What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications Officer position at Georgia College & State University?
About Us
Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is the state's designated public liberal arts university, where students learn the essential skills to compete in a fast-paced and technology-driven global society. The university prepares students for successful careers, leadership in communities, problem solving and life-long learning through personalized attention in a residential setting with opportunities for a variety of transformational experiences through its award-winning, high-impact practices. One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, more than 30 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates, and continuing education programs.
As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction - among other ranking sources.
Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service- and community-based learning, leadership development, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.
The university's beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming, diverse college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery O'Connor, '45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at O'Connor's former home, Andalusia, a National Historic Landmark owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville - Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.
Georgia College & State University is dedicated to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgia's Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom
Job Summary
Communications officers report to the Communications and Records Supervisor, within the Support Services Division. Each Communications Officer is assigned as the primary Communications Center personnel for a patrol squad. As such, the Communications Officer performs critical functions, which include, but are not limited to, dispatching calls for service, providing support for personnel in the field, maintaining computer-aided dispatch and other records, monitoring a variety of communications equipment/systems and answering both emergency and non-emergency calls.
Responsibilities
This position will serve as a primary communicator for Public Safety operations within the Communications Center. Specific duties include, but are not limited to:
- Receiving emergency and non-emergency calls for service
- Dispatching requests for service to units in the field
- Maintaining records of shift activity, including within the computer-aided dispatch
- Responding to requests for information from units in the field
- Operating, inspecting, and maintaining Communications Center equipment
- Monitoring alarm, surveillance, and security systems as needed
- Providing directions and assistance for responding emergency support units and the
- Confirming warrants and GCIC/NCIC entries or inquiries
- Broadcasting emergency communications through departmental and institutional notification systems
Data Processing/Entry - 20
Enters, records, retrieves, and logs a variety of information in Public Safety databases, systems, and documents. These systems include, but are not limited to: ARMS or an equivalent records management system, Power DMS or an equivalent document management system, GCIC/NCIC, written or electronic pass-on/activity logs, and computer-aided dispatch or CAD
Customer Service - 20
Serves as the forward-facing point of contact for citizens entering the Public Safety headquarters. Such activities include:
- Effectively greeting citizens seeking services or information
- Efficient triage and assessment of a citizens need for service
- The ability to implement an appropriate response to a need for service, in conjunction with departmental policies and procedures
Cashier - 10
Conducts transactions for services rendered by Public Safety. Such services may include notary, fingerprint services, and background checks.
Other Duties - 5
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Educational Requirements
High school diploma or accredited GED equivalent
Other Required Qualifications
Must possess, or be able to obtain and maintain certification as a Basic Communications Officer pursuant to the rules of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (said rules may be found at https://www.gapost.org/rules.html).
Must be able to successfully pass a comprehensive background check. Requirements will include, at a minimum: an oral interview, a state and federal criminal history check, a nationwide sex offender search, a social security number check, a credit history check, a medical examination (for Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council), a drug screening, a psychological screening, an employment history check, and the verification of at least three professional/personal references.
Required Experience
Must have 2 years of work history, not necessarily in a related field, OR a combination of educational attainment and work history
Preferred Qualifications
- Preferred attainment of an Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university
- Preferred certification as a Basic Communications Officer pursuant to the rules of the Georgia Peace
- Preferred experience in a higher education environment
Required Documents to Attach
- List of References
- Certifications
USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current employee. No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination, under any program or activity conducted by GCSU.
Georgia College & State University is a national award-winning institution in areas of student success and achievement. It strives to achieve excellence in the composition of its community, educational programs, university policies, research and scholarship, campus life, employment practices, extracurricular activities, and community outreach. It is a priority of the university to be a welcoming and inclusive environment so that its campus culture will enhance the ability of its community members to succeed in their endeavors, to be respected as individuals, and to feel a sense of belonging.
Other Information
This is not a supervisory position.
This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is not considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position will not travel
This position requires security clearance.
This position will be subject to pre-employment drug screening and follow-up random drug screenings may occur during the employment period.
This position will require psychological and physical examinations as a condition of employment.
Background Check
- Criminal Background Check
- Driving/Motor Vehicle Record
- Drug Test - This position will be subject to pre-employment drug screening and follow-up random drug screenings may occur during the employment period.
- Psychological- This position will be subject to a pre-employment psychological screening.
- Physical- This position will be subject to a medical examination prior to attending Basic Communication School
