Position Summary:

Looking for an essential role within a dynamic team? Become a Police Dispatcher and be the vital link between our campus law enforcement officers, outside emergency agencies, and the community.

Your Role: As a Police Dispatcher, you'll maintain clear and efficient communication channels, ensuring the swift and accurate relay of general and emergency information. You'll perform standard dispatch duties, using advanced computerized systems to manage data and support our campus law enforcement team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Receive, record, and dispatch critical information quickly and accurately.
• Communicate effectively with campus police, law enforcement agencies, and the public.
• Operate automated dispatch and police information systems.
• React swiftly and demonstrate good judgment in high-pressure situations.
• Provide technical support within the University Police Department’s Emergency Communications Center (ECC).
• Handle 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls and assist at the front lobby walk-up counter.
• Offer tactical dispatching and scribing support for critical incidents.
• Monitor fire, CCTV, and access control systems.
• Engage in public education and outreach programs.
• Provide clerical support for various law enforcement services.

What We Offer:

Join a supportive team that values professionalism, quick thinking, and effective communication. As a Police Dispatcher, you'll play a crucial role in keeping our campus safe and secure while gaining valuable experience in a fast-paced environment.

Position Information

• Full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position.
• Position is designated non-exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation.
• Regular work schedule will be one of the following:
  • 3/12 work schedule, consisting of twelve (12) hour shifts on three (3) consecutive days during each calendar week plus an additional eight (8) hour shift every other week
  • 4/10 schedule, consisting of four (4) consecutive days of ten (10) hours.
• Dispatchers may be required and/or mandated to work on-call assignments, work past scheduled shifts, and work overtime with short notice; work overnight shifts, rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays.
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

Safety and security is coordinated by University Police, through a force of 42 sworn full-time police officers, 40 sworn part-time, and 25 non-sworn support employees. Our police officers are graduates of the California Peace Officers Standards Training Academy with full arrest powers throughout the state. They undergo continued training to upgrade their skills as well as first aid and CPR. University Police officers are armed. They conduct foot, vehicular and bicycle patrols on campus and in the adjacent community 24 hours a day. Officers are responsible for reporting and investigating crimes and traffic accidents, enforcing state laws and local ordinances, responding to medical emergencies and all other incidents requiring police assistance. 

For more information regarding the University Police Department, click here.

Education and Experience

Entry to the first level within this classification typically requires one year of verifiable experience using a switchboard and two-way radio communication system in a law enforcement or comparable agency within the last ten years and a high school diploma or equivalent. Essential entry qualifications require the ability to effectively use a phonetic alphabet, speak clearly and concisely, follow oral and written instructions, transfer information accurately, handle a wide range of interpersonal interactions effectively, and learn the use of applicable automated dispatch and law enforcement systems and databases.

Incumbents must have completed or be able to attend and successfully complete the Police Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Dispatcher Course. Incumbents who, upon hire, do not possess a P.O.S.T. Dispatcher Certificate also will be required to pass a written test related to essential dispatching skills. Additionally, incumbents must successfully pass supplemental P.O.S.T. requirements for dispatchers such as a background check, physical and psychological examinations, drug testing, and related requirements.

Licenses and/or Certifications

• Valid California Driver’s License or have the ability to obtain one within 10 days of hire.
• Current typing certificate with a passing score of 70 WPM.

Key Qualifications

• Possession of the CA P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate is preferred.
• Successful completion of the P.O.S.T. certified Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course (80 hours
• minimum) and/or completion of probation as a public safety dispatcher during previous employment is preferred.
• Currently employed as a dispatcher within an Emergency Communications Center is preferred.
• Bilingual skills are desirable.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $6,609 per month. 

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources. 

San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For more information regarding SDSU benefits, please click here.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $3,680 - $6,609 per month. 

Diversity and Community at SDSU

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. 

Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement.  For more information, click here.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on November 6, 2024. To receive full consideration, apply by November 5, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

SDSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified candidates for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Michelle Puentes at mpuentes2@sdsu.edu.