Communications Officer

Description Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 teammates, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve. Must have your General North Carolina Criminal Justice Certification to apply to this role. This position is eligible for a $15,000 commitment incentive spread over a two-year period. Summary A Police Officer at the UNC Hospital campus is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of patients, staff, visitors, and property within the hospital campus. Officers in this role will perform a variety of law enforcement duties, including patrolling the campus, responding to emergencies, and enforcing hospital policies and regulations. This role is critical in maintaining a secure and peaceful environment conducive to healthcare delivery. Responsibilities Emergency Response: Responds appropriately and in a timely manner to any emergency situations as well as activated security and panic alarms. Participates as a functioning part of the Emergency Response Team to provide or prevent access to the involved area as required in emergency situations. Maintains a working knowledge of emergency codes and UNC Hospitals Police response procedures. Conflict Resolution: Mediates and resolves conflicts or disturbances involving patients, visitors, or staff. Uses de‑escalation techniques to manage potentially volatile situations. Assists with mental health patient custody issues and also assists in arranging transportation to other facilities. Community Policing: Protects and serves hospital staff, patients and visitors. Patrols campuses and investigates complaints and violations of State laws and local ordinances using a Community Oriented Policing philosophy. Develops and implements preventative patrol techniques and performs specialized duties to deter crime and promote effective safety and security practices across campuses. Investigations and Incident Report Writing: Enters incident reports into the Police-Pak system in a complete, concise, and proper manner. Investigates and documents all incidents of a criminal nature, including follow‑up investigations. Apprehends and arrests criminals. Submits all paperwork for arrest, felony prosecution reports, and uniform citations in a timely manner. Runs criminal history checks and utilizes NCIC/DCI/CJLeads/NCAWARE. Takes custody of found items, secures them properly, and attempts to return property to its owner. Investigates lost, stolen or damaged property. Initiates risk assessments on DOC inmates, patients, and employees as required. Assists and coordinates activities of outside police agencies. Follows departmental and NC criminal justice standards for the collection and maintenance of evidence. Patrol and Surveillance: Patrols assigned areas to detect and deter criminal activity, promote an absence of crime. Documents and reports security or safety hazards. Escorts employees, patients, and visitors to parking areas. Provides after‑hours access to secured areas for authorized personnel. Collects, inventories, and secures patient property. Maintains, compiles, and transports patient commitment documents to the magistrate's office. Interacts with personnel in patrol areas and challenges all suspicious persons encountered. Serves warrants, orders, subpoenas, and all duties as assigned. Policy and Procedures/General Statutes: Maintains a familiarity with departmental policies and procedures as well as hospital policies to include the Departmental Policy Manual, the Hospital Administrative Policy Manual, Environmental, Health, and Safety Policy Manual, and Human Resources Policy Manual. Has a good working knowledge of both Federal and N.C. Criminal Statutes and applies them as required in investigations or while on patrol. Understands probable cause and Use of Force policy and applies force appropriately and reasonably. Communicates effectively and in a timely manner with all appropriate members of the Police Dept. and Hospital Community. Special Areas of Responsibility: Proactively manages specific assigned areas of responsibility including security‑sensitive area management, light surveys, airway box surveys, panic alarm inspections, access control inspections, and special events coordination. Community Engagement: Builds positive relationships with hospital staff, patients, and visitors. Provides information and assistance to enhance their sense of security and well‑being. Traffic Control: Conducts parking surveys when requested or required. Enforces applicable parking regulations and writes citations to illegally parked or unauthorized vehicles proactively. Initiates towing of vehicles as required. Other Information Education Requirements No education required as long as other position qualifications are met. Successful completion of Basic Law Enforcement Training or the equivalent. Licensure/Certification Requirements Valid North Carolina driver's license. Must have completed North Carolina's Basic Law Enforcement Training and hold at least a general certification from the NC CJETSC. Out-of-state candidates must have successfully completed a Basic Law Enforcement Training accredited by their state and must not have a break in service from their agency exceeding one year. They must complete a minimum of 56 additional training hours to be eligible for NC certification and pass the state exam. Out-of-state candidates must also successfully pass a background investigation including driving and criminal history review (no felony convictions), psychological testing, a polygraph, drug screening, and a physical examination. Must qualify with a passing score in the department's qualification course of fire with an issued duty weapon. Professional Experience Requirements Minimum of 2 years experience as a certified Law Enforcement Officer. Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements Must work a shift of duty from 5:50 AM to 5:50 PM or 5:50 PM to 5:50 AM, with shifts changed to conform to the needs of the department. Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with the public. Ability to write a computer‑generated report using a computerized form based on a short scenario; a passing score is 70 %. Ability to adhere to moral and ethical principles and possess sound moral character and honesty. Ability to work cooperatively or coordinate with others as part of a team. Ability to take initiative in activities, responsibilities or decisions and work with minimal supervision. Reliability and dependability in accuracy and honesty. Judgment and decision‑making objectively, authoritatively and wisely, especially in matters affecting action. Practice of professional character and applicability of laws, ordinances and departmental policies in a broad range of circumstances. Job Details Legal Employer: STATE Entity: UNC Medical Center Hillsborough Organization Unit: UNCH HBO Security&Courier Svs Work Type: Full Time Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00 Salary Range: $24.98 – $35.91 per hour (Hiring Range) Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity Work Assignment Type: Onsite Work Schedule: Variable Location of Job: US:NC:Hillsborough Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation. UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email View email address on click.appcast.io if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity. #J-18808-Ljbffr