Communications & Emergency Services Operator

Basic Function and Responsibility: The main function of a Communications Emergency Services Operator is to process all emergent and non-emergent calls placed to Campus Safety. The Communications Emergency Services Operator has many other crucial responsibilities including but not limited to proactively monitoring the university's robust CCTV system, preparing and efficiently responding to major emergencies, answering and transferring calls made to the university and maintaining a high level of customer service at all times. Essential Duties: Performs all facets of the Campus Safety Communications Center, and emergency communication functions of the University. Work cooperatively and communicate effectively with other Campus Safety personnel to actively serve as an agent of crime prevention for the University. Work with other university departments to ensure the highest level of customer service is provided at all times by communicating accurate information. Maintain regular radio communications with field units, to ensure their safety. Communicate with Facilities Management in the case of emergencies involving campus facilities according to policy. Communicate directly with Counseling Center personnel in the case of emergencies involving clients of the Counseling Center, faculty, staff or students of Biola University. Strong ability to communicate clearly during crisis situations. This includes the ability to implement excellent persuasive communication techniques to resolve the situation. Utilize excellent communication skills to communicate with callers who require an elevated level of understanding and intercultural communication. Initiate and maintain a high level of communication between the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department other external agencies and Campus Safety during emergency and crisis situations. Ensure the proper operation IP based radio system, Cisco phones including the Campus Safety Emergency Line, and the Counseling Center Answering Service Line. Confidently and accurately communicate critical information to the University community and implement the university Emergency Notification System in the event of an emergency or disaster according to policy. Implement the university lockdown system in the event of an emergency or disaster that impacts the main campus. Communicate information to the university community via the university public address system in the event of an emergency or disaster that impacts the main campus. Actively monitor campus via the more than 250+ cameras. This includes high crime prone areas, tracking any suspicious activity or persons in order to prevent crime on campus. Monitor and dispatch officers expeditiously per policy to any activation of the more than 50 panic buttons on campus. Maintain a constant state of readiness and be prepared to respond to any campus emergencies including active shooter, lock down, earthquake and other emergencies. Quickly assess, analyze, respond to and communicate as necessary in critical situations affecting the university including life-threatening and time sensitive matters. Participate in monthly training to test preparedness skills to ensure readiness respond to campus emergency and or disaster situations. Accurately and efficiently, enter and keep meticulous record of all officer initiated and calls for service processed through the Communications Center. Ensure that all access requests by community members are checked through department records prior to dispatching officers to perform building and/or room unlocks. Ensure Clery compliance within all dispatch logs as required by federal law. Maintain a high level of professionalism and lead by example at all times. Maintain strict confidentiality on all work-related matters. Maintain communication with the Comm. Center Manager and supervisors and provide feedback or information on any areas needing attention. Participate in the spiritual growth, development, care, and support of all co-workers. Maintain lifestyle in consonance with sound Christian principles and those supported by Biola University. Perform other duties as may be assigned and assist in other department capacities according to resource and capability. Must be available to work either day or swing shifts. Supervision Received: Communications Center Manager and Shift Supervisor Required Skills/Qualifications: Must have strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact positively with a diverse university population, and the ability to develop and implement problem-solving techniques within the institution. Must have the ability to think critically and implement excellent communication skills that involve communicating with students, employees, guests, co-workers and others. Must be an active listener with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely. Must have the ability to provide excellent customer service. Must be courteous and possess excellent communication skills. Must be proactive and dependable. Must demonstrate the ability to withstand pressure and remain calm at all times. Education ( Required): Minimum 60 units of college work, or 1 year of professional work in the public safety setting or certification on the subject of effective communication. Preferred: College degree in communication studies or related field. Knowledge of Communication Center operations and professional dispatching. Knowledge of technical skills associated with communications center, public safety dispatching, camera systems, and emergency/disaster operations. Upon Conditional Job Offer, a Communications and Emergency Services Operator Candidate Must: Be able to complete and pass a psychological examination.