Law Enforcement Dispatcher

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category:
University Staff

Employment Type:
Regular

Job Profile:
Police Dispatcher I

Job Summary:

The UW-Madison Police Department (UWPD) is hiring Law Enforcement Dispatchers. UWPD Dispatchers operate technical equipment, answer 911 calls, and coordinate police response in a 24-hour communication center to ensure safety and security on all institutional properties. They serve as the primary point of contact for students, staff, and visitors experiencing a wide range of issues, from non-emergency to emergencies, assisting them to the needed resources or information both inside and outside the institution. They assist in maintaining and updating Communication Center resources.

UW-Madison Police Department employees will support the department's vision and mission by operating in a fair, unbiased manner which respects the rights, safety and dignity of all individuals. As a department employee, your everyday actions will be guided by the department's values and be grounded in the highest ethical and professional standards. UW-Madison Police Department employees are expected to take an active role in creating and maintaining a positive, welcoming and inclusive work environment. Employees will assist or participate on an as-needed basis with the department's recruiting and hiring efforts and the onboarding of new employees in the work unit. Department employees are expected to work in partnership with the campus and area communities to provide leadership in solving community problems, preventing crime and providing a safe environment to fulfill the mission of the University.

This position requires work be performed in-person, at a designated campus work location. This position will be required to work special events or assignments as designated by the Department. Law Enforcement Dispatchers are required to work weekends, holidays, and evening or overnight hours depending on the assigned shift. Law Enforcement Dispatchers generally work 10 hour shifts with a four-day weekend every other week.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Troubleshoots, triages, and escalates issues according to established policies and procedures

• Communicates effectively and provides accurate and detailed instructions to all types of audiences in high stress emergency situations

• Schedules logistics and secures resources for response to emergency incidents for the institution

• Required to work special events or assignments as designated by the Department

• Documents incidents accurately and adheres to all applicable policies, rules, and regulations

• Operates police radios, phone consoles, and various equipment and technologies to receive and processes requests and information from institutional affiliates, law enforcement, and other public safety agencies

Department:

UW-Madison Police Department

Compensation:

$26.00 HOURLY (Minimum)
Depending on Qualifications

Night & Weekend Differential: UWPD offers a $2.50/hr night differential for all hours worked between 6:00pm - 6:00am and a $2.00/hr weekend differential for all hours worked between 12:001am - 12:00am on Saturday and Sunday. These differentials are layered, so when working a weekend night, you will receive both.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department is committed to attracting, retaining, and rewarding a highly qualified workforce by supporting competitive and equitable compensation practices through a job framework, salary structure, and clear and flexible salary administrative guidelines.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department participates in the State of Wisconsin excellent benefit program that includes the following:

• Comprehensive health insurance and prescription coverage
• Supplemental dental and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Accident coverage
• Income continuation insurance (short and long term disability)
• Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
• Coverage under the Wisconsin Retirement System (employer matching)
• 403(b) and 457(b) Supplemental Retirement Accounts
• Education Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Trainings

Generous paid leave:

• Vacation benefits that increase over time
• Nine paid legal holidays
• Paid personal holidays
• Paid sick leave
• 6 weeks Paid Parental Leave

Other Incentives:

• On duty paid workouts
• Department provided physical therapy
• Fitness room
• Financial and wellness workshops
• Group fitness activities

Required Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• This position requires a valid Wisconsin Driver's License. Candidates must meet UW Risk Management Standards and have a minimum of 2 years driving experience (can be met within 3 months of hire).
• Applicants must have effective communication skills, multi-tasking proficiencies, and the ability to make quick decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Candidates must pass the initial application screening, all steps of the hiring process, an extensive background investigation including past employment, reference checks, social media check, credit history, drug screen, and medical and psychological examination prior to beginning employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous public safety dispatch, military, or Criminal Justice experience is helpful, but not required. All other employment and/or life experience will be considered.

Education:

Required: H.S. Diploma or GED equivalent.

How to Apply:

Please click on the "Apply" button to start the application process. As part of the application process, you will be required to upload your cover letter and resume into Workday.

Eligible candidates may participate in the following steps (dates are subject to change): Phone Screen (July 8th - 14th), Assessment Center (July 29th & 30th), and Final Interview (August 10th). The tentative start date is set for October 2026.

Contact Information:

Scout Umnus

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View email address on click.appcast.io

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.


Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.


The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).


The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.