Communications Officer

Communications Officer Recruitment Information

Department: Department of Police and Public Safety
Job Category: Classified Staff
Role (State) Job Title: Communications Officer
Working Title: University Police
Job Type: Full-Time
Working Hours: Rotating
Location: Fairfax, VA
Salary: $39,216 with a two percent increase upon completion of academy training

Web Announcement

Communications Officer
The George Mason University Department of Police and Public Safety invites applications for the position of Communications Officer.

The department is a fully sworn, nationally accredited police department through the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC). The Mason Police Department provides professional police services to a diverse university population of over 35,000 students, faculty and staff. George Mason University is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth of Virginia.

Responsibilities:
The Communications Officer works in the Department of Police and Public Safety’s 24/7 public safety answering point (PSAP) and performs a variety of communications and operational tasks in support of public safety, security, and law enforcement operations in accordance with existing university, state and federal guidelines. Duties include answering emergency telephone lines, dispatching police officers, managing lost and found items, monitoring the university fire alarm system, monitoring the university closed-circuit television (CCTV) security system, and providing information and customer service to the university community via both telephone and a walk-up window. This position requires the incumbent to work rotating shifts (including evening and overnight shifts).

Required Qualifications:
National Crime Information Center/Virginia Crime Information Network (NCIC/VCIN) Operator Requirements as set out by the FBI Criminal Justice Information System:
• No felony convictions or convictions of misdemeanors involving crimes of moral turpitude or gross misconduct;
• Must not currently be wanted for any crime;
• Must not have been found guilty by reason of mental illness for any crime;
• Be a United States citizen or have been a lawful resident of the U.S. for the past 10 consecutive years;
• Be able to pass an extensive background investigation;
• Be able to attend and successfully complete an 80-hour police communications course at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy; and
• Become certified and maintain a NCIC/VCIN certification.

Job Requirements:
• Work with minimum supervision;
• Assist the public in a professional manner;
• Have the ability to multitask and prioritize in a very busy police communications center;
• Ability to communicate effectively via telephone and radio;
• Ability to handle stress under emergency situations;
• Ability to type at least 30-35 words per minute;
• Ability to successfully complete a CritiCall skills assessment;
• Experience operating computers using MS Windows; and
• A high school diploma or equivalency.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Previous experience working in a communications center is highly desired.

Both new and current state employees will be required to serve a one year probationary period upon employment.