Public Safety Telecommunicator

State Title: Public Safety Telecommunicator

Bargaining Unit: IFPTE

Employment Type: Full-time (40 hours a week)

Internal salary: Range 16 - Steps 1-11 ($52,308.32 - $75,954.22)

External salary: Range 16 - Steps 1-4 ($52,308.32 - $59,402.09)

The internal salary range is used for applicants who are current NJ state employees with underlying classified status for promotional calculations who meet the requirements below. The external salary range is used for candidates who are not NJ state employees who meet the requirements below.

About TCNJ
Founded in 1855, TCNJ offers a highly personalized and collaborative liberal arts education with over 7,400 undergraduates and 700 graduate students. The college is consistently ranked among the top comprehensive colleges in the nation, offering small classes, a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, and an immersive living-learning experience. With a 4-year graduation rate ranked #1 in New Jersey and #9 among U.S. public institutions, TCNJ is a model for public higher education.


Position Overview:

Campus Police Services is dedicated to providing the best possible police service to the people it serves. Officers are carefully selected and receive the best possible training to help them perform their duties in a fair, honest, impartial, and professional manner. TCNJ Campus Police Services operates a 24 hour/7 days a week 9-1-1 Communication & Dispatch Public Safety Answering Service. The PST will provide support to police and emergency services and assistance to walk in customers.


Responsibilities:

Under close supervision as a trainee and productive worker, receives and responds to telephone or other electronic requests for emergency assistance including law enforcement, fire, medical, or other emergency services and/or dispatches appropriate units to response sites; does other related duties as required.

• Receives telephone or other electronic requests for emergency assistance. Learns to obtain, verify, and record location of emergency, name of caller, nature, severity, and current status of the emergency, and obtains any other appropriate information needed to secure a full assessment of the circumstances.
• Learns to operate automatic number identification (ANI), automatic location information (ALI), telecommunications devices for the deaf (TTY/TDD), or other electronic devices to obtain and verify required data.
• Maintains a reassuring, calming manner with callers to obtain required information. Persuades emergency callers to stay on the line. May dispatch nonemergency personnel or equipment.
• In nonmedical emergencies may provide precautionary instructions and advice to help ensure the personal safety of persons and/or to minimize loss of property pending arrival of fire, police, or other assistance. Refers nonemergency situations to other appropriate public or private agencies.
• Relays information or instructions to field units via radio or mobile data terminal. Learns to utilize video display terminal or computer oriented or radio equipment to receive monitor, record, summarize, and/or transmit data relating to the emergency
• Receives training in the activation of emergency alert systems such as bells, sirens, beepers, and tone-activated devices.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Learns to utilize radio, telephone, and computerized or other electronic equipment to dispatch specific law enforcement, fire, or medical assistance units to the scene of an emergency based on preestablished response plans, and seeks guidance from supervisory personnel when circumstances warrant significant deviation from preestablished response plans.
• May assist in maintaining and facilitating communication with responding units by receiving and relaying information including confidential information to authorized personnel.
• Maintains a constant update on status of emergency units in the field and of on-call personnel.

  Qualifications:

• One (1) year of experience in work involving the receiving, transmitting, and relaying of video display and/or radio messages, and in the receiving, relaying, and recording of complaints and requests for emergency assistance which shall have included the use of video display, data processing, automatic number identification, automatic location identification, switching equipment, or other computer-oriented equipment.

Required: 

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.
• Appointees to positions at Public Safety Answering Points and at some Public Safety Dispatch Points must successfully complete training and obtain certification by the Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services (OETS)
• Availability for shift work and occasional mandatory overtime including weekends and holidays
• The ability to work in an office environment and interact with computer equipment and with clients through a window
• Knowledge of methods for operating communications systems after a period of training.
• Knowledge of procedures used for emergency medical treatment after a period of training.
• Knowledge of emergency medical, fire, police, and other emergency terminology after a period of training.
• Knowledge of procedures for dispatching emergency and nonemergency equipment and personnel after a period of training.
• Knowledge of procedures used for emergency medical treatment.
• Knowledge of information required for documenting emergency situations and calls.
• Knowledge of procedures for investigating and resolving complaints.
• Ability to utilize information required for documenting emergency situations and calls. Ability to utilize security procedures involved in dissemination of information
• Ability to utilize established safety procedures and guidelines.
• Ability to utilize procedures for investigating and resolving complaints.
• Ability to operate automatic location identification, automatic number identification, and other communication equipment in a complex communications program after a period of training.
• Ability to learn the purpose and operation of various law enforcement and other information systems and the Statewide 9-1-1 Enhanced Emergency Telephone System.
• Ability to provide clear instructions and guidance to callers in emergency situations.
• Ability to relay instructions or questions accurately and clearly.
• Ability to obtain information from physically or emotionally distressed individuals.
• Ability to interact with people who are in differing situations.
• Ability to take accurate, complete messages.
• Ability to calmly and effectively interact with people in difficult situations.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Preferred: 

• Minimum of 3 years of experienced dispatching of police officers
• Working knowledge with law enforcement info systems such as NCIC, ATS, ACS, CJIS or MDT
• Ability to answer voice and TTY/TTD telephone calls received from the public after a period of training.
• Ability to operate a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system after a period of training.
• Ability to speak clearly, concisely, and in a professional manner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information received.
• Ability to learn quickly from written and oral explanations and demonstrations.

Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations in order to perform the essential functions of the position. If the requested accommodation(s) cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, the applicant may not be eligible for the position.


Employer Qualifications

Employment at TCNJ is contingent upon the successful completion of an applicable background check, reference checks, and verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States (Form I-9).

Residency Requirement: In accordance with the New Jersey First Act P.L. 2011 c.70, effective September 1, 2011, new public employees in certain positions (faculty exempt) are required to obtain New Jersey residency within one (1) year of employment. Applicants must meet the requirements listed.

Accommodation: Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview should contact View email address on click.appcast.io.

Employee Benefits
As a member of The College of New Jersey Community, you will be a part of an exciting and rewarding public college career. Eligible full-time employees will be able to take advantage of a generous benefits package that includes health, welfare, and retirement benefits, including:

• Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical, dental and prescription plans
• Generous leave entitlements program and Energy Savings Program
• Employee and dependent Tuition Waiver and Reimbursement Program
• Pension, retirement, and deferred compensation plans, group life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee affinity groups
• New Jersey State Employee Discount Program (Pet insurance, cell phone plan discounts, discounted amusement park tickets, etc.)
• Access to extensive learning opportunities

To view a comprehensive list of benefits available to employees, visit our  Health Benefits Plans and Programs page to learn more!

SAME Applicants

If you are applying under the New Jersey "SAME" program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), resume (CV), as well as the names and contact information for three professional references by the closing date listed above to: View email address on click.appcast.io. For more information on the SAME program visit their website at:  email: View email address on click.appcast.io, or call CSC at: View phone number on click.appcast.io.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should apply online and submit a letter of interest, resume (CV), as well as the names and contact information for three professional references. Applications will be considered until a viable finalist has been found.

The College is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive campus community that respects and uplifts individuals from all backgrounds. We value the varied perspectives, experiences, and talents of all members of our community and strive to create an environment where everyone has equitable access to opportunities for success. As an equal opportunity employer, we comply with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. We encourage applications from individuals whose lived experiences and professional interests align with our institutional mission of academic excellence, access, and integrity.