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UW Police

Police Dispatcher Description

Job Description

Payroll Title: Police Dispatcher (NE S SEIU 925 Non Supv)

The new Division of Campus Community Safety (DCCS) unifies front-line public safety units across the University for a holistic approach to campus community safety, innovation in approaches, and clarity in leadership responsibility and accountability. Key units include UW Emergency Management, SafeCampus and the Seattle campus UW Police Department. Division staff work daily in partnership with units across and outside the UW system to both create safer, welcoming campus environments, prepare for potential natural or human-made disasters, and respond appropriately to incidents.

The University of Washington Police Department Overview
The University of Washington Police Department (UWPD) operates under the fundamental principles of Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence (PRIDE) in all that we do. UWPD has the exclusive responsibility to act upon law enforcement matters and perform safety, security and police services for the main campus of the University of Washington, Seattle, 24 hours a day.

Position Purpose

The Police Dispatcher/Call Receiver performs specialized and varied work in the Police Department Communications Center to include receiving and transmitting law enforcement and related public safety information. This position is responsible for answering department telephones including emergency 911 telephone calls, determining the nature of the caller’s business and dispatching police mobile units, or referring the call to the appropriate resource; prioritizing and routing emergency calls to fire, police and emergency medical services. There is often a high volume of calls, many of which involve accidents or crimes in progress.

The Dispatcher will operate radio dispatching equipment, various computer systems, and associated recording equipment. Additionally, Police Dispatcher/Call Receivers compile information and write and generate accurate reports.

The department strongly subscribes and operates under the tenants of community oriented policing and service. The Communications Center operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Bronze W with blue sky in background

Competitive candidates will possess demonstrated experience in thinking clearly and acting quickly and making correct decisions, taking charge of conversations, obtaining accurate information from callers, entering information into a computer while talking and making sound and quick decisions. Inherent to success in this position is excellent organizational skills to include multitasking while coping with numerous interruptions and remaining calm and professional in emergency situations.

This is an opportunity to join a team committed to the highest standards of professionalism and service and to work in an environment that is focused on-going employee development.

UWPD is very proud to be the only police agency in Washington that has achieved triple accreditation, CALEA, IACLEA, and WASPC.

Minimum Requirements:

High school graduation or equivalent AND two years of experience to include dispatching responsibilities and/or completion of an accredited dispatcher program

OR

Equivalent education/experience may be substituted for MQ except when there are legal requirements such as licenses/certification/registration.

Additional Requirement:

    • Strong customer service skills
    • Ability to work nights
    • Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Desired:

  • Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills to include demonstrated ability to clearly and concisely speak English and understand English Word processing/computer experience
  • Accurate keyboarding skills
  • Demonstrated ability to accurately hear and simultaneously document verbal information
  • Proven ability to exhibit patience and remain calm and professional while questioning callers for whom English may be an additional language, callers who may be verbally abusive, emotionally upset, uncooperative or frightened
  • Ability to work in a high-pressured, high security environment
  • Ability to take direction, work independently and as part of a team
  • Ability to work in a confined area, primarily seated in an office setting for extended periods of time with no outside visibility.
  • Must believe in teamwork and have strong commitment to excellence and continued improvement
  • Must be comfortable working in a law enforcement agency and able to maintain confidentiality
  • Police dispatch experience
  • Experience with emergency 911 calls
  • CAD/RMS experience
  • Current WSCJTC T1/T2, ACCESS certifications or out of state POST certification
  • Fluency in other languages (such as Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Russian)

Conditions of Employment:

  • Employees must be willing to work any shift or workweek, including mandatory overtime and holidays, as assigned.
  • Work is performed primarily seated in an office setting with no outside visibility.
  • All final applicants will be required to complete a minimum of four hours observation in the University of Washington Communication Center. This should be scheduled before taking the polygraph examination or psychological evaluation.
  • No felony convictions and no pattern of misdemeanor convictions that could compromise access to confidential records.
  • Employment is contingent upon successful completion of comprehensive background investigation, polygraph, and psychological examinations.
  • This position is located at UW Police Department in a state-of-the-art building on 15th Ave NE. Must be comfortable working in a police station environment.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Please note: It may take 2 to 4 months to successfully complete all phases of the selection process from Oral Boards to Official Offer of Employment.

Apply online at UWHIRES.

Helpful tips for locating open positions at the UWPD:

  1. Select “Seattle Campus” in the Location textbox.
  2. In the Keywords textbox, type “Police Dept” to find openings.
  3. A complete application includes:
    • Copying/pasting an updated resume into your candidate profile.
    • Completing the Criminal History Disclosure assessment.
    • Completing the US Work Authorization Assessment. Part of the application process for this position includes completing the US Work Authorization Assessment to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. The assessment will appear on your screen for you to complete as soon as you select “Apply to this Position” on this job announcement. Once you begin the assessment, it must be completed at that time. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your “My Jobs” page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until the assessment is complete.

All information submitted will be considered to determine the applicant’s qualifications for this position. Please ensure that your current email address is listed in your online candidate profile as well as in your resume. A Personal History Statement may be emailed to you early for completion.  A completed Personal History Statement will be required for those who progress to the Background Investigation Process.  Detailed information requested includes:

  • Addresses of all residences.
  • Personal and Professional References.
  • Names and addresses of family members.
  • Arrests and criminal history.
  • Traffic driving record.
  • Military service.
  • Employment history.
  • Drug use.
  • Education history.
  • Memberships in professional organizations.
  • Financial information.
  • Copies of the following documents:
  • High school diploma/GED certificate.
  • Social Security card.
  • Driver’s License.
  • Birth Certificate (Certified copy).
  • Any other documents, certificates, resumes, performance evaluation reports, etc., which show your abilities and training for the position.

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your “My Jobs” page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.