Police Dispatcher
University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Police Communications Specialist (Dispatcher)
The Police Communications Specialist is responsible for operating a USF Police Department emergency communications center on a 24 hour basis. This position receives incoming calls for police and security services, dispatches officers as appropriate, and monitors police radio alarms. The incumbent also collects and summarizes data and information for the day's activities.
Join a team where your role truly matters.
The USF Police Department at the St. Petersburg campus is seeking a Police Communications Specialist (Dispatcher) to support our campus community in a 24/7 communications center.
If you are looking for a professional environment with strong teamwork and a leadership team committed to continuous improvement, we encourage you to apply.
Responsibilities
Responsible for monitoring the field positions/activities of the Law Enforcement Officers, investigators and non-sworn officers, dispatching officers in an efficient manner to emergency & service calls & coordinating other non-university emergency response services. Inputs & transmits call information, check driver's licenses records, vehicle registrations, warrants, criminal histories and missing persons lists using computer terminal.
Operates/monitors at a high level of proficiency using the FCIC/NCIC computer system. The campus blue light emergency phone system and all other equipment in the communications center. Monitors alarm systems and notifies personnel upon activation.
Reviews and disseminates criminal activity/confidential information to those who have a need to know on 24 hour basis and provides information/assistance to members of the public who visit the university police department.
Compiles daily logs, complaint cards, officer field activity reports and other management reports necessary for use in evaluating all law enforcement field activities. Assists parking patrollers with information about motorist assists
eeds in the field. Provides basic parking services information about securing permits and for making citation appeals to members of the public who request such information. Provides campus general information and transfers callers/directs persons to appropriate university offices. Provides directions to local area destinations. Provides general clerical and administrative support to the department.
Qualifications
MINIMUM:
This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, and one year of appropriate experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience. Computer and typing proficiency. Ability to obtain State certification on the NCIC/FCIC computer system.
PREFERRED:
Possession of a current certification as a State of Florida 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator. Three or more years' experience working as a Public Safety Telecommunicator for a law enforcement or emergency operation; state certification on NCIC/FCIC computer system.
This position requires a level 2 background check.
Senate Bill 1310 - The Florida Senate is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree;
Six years of direct experience for a master's degree;
Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertisement description of the position of employment.
Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB1310.
About Us
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
The Police Communications Specialist is responsible for operating a USF Police Department emergency communications center on a 24 hour basis. This position receives incoming calls for police and security services, dispatches officers as appropriate, and monitors police radio alarms. The incumbent also collects and summarizes data and information for the day's activities.
Join a team where your role truly matters.
The USF Police Department at the St. Petersburg campus is seeking a Police Communications Specialist (Dispatcher) to support our campus community in a 24/7 communications center.
If you are looking for a professional environment with strong teamwork and a leadership team committed to continuous improvement, we encourage you to apply.
Responsibilities
Responsible for monitoring the field positions/activities of the Law Enforcement Officers, investigators and non-sworn officers, dispatching officers in an efficient manner to emergency & service calls & coordinating other non-university emergency response services. Inputs & transmits call information, check driver's licenses records, vehicle registrations, warrants, criminal histories and missing persons lists using computer terminal.
Operates/monitors at a high level of proficiency using the FCIC/NCIC computer system. The campus blue light emergency phone system and all other equipment in the communications center. Monitors alarm systems and notifies personnel upon activation.
Reviews and disseminates criminal activity/confidential information to those who have a need to know on 24 hour basis and provides information/assistance to members of the public who visit the university police department.
Compiles daily logs, complaint cards, officer field activity reports and other management reports necessary for use in evaluating all law enforcement field activities. Assists parking patrollers with information about motorist assists
eeds in the field. Provides basic parking services information about securing permits and for making citation appeals to members of the public who request such information. Provides campus general information and transfers callers/directs persons to appropriate university offices. Provides directions to local area destinations. Provides general clerical and administrative support to the department.
Qualifications
MINIMUM:
This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, and one year of appropriate experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience. Computer and typing proficiency. Ability to obtain State certification on the NCIC/FCIC computer system.
PREFERRED:
Possession of a current certification as a State of Florida 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator. Three or more years' experience working as a Public Safety Telecommunicator for a law enforcement or emergency operation; state certification on NCIC/FCIC computer system.
This position requires a level 2 background check.
Senate Bill 1310 - The Florida Senate is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree;
Six years of direct experience for a master's degree;
Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertisement description of the position of employment.
Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB1310.
About Us
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.