Westfield State College is hiring: Communication Dispatcher II in Westfield

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About Westfield State University:

In 1839, Westfield State University was founded on the ideals of Horace Mann who sought to improve society through education. We were the first public education institution without barrier to race, gender or economic class. The spirit of innovative thinking and social responsibility is forged in a curriculum of liberal arts and professional studies contributing to the development of knowledge, skills, and character essential for students to become responsible leaders and engaged citizens.

Westfield State is a highly residential campus with approximately 55% of our 3,100 full-time undergraduate students living on campus. The campus is ideally situated on the edge of the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts just 30 minutes from the thriving cultural centers of Springfield, Northampton, and Amherst with a selection of museums, theater, collegiate and minor league sports, hiking trails, and restaurants. The University is within 1.5 hours of Boston and Albany and within 3 hours of New York City and the Green Mountain range of Vermont.

Thank You for Your Interest in Becoming a Westfield State Community Member

You are welcome here. You can advance your career and make a difference here. We invite you to bring your whole self and talents to Westfield State University. The University seeks applicants whose record of teaching, student advising, research, and administration positions them to contribute to the everyday practice of our institutional values.

Our Values

Westfield State commits to values that strengthen a common bond among all members of our community and promotes a rich campus environment.

• Embrace Diversity - We treat all members of our community with dignity and respect.
• Maintain Excellence and Integrity - We maintain excellence and integrity in all that we do.
• Collaborate with Each Other - We make decisions in a transparent and collaborative manner.
• Provide Accessible Education - We commit to providing an accessible, affordable public higher education for all.
• Build a Strong Community - We are inclusive and ensure equity, supporting the personal development of all community members, and embracing multiple perspectives.
• Engage the Outside Community - We support civic engagement in local, regional, and global initiatives.

Job Description:

Campus Title: Communication Dispatcher II
State Job Title: Communication Dispatcher II
Department: Public Safety
Job Code: H13X21
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Funding: 7115-6001
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Timeframe: 52 Weeks
Shift: Wednesday-Sunday, 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Regular Days Off: Monday & Tuesday
Supervision Received: The Communication Dispatcher II receives direct supervision from a Staff Assistant, Lieutenant, based on shift, and may receive direction from the Assistant Director or Director of Public Safety.
Supervision Exercised: Student Dispatchers
Salary: $1,803.41 Bi-Weekly

Working Conditions:

Communication Dispatchers may be required to work varied shifts, weekends, holidays or nights; and may be subject to a standby (on call) work status. Communication Dispatcher II is designated as an Essential Employee.

General Statement of Duties:

The Communication Dispatcher II transmits messages from a radio communications base station; monitors various radio frequencies; operates radio transmitting receiving equipment; maintains records and logs calls for service on computer system; relays messages; searches computer files to obtain information; coordinates radio communications; answers telephone lines; and performs related work as required.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties include but not limited to:
Essential:

• Transmits messages from a radio communications base station in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission.
• Dispatches police and institutional security officers to calls for service and/or complaints.
• Monitors various radio frequencies to receive, evaluate and forward information.
• Operates radio transmitting and receiving equipment comprising a system of fixed stations and mobile units.
• Answers routine and emergency phone calls.
• Maintains records and logs of information on the computer database such as all messages received and transmitted.
• Checks computer files to obtain information.
• Coordinates all radio communications including emergency systems, and relays messages and instructions to mobile or fixed stations.
• Files department records and reports as required.
• Monitors and controls the University Camera System in support of police operations and daily security.
• Monitors and controls the CS Gold card reader, which reads student IDs and allows or denies residents entry into residence halls. Doors can be secured and unsecured remotely from police headquarters and are secured according to policy during emergencies (fire alarms, active shooters, etc.).
• Maintains and activates the Emergency Notification System that alerts the campus community via email, text messages and voicemail concerning on-going emergencies.
• Activates and controls the Mass Notification system that controls strobes and sirens on campus as well as the speaker system that allows for the broadcasting of public announcements in the immediate neighborhood.
• Monitors and provides the appropriate response to alarms (concerning fires, trouble alarms, ground alarms, network issues and others) activated on the Simplex alarm system touch-screen.
• Monitors Criminal Justice Information System for broadcasts from local and national police departments and the FBI.
• Monitors and responds to the UCE Emergency On-Site Notification Client that identifies the location of 911 callers and allows for party-line participation with Westfield Police and Fire in managing 911 emergencies.
• Monitors the front door of the Public Safety offices; allows entrance to authorized persons only.
• Provides training to the Public Safety Staff in all phases of dispatching procedures.
• Serves as the back-up CJIS representative for the department. Responsible for validating CJIS entries and adding new dispatchers to the system.
• Serves as a system administrator for the RAVE and RAVE Guardian Emergency Notification System. Responsible for training new system users and adding new students, faculty and staff when requested.

Non-Essential:

• Electronically submits work orders to facilitate repairs in campus buildings.
• Acts as liaison between the Resident Director on duty and the University community at large.

Requirements:

Qualifications Required at Hire:

• Ability to use proper English grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Ability to read, write and comprehend the English language.
• Ability to speak clearly and distinctly.
• Ability to give oral instructions in a precise, understandable manner.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to work accurately with names, numbers, codes and/or symbols.
• Ability to gather information through questioning individuals and by examining records and documents.
• Ability to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to deal tactfully with others.
• Ability to adjust to changing situations to meet emergency or changing program requirements.
• Ability to maintain a calm manner, make decisions and act quickly in stressful and emergency situations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.

Qualifications Acquired on Job:

• Knowledge of and skill in the operation of computer, radio and telephone equipment, camera systems, remote access software, emergency notification software and the proper procedures for their use.
• Knowledge in the standard operating procedures of the department as well as the University policies and procedures.
• Basic knowledge and certification in the procedures required by the Criminal Justice Information System board to operate the CJIS terminal.
• Knowledge of police procedures regarding criminal and tactical responses.
• Knowledge of medical procedures as they pertain to common emergency medical calls for service (i.e. allergies, overdoses, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, etc.).

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

• None

License and/or Certification Requirements:

• Must obtain a valid Criminal Justice Information Systems certification in operations of the CJIS equipment in order to retain position.
• Must have a valid Driver's License.

Additional Information:

Salary:

Salaries for current Westfield State University employees and individuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts must be calculated individually in accordance with collective bargaining agreements as well as state policies. State job specifications may be found on the Department of Higher Education's webpage .

Employee Benefits:

Benefits are an important component of an employee's total compensation package.

• Health Insurance: Westfield State offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees. Coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the date of hire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month, coverage is effective immediately.
• Retirement: the MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.
• Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.
• Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.
• Additional information regarding employee benefits is available on the University's Benefits & Wellness webpage .

Disability Accommodations

Westfield State University is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at (413) 572-8809 or visit us in the Horace Mann Building, 1st floor.

Background Check

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration.


Application Instructions:

An online application is required. A resume and cover letter may be attached but this is not required.

Deadline: Review of applications will begin November 19, 2024. The job posting will be open a minimum of ten days and, if needed, will remain open until finalist have been selected.

NOTE: If you need assistance completing your application please contact our online Help Desk . The link to the help desk can be found at the top of the page via Contact Us.
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