The Communications Dispatchers are responsible for monitoring incoming emergency calls, non-emergency public safety, facilities, and critical infrastructure calls, operational security situational awareness, information sharing, and dispatching security, police, and facilities staff to respond for calls for service. Leveraging advanced technologies for physical security, critical infrastructure/systems, and public safety tools, the Public Safety Communications Dispatcher collects and provides real-time situational awareness information regarding potential/actual risks, acts of criminality, and emerging threats. Communications Dispatchers are also responsible for coordinating crisis communications, supporting operational security priorities, de-conflicting emergency management situations, monitoring critical infrastructure systems, and providing timely updates for ongoing security, police, and facilities management incidents that may have operational consequences for all components of the Jefferson enterprise. Often functioning in a high-stress and time-critical environment, these dispatchers must determine the validity, urgency, proximity, and significance of this information and disseminate it to relevant parties in a timely manner. Communications Dispatcher receives incoming emergency (8-1-1) and non-emergency telephone calls from both the public and public safety agencies. This position dispatches police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) field units to respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service over a two-way radio system utilizing a computer-aided dispatch system. This position facilitates and executes the crisis/emergency communications mission for the Jefferson enterprise in the Security Operations Center (SOC). Location of this position will initially be based out of Center City, but will eventually move to Woodcrest, NJ upon the completion of the new Security Operations Center.
- Monitoring multiple law enforcement, public safety, fire department, and emergency management radio channels simultaneously to provide timely and accurate notifications to the public safety security and Jefferson police officers, visitors, staff, students, faculty, patients, executive leadership, and public safety command staff. Reviewing information from leadership from a variety of sources in the form of emails, memorandums, narrative reports, news reports, and notification to facilitate emergency response, record keeping, and data collection.
- Operating proprietary CCTV cameras, intrusions detection, and access control systems on multiple platforms, assist in locating reported incidents, identifying suspects of crime, missing or endangered people, etc.
- Exercising discretionary decision making in a time-critical and high-pressure environment with significant stakeholder interest
- Coordinating and effectively communicating with police, fire department, and emergency communications personnel during an emergency response
- Attending and participating in meetings, conferences, trainings, and crisis/emergency management tabletop regional exercises
- Prepares and enters information from calls into a computer-based information management system, such as public safety and security complaints, incident reports (current CAD is the Omnigo system)
- Maintains records essential to the development of the Public Safety Department operational metrics/KPI' for the frontline functional responsibilities.
- Interacts with local police, or other law enforcement agencies relative to criminal offenses and complaints that arise on and around Jefferson healthcare and academic facilities
- Engages and coordinates security, police, and facilities operational, crisis, and emergency mission communications such as: fires, bomb threats, explosions, workplace violence, civil disturbance/disobedience, infrastructure compromise, and facilities maintenance challenges or other critical incidents.
- Proactively monitors video surveillance, intrusion detection, fire alarm/suppression, healthcare environmental controls, and facilities infrastructure systems
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
- Considerable knowledge of security, emergency management, and communications technologies supporting the Security Operational Center's (SOC) operational activities
- Knowledge of law enforcement and fire/EMS terminology, radio communications protocols, and operational security techniques/procedures as they relate to dispatch activities
- Experience working under stressful conditions making critical decisions using sound judgment
- Must achieve National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) basic certifications in one year
- Experience using Motorola, VOIP, wireless radios, emergency alerting systems, social media, and other public safety and emergency management systems.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
Qualifications Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
- Associates or Bachelor's Degree (Criminal Justice, Public Safety, or Homeland Security Studies) is preferred, but not required.
- High school diploma or GED required
- Previous experience as dispatch, communications specialist, or watch officer preferred
- Must complete APCO International basic dispatch and security operations center communications training certification in 90 days
Conditions of Employment Covid Vaccination is a requirement for employment at Jefferson for employees working at Jefferson's clinical entities or at the University. If you are not currently vaccinated you will be required to receive the vaccination prior to hire date if you are offered employment, unless you request and receive an approved medical or religious exemption from Jefferson.
Closing Statement About Jefferson Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University , home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health , nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals campuses and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years. Jefferson is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap or disability or any other protected group or status.