public Safety Telecommunicator plays a critical role in advancing our department's mission by serving as the central communication hub during both routine and emergency situations. This position is responsible for receiving, assessing, and relaying vital information from students, faculty, staff, the general public, University Police officers, and other law enforcement agencies. By ensuring accurate and timely communication, the Telecommunicator directly supports the safety and well-being of the University community.

The Public Safety Telecommunicator is the first line of defense in maintaining campus safety. By ensuring that critical information flows seamlessly between the public, University Police, and emergency responders, this position safeguards lives, protects property, and upholds the University's commitment to a secure learning environment. The Telecommunicator's vigilance, accuracy, and professionalism are essential to the department's ability to fulfill its mission of peace, order, and service.

High School diploma or equivalency and demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work. Requires certification as a Division of Criminal Information computer operator or the ability to achieve certification within 45 days of employment. Position may require Basic Telecommunicator Certification in accordance with the provisions of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission or the ability to achieve certification within one year of employment. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Ability to create and maintain collegial working relationships with customers and co-workers, contribute to a positive and welcoming work environment, and serve as a productive team member is expected.

Decision Making
Ability to analyze messages and information in order to determine priorities; ability to recognize critical incidents; ability to coordinate response; ability to initiate action based upon acquired information and knowledge of operating procedures. Ability to make consistently sound and accurate dispatch decisions.

Communication - Verbal
Ability to comprehend callers and quickly ascertain the nature of call. Ability to obtain and extract relevant information. Ability to interpret and analyze messages from callers. Ability to apply judgment in responding to callers. Ability to speak clearly and distinctly; ability to effectively use language and tone to calm distressed callers and to provide aid/assistance via phone until help arrives. Ability to transmit radio messages quickly and concisely. Ability to direct emergency personnel to the scene and convey relevant information to responders. Ability to interact with co-workers, supervisors, law enforcement and emergency response personnel (including those from other jurisdictions), university officials, media, and the general public to relay information and coordinate activities.

Technical Knowledge
Ability to understand and follow FCC rules and regulations applicable to work. Ability to apply considerable knowledge of departmental policies and procedures related to the answering, response, and dispatch of calls; ability to work independently while reporting to supervisor on a regular basis. Proficiency in using telecommunications and information technology. Ability to display organizational awareness and an understanding of the general operations and procedures of applicable state and local public safety organizations (including law enforcement agencies, fire and rescue, security, and other response units). Ability to display sufficient knowledge of the infrastructure to dispatch and direct efficiently within the jurisdiction. Ability to complete required in-service training and maintain certifications. May require ability to obtain Intermediate Telecommunicator certification. Ability to keep abreast of developments in telecommunications practices.

Telecommunicator's work rotating twelve hour shifts from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. (four (4) days on and four (4) days off).

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.