Public Safety Dispatcher

Position Title

Public Safety Dispatcher

Location

Big Rapids (Main Campus)

Department

57000 - Public Safety

Advertised Salary

$19.66 Hourly rate pursuant to the FSU and CTA/MEA-NEA Agreement

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.

Clerical Tech Association (CTA)

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Temporary/Continuing

Continuing

Part-Time/Full-Time

Full-Time

Union Group

Clerical-Technical Association (MEA-NEA)

Term of Position

12 Month

At Will/Just Cause

Just Cause

Summary of Position

Under the direction of the Director of Public Safety, this position manages the Public Safety communication system, monitors campus-wide security cameras, maintains after-hours access control, and performs various police records support functions, some of which require special certification. These positions will have a 4-day work week and a 10-hour workday, with a shift differential of $.30 per hour, as defined in the CTA/MEA contract. Work hours for these positions are 3:00 pm – 2:00 am, with a one-hour unpaid lunch period. The work schedules for these positions are as follows: Dispatcher 1/Week 1 – Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Week 2 – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Dispatcher 2/Week 1 – Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. Week 2 – Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Position Type

Staff

Required Education

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Required Work Experience

Office experience.

Required Licenses and Certifications

LEIN certified or achieve such certification within 60 days of hire.

Physical Demands

• Office Environment
• Moving
• Reaching
• Sitting
• Twisting
• Repetitive movement

Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered

Associate’s degree

One year of police dispatcher experience.

Formal training in law enforcement and/or dispatching related discipline.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Answer incoming calls and direct communications to the proper destination and/or assign the appropriate response service, such as dispatching police officers to non-emergency complaints and referring emergency police, fire, and EMS requests to Central Dispatch.
• Coordinate police response and services to University students, faculty, and staff as needed.
• Monitor and coordinate response to intrusion, hold-up, and fire alarm systems.
• Type, keyboard, input, record, and file records according to established procedures.
• Responsible for monitoring the campus-wide security camera system.
• Maintain after-hours access control for University buildings.
• Upon authorization to do so, will initiate and notify constituents via the emergency mass communication system in various emergencies.
• Review forms and other documents to ensure proper completion.
• Retrieve and input data utilizing a computer and printer.
• Certified LEIN operator.
• Process abandoned vehicle reports.
• Process traffic citations.
• Assist General Counsel with FOIA requests.
• Conduct background checks for other agencies.
• Process requests for police reports.
• Maintain confidentiality as required by law and department procedures.
• Prepare/coordinate department/University mail/document deliveries.
• Responsible for tracking and appropriately dispatching the Public Safety Officers.
• Response/coordination of DPS communication in emergencies/mass casualties/disasters.
• Maintains the department’s records system, as directed.
• Report directly to the Director of Public Safety.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with university policies and applicable laws.
• Responsible for maintaining confidentiality of information pursuant to university policies and/or state or federal laws.
• Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.
• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.

Marginal Duties/Responsibilities

Register hunting firearms.

Skills and Abilities

• Maintain composure in crisis situations and be able to work under the pressure of an emergency.
• Communicate effectively and be able to successfully interact in unusual situations and with difficult customers.
• Use computer software such as word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, and other management software.
• Successfully interact with visitors, staff, faculty, and students.
• Able to share sensitive information on a need-to-know basis only.
• Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Optional Documents

Transcripts

Special Instructions to Applicants

Initial Application Review Date

October 23, 2026

Open Until Position is Filled?

Yes

Posting Close Date

EEO Statement

Ferris State University, an Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to cultivating an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences within its community, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. For more information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement.

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