Public Safety Dispatch Technician
Job Title: Public Safety Dispatch Technician
Classification: T3
Department: GVPD
Updated: February 2026
Shift
Ability to work any shift, holidays, weekends. Current opening: 3rd shift (11p-7a Monday - Friday). Shifts are open to a bid process and awarded by seniority.
Job Summary
Provide management/support of 24-hour dispatch program.
Essential Functions
- Initiate, create, and complete technical and clerical projects and duties to maintain efficient operation of university-wide dispatch program including but not limited to the ability to operate/review security cameras, 800mhz radio system, monitoring of alarm systems, and controlling the campus door programing system.
- Immediate response to critical incidents by activation of the emergency notification systems.
- Quickly respond to incoming requests for public safety response. Utilizing the ability to divide attention to problem solve and prioritize using a wide variety of data points with multiple areas of response.
- Create, edit and proofread variety of material such as reports, memos, correspondence and forms.
- Maintain confidentiality in all matters both criminal and non-criminal.
- Responds appropriately to department customers in person, phone and email
- Responsible for specific areas of the department as assigned (handbooks, scheduling, training, door lock program etc.)
- Serve as a lead and primary point of contact for student employees by coordinating daily work activities, providing training and guidance, and supporting the hiring process through application review and interview participation. This role does not carry formal supervisory authority.
- Respond to questions/complaints and resolve problems that may require substantial knowledge and interpretation of university and Public Safety regulations, policies and procedures.
- Act as liaison with Ottawa County Central Dispatch and Grand Rapids Police Department Dispatch to maintain up-to-date policies and procedures of dispatch services.
- Prepare reports that may require compiling and computing statistical data.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Non-Essential Functions
- None
Required Qualifications
- High school graduate.
- Ability to navigate sensitive incidents and/or disturbing imagery.
- Related work experience in dispatch and/or relevant training.
- Demonstrated experience to successfully work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated experience to successfully maintain positive intercultural and interpersonal relationships.
- Demonstrated experience to successfully provide quality customer service.
- Demonstrated experience to successfully navigate challenging situations in the workplace, while using good judgement.
- Demonstrated experience to successfully maintain satisfactory work performance and attendance records.
- Possess strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated experience to successfully to use various computer software applications.
- Demonstrated experience to successfully work independently, organize own work and coordinate work activities of others.
- Excellent grammar and proofreading skills.
- No criminal record that would question credibility or public trust that is expected with this position. Ability to pass an extensive background check.
- Essential Staff required to be available 24/7 in case of emergency, weather or scheduling issues.
- Ability to stay calm under rapidly evolving situations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Four-year college degree.
- Higher education experience in dispatch
- Front Line supervisory experience.
Supervision Received
Receives general instruction from a designated supervisor but is generally expected to work independently.
Supervision Exercised
Hire, train, schedule and coordinate the work of student employees and may act as lead worker to PSS staff members within the department/unit/division.
Physical Demands
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.