Communications Specialist

Communications Specialist

The Communications Specialist works as part of the Public Safety Communications Division's day-to-day operations for emergency and nonemergency police, security, and alarm system monitoring services. This role ensures effective communication between Specialists, field officers, partner agencies outside the University and Health System, and general public. This is a demanding, fast-paced position in a 24/7/365 public safety communications center. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal communication skills, an attention to detail and accuracy, an ability to work independently and cooperatively while utilizing resources to ensure continuity of daily operations, and a high regard for the safety and well-being of responders and the campus community.

Job Duties

• Receives, processes, and transmits information related to emergency and non-emergency calls for service for University Police and University Health System Security officers utilizing telephones and two-way, multi-channel radio systems in a professional, courteous, and efficient manner.
• Monitors closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera systems, alarm monitoring systems, door access systems, and panic alarm panels for activities or situations that require police or security response.
• Operates a public safety radio console in accordance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Criminal History Record Information (CHRI), and Kansas City Metropolitan Area Regional Radio System (MARRS) guidelines and procedures.
• Dispatches appropriate law enforcement and security resources to calls for service within the proper jurisdiction, utilizing a two-way, multi-channel radio system.
• Operates multiple computer workstations for the purpose of documenting calls for service, sending and receiving inter- and intra-state information related to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, and stolen vehicles, and accessing data related to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), National Law Enforcement Traffic System (NLETS), Kansas Criminal Justice Information System (KCJIS), and other law enforcement computer programs, for official purposes only while following agency, state, and federal policy.
• Maintains a detailed record and log of law enforcement and security activities and required reports, in accordance with agency, local, state, and federal policy.
• Provides external communications to University and Health System personnel, internal and external stakeholders, and the campus community and public at large related to significant campus events, including natural disasters or hostile event situations.
• Participates in internal or external training and learning opportunities to establish new concepts, reinforce best practices, or improve performance.
• Maintains all appropriate certifications related to the position.
• Maintains all department-issued equipment related to job duties or daily operations, and makes prompt, appropriate notification of equipment issue or failure.
• Drives a state-owned vehicle to transport oneself to required off-site training and other work-related locations.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Qualifications

Education: High School Diploma or GED.

• Candidate must be free of any felony or violent misdemeanor convictions.
• Hearing must be correctable to a range that allows normal radio and telephone conversations with field units.
• Vision must be correctable to a range that will allow reading and/or viewing of computer display terminals, maps, printouts, and CCTV monitoring positions.
• Candidate will be required to take and successfully pass an online-based testing battery as part of the candidate screening process, with topics including reading comprehension, listening, map reading, and typing skills. Candidate must have a corrected typing speed of at least 30 words per minute (WPM) with 90% accuracy.
• Candidate will be subject to an extensive background check, psychological examination, and drug screen.
• Candidate will be required to maintain availability to work all days and all shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, based on staffing needs.
• Within 90 days of appointment, the candidate will be required to complete the Association of Public Safety Communications Officers (APCO) Public Safety Telecommunicator course. Recertification must be maintained every two (2) years.
• Within 180 days of appointment, the candidate will be required to complete the NCIC certification. Recertification must be maintained every two (2) years.

Work Experience:

• One (1) year of experience in one of the following areas:
• A call center environment, such as an emergency communications center, alarm monitoring center, hospital switchboard, or as a telephone customer service representative.
• A law enforcement adjacent field.
• A profession that interacts heavily with the public as a daily job requirement.
• Candidate must possess a valid Kansas or Missouri Driver's License. If candidate has a valid Driver's License from another state, candidate must obtain a Kansas or Missouri Driver's License within sixty (60) days of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Certifications/Licenses:

• APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator I certification.
• NCIC and Regional Justice Information System (REJIS) certification.
• APCO Communications Training Officer certification.

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment. A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available.

Employee Type: Regular

Time Type: Full time

Rate Type: Hourly

Compensation Statement: The pay range listed for this position is determined by our compensation program using market data and salary benchmarking. A combination of factors is considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, education, experience and training, qualifications relative to the requirements of the position, and funding. At the University of Kansas Medical Center, a reasonable estimate for the starting pay range will be the minimum to midpoint of the posted range, taking into account the combination of factors listed above.

Pay Range: $22.88 - $33.17

Minimum: $22.88

Midpoint: $28.03

Maximum: $33.17