Public Safety Dispatcher

Public Safety Dispatcher

Posting #: 5651

Position Status: Full-time regular

Location: San Diego

Position Type: Staff, Public Safety

Position Title & Department:

Public Safety Dispatcher; Public Safety

Posting #
5651

Department Description:The Department of Public Safety supports the mission and goals of the University of San Diego by providing a full range of crime prevention and crime control services to contribute to the safety and security of the campus community. Our Public Safety Officers are responsible for a wide range of activities, including developing crime prevention programs, taking crime and accident reports, initiating investigations, responding to medical and fire emergencies, providing traffic control, and enforcing certain local and state laws, as well as rules developed by the University to address campus-related concerns.

University Description:
The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity's urgent challenges.

Detailed Description:
The dispatcher is generally the first point of contact for the campus community, faculty, staff, students, guests, and visitors needing information or assistance from Public Safety. The dispatcher is responsible for maintaining effective and efficient communications between public safety officers, kiosk officers, outside emergency and law enforcement agencies, the university community, and visiting public. They are responsible for answering and dispatching public safety officers to emergency and non-emergency calls for service and performing various technical tasks operating technically advanced and complex alarm computer systems, video surveillance systems, and mobile radio systems. They use a computer-aided dispatch system (CAD) to input, retrieve and generate reports. The dispatcher must demonstrate good judgment and discretion in stressful situations; use independent judgment for problem-solving and is expected to analyze situations, prioritize quickly, and make decisions immediately when dealing with emergencies and general calls for service. In addition to handling emergency, non-emergency, and informational requests for the department, dispatchers assist the campus community and visitors with requests for service and general information.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Answer and screen incoming emergency and non-emergency public safety calls for service to elicit and record pertinent information; dispatch calls for service, critical incidents, and emergency calls; coordinate calls for outside emergency and law enforcement agency assistance.
• Day-to-day assignments performed require regular use of judgment and discretion, essential to set priorities, assess the importance of information, and react quickly and effectively, following established protocols and procedures in most instances. Incumbents are accountable for actions taken.
• Contacting on-call counselors, CARE advocates, medical providers, facilities department, university administrators, and allied agencies following established procedures; and at the request of officers when responding to an incident and in need of field support.
• Maintain radio contact with public safety personnel on assignment and keep supervisors and officers informed of current situations while monitoring campus alarm and video systems as well as monitoring public safety radio frequencies of the surrounding community for any activity that would impact the university's safety and security.
• Utilize alarms, cameras, university records (Cognos and CSGold), door access, and parking computer systems to maintain and retrieve data in CAD following established procedures; and at the request of officers when responding to an incident and in need of field support.
• Monitor and review live and recorded camera system for safety and security concerns, that include but are not limited to: high-risk areas, restricted access areas, response to alarms or suspicious behaviors, and special events; conducting follow-up and investigative review of the camera and door access systems related to open cases at the officer's request.
• Coordinate with appropriate Residential Life staff on calls for service regarding student conduct and wellness, providing communication between departments, and ensuring the students involved have access to support and campus resources.
• Assist with remote Unlocks/Lock Ups in the door access system following established procedures to ensure the safety and security of the campus community and property.
• Assist the campus community or visitors at the walkup window with requests for service and general information.
• Activate mass emergency notification, and campus lockdown or evacuation, when directed or required by Standard Operating Procedure. Act as liaison between Emergency Operation Center and Dispatch when posted at the incident Command Center.
• Process, respond, and document Records Requests for outside agencies performing background checks on former USD staff and students
• Process lost and found items turned into public safety by receiving, documenting, and entering the item information into a computer database and responding to inquiries about lost and found items.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to work flexible hours including all rotating shift assignments, nights, weekends, and holidays; available for on-call assignments and overtime as needed.

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement : Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.


Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Graduate or GED.
• Two years of experience as a law enforcement dispatcher, telephone operator, or equivalent; or two years of clerical experience or customer service involving public contact preferred. OR
• An equivalent combination of related business and police science education and progressively responsible work experience.
• Successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and medical exam.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrate and maintain good judgment with the ability to independently respond and act quickly, accurately evaluate information and situations, and make appropriate decisions in routine, non-routine, and emergencies.
• Ability to maintain self-control, poise, composure, and concentration while working in a fast-paced multi-tasking environment with numerous interruptions and noise; must be able to remain calm, think clearly, and use sound judgment when working with high-pressure and stressful emergencies.
• Knowledge of generally accepted office procedures, practices, and work methods, including strong record-keeping and prioritization skills; ability to type and operate general office and computerized equipment; ability to read, write, and spell at a level sufficient for satisfactory job performance.
• Possess excellent communication skills; speak clearly and concisely, follow oral and written instructions, transfer information accurately, and handle a wide range of interpersonal interactions effectively.
• Ability to learn standard broadcasting procedures, Federal Communications Commission rules regarding law enforcement radio transmission, and the 10-code system.
• Ability to learn and operate technical security systems, perform basic technical troubleshooting, and coordinate repairs on equipment as needed.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and interact with all members of the campus community and the public.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to comply with all departmental uniform and equipment standards.

Posting Salary:
$23.85-23.86 per hour; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer. USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Special Application Instructions:
Resume Required, Cover Letter Preferred

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application and, for full consideration, please upload a resume to your application profile for the hiring managers' review. You are also strongly recommended to upload a cover letter to your application profile for the hiring managers' review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Additional Details:
Hours: 40 hours per week

Closing date: Open until filled


Note : External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit

Advertised: July 15, 2026 Pacific Daylight Time

Applications close:


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