Communications Officer

Department Summary

Safety and Risk Services (SRS) is a unit within the Finance and Administration portfolio. Finance and Administration is a vibrant and varied portfolio serving all aspects of campus life.

Our employees perform a wide range of functions including offering essential financial tools and support to the university’s many departments, providing key resources to employees, and keeping campus safe, clean, accessible and beautiful.

SRS's mission is to collaborate with all campus constituents (students, staff, faculty, and visitors) and the surrounding community, to safeguard life and health and mitigate threats to the University’s core mission of academic excellence, research, and public service.

Safety and Risk Services comprises Emergency Management and Continuity, Enterprise Risk Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Location Innovation Lab - Campus Mapping, Risk Management and Insurance, and the University of Oregon Police Department.

SRS fulfills its mission by providing a variety of professional services, technical assistance, training, and regulatory oversight.

The University of Oregon Police Department (UOPD) is a community oriented and trust based policing agency within the University of Oregon.

UOPD plays an integral role in the university community by providing a safe, secure, and welcoming environment. The mission is to foster a climate that encourages a free, open, and civil exchange of ideas in support of the educational, research, and public service goals of the university.

The UOPD recognizes and promotes the value of multiculturalism and inclusiveness consistent with a spirit of responsible citizenship within an international community.

The University of Oregon is a diverse and ever changing community. Constant efforts by the UOPD are necessary to partner with and educate the community to deter, reduce, and solve crimes as well as to resolve issues through modern policing.

Position Summary

The Communications Officer provides direct operational support to the University’s Police, Environmental Health & Safety, Fire Marshal, Emergency Management units and off-hours support for Campus Planning and Facilities Management and Dean of Student response staff in their mission to protect the campus community.

They provide an essential communication link by evaluating incoming calls and routing them to the appropriate agency 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

This role is vital in the success of ensuring emergency staff on the UO campus are apprised of and able to respond to emergencies in real time.

Communications Officers also provide general information to the public via phone regarding university safety, security, and facilities programs and services.

UOPD Communications Officers routinely operate and monitor various alarms, confidential law enforcement databases, emergency notification applications, surveillance devices, and two-way communications systems within the UO Integrated Operations Center (IOC).

Communications Officers frequently work with external emergency responders through Lane Central 911 to facilitate service requests for critical life safety incidents and emergencies.

Communication Officers will certify as a Basic Telecommunicator through DPSST.

UOPD Communications Officers may be assigned to provide unique functions and / or be attached to special units such as :

• Field-based / tactical communications roles to support large campus events and / or special operations.
• Maintenance and updating of notification lists and protocols to ensure call down records are accurate for all university campuses and locations.
• Testing and exercising of the emergency notification procedures and systems to ensure they are accurate and ready.
• Records and court services to support administration of related functions.
• Community Engagement programs.

This position consistently interfaces with Police Officers, Community Service Officers, Security Officers, campus partners and external constituencies using multiple communication devices.

The person in this position works in a fast-paced and potentially stressful environment. UOPD Communications Officers must be able to maintain composure and professional presence while accurately gathering and giving critical information to first responders, campus leaders and the public.

This position may be required to work weekends, holidays, and all shifts (Day, Swing, and Graveyard).

Special Requirements / Qualifications :

Must be able to successfully pass a full background assessment to include a personal history, criminal history, and psychological evaluation and DPSST (F2a) medical examination

Meet and maintain all CJIS background requirements

Must adhere to Clery Act, FERPA, mandatory reporting and Title IX reporting responsibilities

Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality at all times, under all circumstances

Must complete a Communications Training Officer Program (CTO) within 6 months of hire. This training is provided by UOPD.

Assessment and Testing :

Must complete and pass the written and / or video skills assessment to move forward in the selection process

Minimum Requirements

• High School diploma or GED
• One year of experience working with the public (examples include, but are not limited to, customer service work, sales, information or reception, food service, or other positions that involve direct work with the general public)
29 days ago