Dispatcher

Amherst College invites applications for the Dispatcher position. The Dispatcher is a full-time, year-round position, starting at $24/hr.

Adhering to the principles of community engagement and community-oriented problem solving, the Dispatcher provides the initial point of contact for emergency response to criminal activity, fires, medicals, fire alarms, and intrusion alarms. The Dispatcher also provides community service as the college's operator.

The Dispatcher position is considered an essential position, meaning the employee is expected to report to work even if the College is closed for weather-related or other reasons. Some overtime, weekend, and occasional shift change work is required. Due to the nature of the position, the Dispatcher must respond to emergencies as needed.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Public Safety Dispatcher

• Answers five emergency lines, four Police business lines, multiple college operator lines, and the direct line to the Amherst Police and Fire Departments
• Collects information from calling parties as well as walk-ins to the station in a timely manner and disseminates that information to the appropriate entities, i.e., Police, ACEMS, Safe RIDE, Environmental Health and Safety, Amherst Fire, Facilities, Office of Student Affairs, or any other office on campus
• Utilizes the National Crime Information Center and Criminal Justice Information System to respond to requests for information from on-duty police officers, e.g., license, warrant, and criminal history checks
• Monitors fire, intrusion, panic, and other alarms
• Monitors cameras on campus
• Activates the college's emergency mass notification system as directed by a ranking officer
• Provides emergency instructions, calls in personnel after hours, and supports and assists the community as a whole in a supportive and professional manner
• Records details in the Automated Record Management System (ARMS) database. The Police Department uses information stored in this system to comply with the state law on Public Police Logs, to keep the administration of the College informed of police department activity, to create records of crime and prosecute criminal cases, and to compile statistics for the Federal Clery Compliance document. This information is often highly confidential, sensitive in nature, and protected by law

Administrative Support

Operator:

• Answers the Amherst College externally published general phone line
• Directs visitors and callers to the many diverse events on campus
• Utilize the Event Management System (EMS) program to access room reservations and function schedules to provide accurate information

Pool Vehicles:

• Verifies the prescheduled use of the Pool Vehicles, ensuring the driver is credentialed and has been authorized to operate a Pool Vehicle utilizing the Event Management System (EMS) scheduling software and the Five College Credentialing site

Access Control Buildings:

• Assists authorized contractors and staff in getting keys
• They are also a key link in the One Card system, issuing temporary identification, controlling access upon direction of a police officer

Parking:

• Issues parking permits to students, faculty, staff, contractors, and visitors

Qualifications:

Required

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Related experience in law enforcement, security, or dispatching
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and able to learn new software programs
• Attention to detail
• Strong problem-solving and time management skills, as well as the ability to multitask
• Demonstrated interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, as well as exercise diplomacy, and function efficiently under extreme conditions
• Requires sensitivity to issues of confidentiality
• Commitment to, experience with, and/or ability to work effectively with a broad spectrum of individuals from a variety of diverse backgrounds

Preferred

• Associate's Degree

Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation, so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.