Department   Public Safety
Category   Public Safety, Security, and Emergency Services
Full-Time / Part-Time   Full-Time
Work Schedule   Must be able to work on all shifts (standard work week is 40 hours, standard shifts are 8, 10 or 12 hours), during various hours, including weekends and holidays. Overtime is mandatory.
Application Deadline   10/16/2020

OVERVIEW

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the primary department charged with creating a safe and secure environment at Princeton University. DPS operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is comprised of 120 staff members.   The department consists of professional University police, security officers, dispatchers and administrators dedicated to providing best-in-class service to the community. DPS was awarded Law Enforcement Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in July 2015. CALEA serves as the “International Gold Standard for Public Safety Agencies” and oversees a rigorous accreditation process.  DPS dispatchers serve as the first point of contact for community members who are seeking assistance with their emergency, non-emergency and service request calls.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The dispatchers receive calls, monitor several radio frequencies and monitor intrusion and fire alarms in a fast, courteous, accurate and efficient manner. After receiving a call the dispatcher must establish the nature and location of call(s), determine its priority, and dispatch the appropriate patrol unit, university support team and/or emergency services as necessary.

Dispatchers maintain contact with all units in service by accurately tracking, monitoring, and documenting officer activities during their shift. They operate Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) console equipped with multiple computer terminals, including 911 call handling, geographic information system (GIS) mapping, camera systems and a radio console with multiple radio channels to dispatch public safety.

The dispatcher must be familiar with operations and call transfer protocols of the two Mercer County Emergency Services Support Agencies, both Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Dispatch and The County Emergency Services Support Agencies of the contiguous County's Emergency Service Dispatch, Middlesex County.

The Communications Center operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and responds to over 100,000 calls for service and CAD dispatches per year and more than 30,000 emergency and non-emergency phone calls annually. In addition, they provide assistance to walk-up customers and provide general University information about the campus. The successful candidate is a service oriented team player committed to cultivating relationships with and assisting members of the Princeton University community. 

WORK HOURS

The Department of Public Safety is a 24/7, 365 day operation. Must be able to work on all shifts (standard work week is 40 hours, standard shifts are 8, 10 or 12 hours), during various hours, including weekends and holidays. Overtime is mandatory.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to work on all shifts (standard work week is 40 hours, standard shifts are 8, 10 or 12 hours), during various hours, including weekends and holidays. Overtime is mandatory.
• Three years dispatching in a medium volume Public Safety Dispatch service center.
• Hold a current Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certificate or be able to obtain one within 3 months from date of hire.
• Hold a current Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) card or be able to obtain one within three months from date of hire.
• Hold an Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) or National Emergency Communications Institute (NECI) Emergency Communications Officer certification.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn operations of the Campus Wide CCURE Alarm reporting system.
• Knowledge of and operations of a conventional radio system.
• Able to remain seated for long periods of time at a console.
• Must have 20-20 or 20-30 vision either naturally or with corrective lenses; must see well enough to read standard text and data on a computer screen or other monitors.
• Understand telephone conversations over a telephone or radio.
• Speak English clearly and enunciate words over a telephone or radio during stressful, emergency situations.
• Ability to: work, organize and operate with a high level of efficiency under pressure and extreme stress, to effectively handle multiple, differing tasks simultaneously; in multiple pieces of technology and software applications, to make critical decisions that affect campus wide response and reaction, to manage down time with self initiated training, communications refreshers and at time limited supervision.
• Knowledge and ability to operate Digital Trunking Radio System.
• Knowledge and ability to provide interagency interoperability using radio systems, simulcast functionality, conventional radio paging formatting and secure KNOX Box operations.
• This is a unionized position: International Union, Security, Police and Fire Professional of America (SPFPA).
• Per the SPFPA contract this position has a 12 month probationary period.
• Per the SPFPA contract the starting salary is $44,500/year.
• The final candidate must successfully complete a background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree.

EEO STATEMENT

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. EEO IS THE LAW