POLICE DISPATCHER I

Department: University Police Department

Job # 559101

First Review Date: July 21, 2026

Open Until Filled

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have more than 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs — all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field. As part of the California State University (CSU) system, Cal Poly Humboldt is part of one of the nation’s largest and most impactful public university systems, where education, innovation, and service create meaningful change for California and beyond. See what it’s like to work at the CSU—watch our video and imagine your future at Cal Poly Humboldt.

• →Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• →Ability to effectively handle simultaneous events under stress.
• →Ability to speak clearly and concisely.
• →Ability to hear, record and accurately recall radio transmissions, alarms, scanner traffic and telephone conversations, often simultaneously.
• →Ability to sit/stand for extended periods of time as required (often working a minimum 12-hour shift).
• →Ability to remain calm and maintain professionalism in radio transmissions and public relations during emergency, difficult, and stressful situations.
• →Ability to elicit information from upset/irate people in a calm and professional manner.
• →Ability to efficiently operate all required public safety telecommunications equipment and computer systems.
• →Ability to learn geographic features, streets and buildings on campus.
• →Ability to read and interpret various manuals and codes.
• →Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment.
• →Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical languages.
• →Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions.
• →Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions and problem-solve in accordance with written specifications and/or oral instruction.
• →Ability to perform a wide-variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• →Ability to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• →Ability to travel and attend various meetings, training seminars, and conferences.
• →Ability to become a trainer.
• →Ability to work and associate with a diverse community in an effective, professional and courteous manner.
• →Achievement of the POST Dispatcher certificate.

a. Answers incoming telephone calls (including 911 and TDD calls for fire, medical, police or other emergency services), receives initial information for calls for service, evaluates and prioritizes calls for proper dispatch and disposition.

b. Dispatches police units in accordance with established procedures and policies using a computerized dispatch system.

c. Maintains constant radio contact with all personnel in the field and responds to any information or support needs. Accounts for location and status of all units and properly records any information associated with field calls.

d. Monitors radio traffic of other police and fire agencies and campus departments such as Housing & Plant Operations.

e. Responds to all persons at the public counter to take initial reports or calls for service and to answer general questions regarding the campus, parking or police procedures, found property, Live Scan, etc.

f. Provides general information and referral services to the campus, especially outside of normal business hours.

g. Makes inquiries and enters a variety of records into the CLETS database, NCIC and CLEWS systems, including but not limited to registration checks on vehicles, stolen property or gun checks, warrants or missing persons.

h. Interprets database returns for officers in the field and broadcasts them as needed and understands that misuse of these systems is a criminal offense.

i. Contacts public and private agencies and requests mutual assistance, including other law enforcement agencies, fire, ambulance, towing services and utilities.

j. Maintains telecommunication briefing books of all missing persons, runaways, wanted persons, stolen vehicles, etc.

k. Monitors campus fire, panic, intrusion and environmental alarm systems and processes all alarms according to procedures by type of alarm.

l. Maintains department's computerized law enforcement records system (RIMS), which includes making timely entries regarding calls for service, crime reports, citations and persons contacted.

a. Process all crime reports and citations which includes keyboarding, printing, copying, scanning, distribution and filing.

b. Files department correspondence.

c. Takes messages for all department personnel.

d. Answers multi-line telephones promptly and professionally, and forwards calls or information in a timely manner.

e. Occasionally prepares various statistical reports as requested.

f. Provides computer entry and documentation of parking citations, permits, boots and querying of the parking computer systems.

g. Updates 826-INFO line in accordance with department directives or as needed in an emergency event.

h. Takes active and daily role in archiving of various reports, records and logs.

a. Keeps immediate supervisor and other designated personnel accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.

b. Assists with campus lost and found, which includes receiving, processing, filing, attempting owner contact.

c. Maintains various logs through computer aided dispatch, Excel, or other specialty forms such as maintenance requests, Incident Memorandums, activity logs, and the master open/closing building schedules for all buildings on campus.

d. Processes and maintains RIMS warrant database through regularly processing of reports form the local courts.

e. Issues and maintains records for building pass system (after hours use of campus buildings).

f. Distributes and maintains a log for a variety of campus keys checked out from the department.

g. Maintains and updates various dispatch, radio, CLETS and NCIC manuals as needed.

h. Responds to questions and comments from the public in a courteous and timely manner providing accurate, professional, and appropriate information.

i. Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices and new developments in the assigned work area and industry.

j. Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate persons to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.

k. May be asked to train new dispatchers.

l. Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the job classification.

m. Informally monitors and uses CCTV system and remote control which records a variety of locations on campus.

n. Operates the campus emergency public address system as needed during emergencies and during scheduled tests.

• Working knowledge of legal codes, requirements, procedures and techniques for receiving complaints and calls for service and for dispatching and communicating with campus officers in the field.
• Ability to effectively converse using police radio systems.
• Working knowledge of public safety-related agencies and the respective communication protocols.
• Police Dispatcher– 3
• Achievement of the P.O.S.T. Dispatcher certificate.
• Working knowledge of and ability to use applicable computerized and automated dispatch and law enforcement systems and databases to enter, research and retrieve data as necessary.
• Ability to independently respond and act quickly, accurately evaluate information and situations, and make appropriate decisions in routine, non-routine and emergency situations.
• Working knowledge of geographical layout and ability to read maps and floor plans to provide directions to officers in the field.
• Ability to accurately interpret written policies, follow oral and written instructions, and transfer information.
• Ability to provide clear and concise verbal directions quickly and accurately.
• Ability to present and summarize information in a variety of written formats, using clear and concise language.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, interact with all members of the campus community and general public, and maintain composure in highly stressful situations or when dealing with difficult individuals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

Entry to the first level within this classification typically requires one year of verifiable experience using a switchboard and two-way radio communication system in a law enforcement or comparable agency within the last ten years and a high school diploma or equivalent. Essential entry qualifications require the ability to effectively use a phonetic alphabet, speak clearly and concisely, follow oral and written instructions, transfer information accurately, handle a wide range of interpersonal interactions effectively, and learn the use of applicable automated dispatch and law enforcement systems and databases.

Incumbents must have completed or be able to attend and successfully complete the Police Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) Dispatcher Course. Incumbents who, upon hire, do not possess a P.O.S.T. Dispatcher Certificate also will be required to pass a written test related to essential dispatching skills. Additionally, incumbents must successfully pass supplemental P.O.S.T. requirements for dispatchers such a background check, physical and psychological examinations, drug testing , and related requirements.

a. Must be available to rotate shifts, work nights, weekends, overtime, holidays and emergency call-back.

b. Must have ability to type or word process 45 wpm.

c. Must meet the minimum requirement set for by the California State University System in the Classification and Qualification Standards for a Police Dispatcher at the Position Skill Level I.

d. Must be able to pass the P.O.S.T background investigation for law enforcement dispatcher position.

Two years of clerical experience involving public contacts; or one year of military or civilian public safety (police/fire) experience; or one year experience as dispatcher (or equivalent) operating radio or other communications equipment

A California POST Basic Dispatch certificate; proof of a California POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery Total T-Score of 55 or higher.

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