Safety Communications Operator

Job ID58916

Location

Columbia

Full/Part TimeFull-Time

Hiring Department

MU Police Department

Job Description

Overview: At the University of Missouri Police Department, law enforcement is about more than just policing - it's about building community, fostering trust, and protecting the future. Safety Communications Operators are the first point of contact for emergency and non-emergency assistance, serving as a vital communications hub for police and public safety operations. In this role, you will manage critical information flow, support officer safety, and ensure timely, accurate coordination of responses across campus. This position demands professionalism, composure, and strong decision-making in a fast-paced environment.

What You'll Do

Emergency and Non-Emergency Call Handling:

Answer and manage multi-line phone systems, including 911, emergency, and administrative lines and transfer calls to appropriate personnel or agencies as needed.

Gather accurate information from callers, assess urgency, and prioritize requests for service.

Serve as the university's after-hours emergency switchboard and route urgent notifications appropriately.

Radio and Dispatch Operations:

Operate multi-channel police radio systems to dispatch officers, security personnel, and support units.

Track officer status, movements, and safety through continuous monitoring and documentation.

Relay real-time updates, safety alerts, and critical information to field personnel with clarity and precision.

Monitoring and Security Systems:

Monitor alarms, panic systems, and campus camera feeds.

Identify suspicious, unsafe, or criminal activity and coordinate immediate response from available units.

Document building alarms and work with Facilities or after-hours maintenance when required.

Data Entry and Incident Documentation:

Maintain accurate, real-time CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch) logs for all police and security activity.

Use public-safety systems including CAD, MULES, and Rave to enter, retrieve, and verify data.

Support incident reporting and investigative needs through detailed and consistent documentation.

Customer Service and Front Desk Operations:

Serve as the first point of contact for walk-in individuals requesting assistance, information, or directions.

Provide professional, courteous customer service to students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Training and Additional Duties:

May assist in training new Communications Operators.

Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission of MUPD.

Why Join MUPD?

Impactful Work: Play a critical role in enhancing campus safety through effective communication and coordination.

Team Environment: Work closely with officers, supervisors, and university partners in a collaborative public-safety setting.

Educational Incentives: Tuition discounted for you and your family across the UM System

Professional Growth: Opportunities for training in public-safety communications, technology, and critical-incident coordination.

Shift

Standard Hours:

8-hour shifts Monday thru Friday: Days (7am-3pm), Evenings (3pm-11pm), and Midnights (11pm-7am); 12-hour shifts Weekends: Days (7am-7pm) Nights (7pm -7am).

Overtime may be available/required for shift coverage, special events, and/or campus emergencies as needed.

Essential Personnel Requirements:

As an essential university employee, may be required to work during weekends, university holidays, campus closures, severe weather events, and other emergency situations as operational needs dictate.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent.

At least two years of experience providing comparable skills, knowledge, or abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Two or more years of administrative, dispatch, or communications experience.

Prior public-safety, 911, or law-enforcement communications background.

Proficiency with computers, Microsoft Office, Outlook, and accurate typing.

Ability to work varying shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary: $18.80 per hour.

Grade: GGS-006

University Title: Safety Communications Officer

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

*Eligible for $1.00 shift differential for evening, night shifts and weekends.

Other Information

Posting open until filled, review of applications to begin immediately.

Selection Process (2-month Timeline):

Application review and screening

Committee interview

Background investigation

Interview with Chief of Police

Agencies policy on Reapplication:

The Police Department allows applicants not selected to reapply. This includes all applicants who successfully completed the selection process but were not offered employment.

All applicants must reapply to be considered for future positions.

The applicant will be notified in writing of their elimination or non-selection in the process.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at