Job Summary

The primary duties of the Public Safety Dispatcher are to assure an efficient coordinated communication service to/for the Drexel University Department of Public Safety Communications Center (DUPSCC), the University community, and local law enforcement agencies. Personnel in this position are considered "essential" in that they support a 24 hour, 7 day per week communication center operation.

Shifts are ran on 12 hour increments, including weekends and holidays

This position reports to the Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor.

Essential Functions

• Receives non-emergency and emergency requests (including 911 calls) for police/fire protection, medical, or emergency services; and obtains relevant information and inputs data, evaluates and prioritizes calls for service and dispatches appropriate personnel and equipment.
• Using a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system, monitors and updates public safety and police unit location and status in order to coordinate emergency field operations; provides backup support and information as necessary by operating a two-way radio; requests additional assistance from other agencies as necessary; and obtains computerized law enforcement information from local, state, and federal data banks through a telecommunications terminal.
• Performs data entry, maintains files and reference manuals; and performs other clerical duties.
• Monitor and operate emergency alarms, CCTV, access control and security systems (received via various means), making immediate contact with the appropriate agency/personnel.
• Provide liaison service to the Drexel area communities and other public service agencies.
• Monitors and arranges for maintenance of all Dispatch Center equipment, including all radios
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• 6 months experience working in Dispatching, Customer Service experience or comparable Public Safety experience, skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
• Excellent communication skills required. Candidates must have the ability to speak, listen, and write in a professional manner.
• Familiar with Microsoft Windows applications.
• Remain calm during stressful situations and handle multiple tasks at one time.
• The ability to work shift work, holidays, and work mandated overtime when required.
• Candidates must submit to and satisfactorily pass a physical examination which includes drug and alcohol screening & psychological evaluation to determine suitability for this position.
• Candidates must agree to and satisfactorily pass (to be truthful, clear of, clean, and found not to have been convicted of any state or local laws) comprehensive background checks. The background checks will include: education verification, past work history reference checks, and a criminal records check. Criminal background checks will be conducted annually.
• Confidentiality statement: All candidates must sign a confidentiality statement relating to the disclosure / safekeeping of sensitive University information, student records, faculty records, staff records and all information deemed confidential by the Department of Public Safety and Drexel University.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision.
• Candidates are required to have a working cellular device capable of receiving SMS notifications or the ability to install applications used for necessary system security access prior to start date.

Selection and Hiring Process:

1. The Drexel University Department of Human Resources and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) personnel develop a fully qualified list.
2. Pre-employment testing, candidates must meet satisfactory requirements.
3. Pre-employment interview(s) with DPS and other university representatives.
4. Comprehensive background investigation.
5. Conditional job offers (requires successful completion of physical examination which includes drug and alcohol screening & psychological evaluation to determine suitability for this position).
6. Candidates selected for employment are scheduled for orientation and in-service training.

Background investigations are required for all new hires as a condition of employment, after the job offer is made. Employment may not begin until the University accepts the results of the background investigations.

Preferred Qualifications

• College Education

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table

Location

• University City – Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information

This position is classified as Non-Exempt, grade G. Compensation for this grade ranges from $15.58 - $23.37 per hour. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review. 

We encourage you to explore Drexel's Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on our compensation framework.

You can also find valuable information about our benefits in the Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.