Dispatcher

Dispatcher


Posted on 7/2/2026


Accepting applications


About this position


The Safety and Security Dispatcher is a safety-sensitive position responsible for receiving and dispatching emergency and non-emergency radio and telephone traffic accurately to the campus's Safety Officers and city police. The Dispatcher monitors the College's alarm systems and surveillance cameras, maintains computerized logs of radio and telephone transactions, monitors scanners and weather radar resources for events affecting the campus community, and monitors the elevator phones.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Maintains and monitors communication with all Campus S/SO's via two-way radio and telephone.
2. Monitors college emergency telephone lines and fire, intrusion, and panic alarms throughout the campus.
3. Evaluates severity of radio transmissions and alarms and takes appropriate action in both emergency and non-emergency situations.
4. Dispatches S/SO"s to incidents, alarms for assistance and emergencies.
5. Completes Dispatch Logbook of campus events (i.e., transmissions received and alarm signals).
6. Contacts emergency services and coordinates with same in emergency situations on campus.
7. Notifies shift/assistant shift supervisor of tasks requiring his/her attention and of all emergency situations.
8. When needed, contacts senior administrative personnel in emergencies or when emergency service agencies are called to respond to campus.
9. Answers all college telephone lines (i.e., main switchboard after normal working hours), emergency lines, Safety Dispatch line, etc. using designated greeting scripts.
10. Provides general campus information to the public.
11. Answers inquiries concerning the campus Lost & Found operation/items.
12. Functions as the primary point of contact (in person or via telephone) for callers and fulfills and important public relations function as such.
13. Attends appropriate internal and/or external classes, seminars and training sessions to further develop customer service skills and knowledge.
14. Maintains strict adherence to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, FERPA and other applicable laws and regulations.
15. Contributes to the success of the department by performing all other duties as needed to drive the vision, fulfill the mission, and abide by the values of the College.

About our ideal candidate


EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE AND REQUIREMENTS

1. High School Graduate or GED, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience is necessary.
2. A minimum of one year of radio communication experience is preferred.
3. Sufficient oral and written communication skill to effectively speak with callers and prepare job-related documentation is necessary.
4. Documented work experience within a service-oriented organization is necessary; documented work experience within emergency dispatching is strongly preferred.
5. Ability to work on a rotating shift basis is necessary.
6. Successful completion of a certification course in CPR and standard First Aid preferred
7. Data entry/computer experience is strongly preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The Dispatcher is a safety-sensitive position that requires sustained attention, concentration, and the ability to accurately receive, process, prioritize, and dispatch emergency and non-emergency communications. The position is primarily performed in a communications center environment and requires extended periods of sitting while operating computers, telephones, radio systems, dispatch consoles, surveillance equipment, and other communication technologies. The employee must possess sufficient hearing acuity to clearly understand radio transmissions, telephone calls, alarms, and other auditory signals, often occurring simultaneously. The position requires frequent speaking, active listening, reading, typing, data entry, and the ability to quickly and accurately enter, retrieve, and communicate information. The employee must maintain visual acuity to monitor multiple computer screens, security cameras, and communication systems for extended periods. Occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting or carrying office materials and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds may be required. The position also requires the ability to remain alert, make sound decisions, and effectively perform essential duties during stressful, high-pressure, and emergency situations.

The Dispatcher position is designated as a safety-sensitive role due to its direct responsibility for the protection of students, employees, visitors, and campus property. This position requires constant vigilance, sound judgment, and the ability to respond effectively to emergencies and safety-related incidents utilizing the College's dispatch system. As such, employees in this role must be able to perform their duties unimpaired at all times. Active impairment, whether due to alcohol, drugs (including misuse of prescription medications), or any other substance or condition that diminishes alertness or judgment, is strictly prohibited while on duty and will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position works primarily in a secure, climate-controlled communications center within the campus safety office and serves as a critical link between the campus community, campus safety officers, and local law enforcement and emergency responders. The position requires continuous monitoring of telephones, two-way radios, surveillance systems, alarm systems, computer-aided dispatch software, and other communication technologies. The work environment is fast-paced and may involve frequent interruptions, simultaneous communications, and rapidly changing priorities.

The position may require shift work, including evenings, overnight hours, weekends, holidays, and overtime, to ensure continuous campus safety operations. Confidentiality, professionalism, and strict adherence to departmental procedures are essential due to the sensitive nature of the information handled and the critical impact of dispatch decisions on the safety of the campus community.

Must be available to work on designated special events and high-priority days as determined by campus administration. This includes but is not limited to commencement ceremonies, student move-in weekends, Mayfaire weekend, Board of Trustee meeting weeks and other major campus activities requiring heightened security presence.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Routine use of personal protective equipment is not required for this position. However, the employee may occasionally be required to use employer-provided PPE, such as disposable gloves, face coverings, high-visibility apparel, or other protective equipment when assisting with emergency operations, evacuations, public health events, or entering areas where such protection is required. The employee is expected to comply with all applicable safety procedures, OSHA regulations, and College policies regarding the use of personal protective equipment.

About us


The College's health and wellness plans along with generous paid time-off benefits are in addition to rewarding employee benefits such as the tuition grant and 403(b) plan.


The employee tuition grant is a remarkable benefit that covers the cost of 100% of the College's tuition for dependent children of faculty and staff who have been employed with the college fulltime for one year. Employees can also take advantage of the benefit for themselves.


The Defined Contribution Retirement Plan is a 403(b) plan in which the college automatically contributes 7% of the eligible employee's earnings into a retirement fund whether the employee chooses to participate or not. The account has a comprehensive investment portfolio and allows the employee to control their investment choices. At 6 years of service, the employer contribution amount is elevated to 10%. Employees can choose to participate through pre-tax payroll deductions when ready!

Florida Southern College is committed to diversity and inclusion in hiring, campus life, and intellectual engagement and welcomes applications from all interested candidates. The college actively seeks a wide variety of candidates and enthusiastically looks to diversify our workforce.

Florida Southern College has a strong commitment to the principles of equal employment opportunity. The college recruits, hires, trains, transfers, promotes and compensates individuals and makes all personnel decisions without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, marital status, veteran status, or physical or mental disability unrelated to an individual's ability to perform the job, in accordance with applicable law.

As the oldest private college in Florida, Florida Southern College is a nationally recognized liberal arts institution located in Lakeland, enrolling approximately 3,500 students across more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs. The College is known for its strong student-to-faculty ratio and its emphasis on engaged learning, providing students with hands-on experiences that prepare them for meaningful careers and lives of leadership and service. Florida Southern is home to the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and competes in NCAA Division II athletics, with a distinguished record of national championships. Consistently ranked among the top regional institutions in the South by U.S. News & World Report and recognized by The Princeton Review, Florida Southern equips students to lead lives of positive and consequential impact through dynamic, engaged learning in its iconic setting and beyond.

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