Communications Officer

The Communications Officer with the University of Oregon Police Department (UOPD) provides critical operational and emergency communications support to help maintain a safe, secure, and welcoming campus environment. Working in a fast-paced communications center, this position evaluates and routes incoming calls, coordinates with campus and external emergency responders, monitors emergency systems and law enforcement resources, and communicates essential information to first responders, university partners, and the public.

This role requires professionalism, confidentiality, and composure under pressure and operates 24/7, requiring availability for day, swing, and graveyard shifts, as well as weekends and holidays.

Department

University of Oregon Police Department

Classification

Campus Dispatcher

Appointment Type and Duration

Regular, Ongoing

Salary

$27.21 - $37.25 per hour

FTE

1.0

Application Review Begins

October 12, 2026; Open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a complete application. Complete applications must include:

-an online application

-a resume that addresses how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications

UO Police Department is most interested in finding the best candidate for the Communications Officer job and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t think you meet every one of our preferred qualifications – use your application to let us know what excites you about this role and what transferrable skills or other qualities you would bring.

If you have questions about the application process or the position, please reach out to fass@uoregon.edu

Department Summary

Safety and Risk Services (SRS) is a unit within the Finance and Administration portfolio. Finance and Administration is a vibrant and varied portfolio serving all aspects of campus life. Our employees perform a wide range of functions including offering essential financial tools and support to the university’s many departments, providing key resources to employees, and keeping campus safe, clean, accessible and beautiful.

SRS's mission is to collaborate with all campus constituents (students, staff, faculty, and visitors) and the surrounding community, to safeguard life and health and mitigate threats to the University’s core mission of academic excellence, research, and public service. Safety and Risk Services comprises Emergency Management and Continuity, Enterprise Risk Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Location Innovation Lab - Campus Mapping, Risk Management and Insurance, and the University of Oregon Police Department.

SRS fulfills its mission by providing a variety of professional services, technical assistance, training, and regulatory oversight.

The University of Oregon Police Department (UOPD) is a community oriented and trust based policing agency within the University of Oregon. UOPD plays an integral role in the university community by providing a safe, secure, and welcoming environment. The mission is to foster a climate that encourages a free, open, and civil exchange of ideas in support of the educational, research, and public service goals of the university.

The UOPD recognizes and promotes the value of multiculturalism and inclusiveness consistent with a spirit of responsible citizenship within an international community. The University of Oregon is a diverse and ever changing community. Constant efforts by the UOPD are necessary to partner with and educate the community to deter, reduce, and solve crimes as well as to resolve issues through modern policing.

Position Summary

The Communications Officer provides direct operational support to the University’s Police, Environmental Health & Safety, Fire Marshal, Emergency Management units and off-hours support for Campus Planning and Facilities Management and Dean of Student response staff in their mission to protect the campus community. They provide an essential communication link by evaluating incoming calls and routing them to the appropriate agency 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

This role is vital in the success of ensuring emergency staff on the UO campus are apprised of and able to respond to emergencies in real time. Communications Officers also provide general information to the public via phone regarding university safety, security, and facilities programs and services.

UOPD Communications Officers routinely operate and monitor various alarms, confidential law enforcement databases, emergency notification applications, surveillance devices, and two-way communications systems within the UO Integrated Operations Center (IOC). Communications Officers frequently work with external emergency responders through Lane Central 911 to facilitate service requests for critical life safety incidents and emergencies. Communication Officers will certify as a Basic Telecommunicator through DPSST.

UOPD Communications Officers may be assigned to provide unique functions and/or be attached to special units such as:

• Field-based/tactical communications roles to support large campus events and/or special operations.
• Maintenance and updating of notification lists and protocols to ensure call down records are accurate for all university campuses and locations.
• Testing and exercising of the emergency notification procedures and systems to ensure they are accurate and ready.
• Records and court services to support administration of related functions.
• Community Engagement programs.

This position consistently interfaces with Police Officers, Community Service Officers, Security Officers, campus partners and external constituencies using multiple communication devices.

The person in this position works in a fast-paced and potentially stressful environment. UOPD Communications Officers must be able to maintain composure and professional presence while accurately gathering and giving critical information to first responders, campus leaders and the public.

This position may be required to work weekends, holidays, and all shifts (Day, Swing, and Graveyard).

Special Requirements/Qualifications

Must be able to successfully pass a full background assessment to include a personal history, criminal history, and psychological evaluation and DPSST (F2a) medical examination

• Meet and maintain all CJIS background requirements
• Must adhere to Clery Act, FERPA, mandatory reporting and Title IX reporting responsibilities
• Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality at all times, under all circumstances

Must complete a Communications Training Officer Program (CTO) within 6 months of hire. This training is provided by UOPD.

Assessment and Testing

Must complete and pass the written and/or video skills assessment to move forward in the selection process

Minimum Requirements

• High School diploma or GED
• One year of experience working with the public (examples include, but are not limited to, customer service work, sales, information or reception, food service, or other positions that involve direct work with the general public)

Professional Competencies

• Experience using computers for typical work tasks, such as: entering data into spreadsheets, document generation, etc.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, within three months of appointment, Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) certification, advanced First

Aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification.

• Ability to read, write, and speak clearly and concisely enough to understand what is being communicated and how to properly document their work effectively.
• Able to follow both written and verbal directions and university administrative policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Able to prioritize and multi-task effectively in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.
• Must be able to maintain composure and work effectively in stressful situations.
• Must be able to work effectively and in a professional and respectful manner when interacting with diverse members of the public.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service while adhering to rules, regulations, and safety guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of full-time work as a law enforcement dispatcher with a law enforcement agency, independently performing the full range of duties call taking, radio dispatching duties within the last 5 years.
• One or more years of experience full time work for a higher education agency, independently performing the full range of call taking and radio dispatching duties.
• DPSST Basic Telecommunicator certification.

FLSA Exempt: No

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

This position is represented by the University of Oregon Police Association.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit our website .

The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or call 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies.

Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here .

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online .