Police Dispatcher

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title:

Job Category:

Employment Type:

Job Profile:

Job Duties:

The Division of Administration and Finance is committed to providing quality campus services to faculty, staff, students and external constituencies in support of the university’s mission of teaching, research, and public service. The division includes Facilities Planning & Management, Business Services, Budget, Human Resources, Information Technology Services and Police & Parking Services.

Under general supervision of the Law Enforcement Dispatch Supervisor, this position works in a critical office on campus that serves as a hub of all alarms and notification systems that are crucial to the safety of the campus community. This position works independently to provide communications via two way radios, telephones and computer for the university police, dispatch and telephone operations. It is a crucial position for coordinating internal as well as external communications for two departments and for the campus. This position works alone and is subject to occasional supervisory checks.

This position must be able to prioritize, multi task and remain calm in outwardly stressful incidents. This position must maintain an excellent understanding of Department/University policies and procedures. It is accountable for accurate police reports, dispatch logs and police records which are always sensitive and highly confidential in nature. This position plays a key role in the maintenance, creation and dissemination of legally required crime and activity statistics. The position will apply and maintain accurate records of Department grants.

Serves as a Campus Security Authority as defined by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus crime Statistics Act (Clery Act).

The normal work schedule for this position is second shift, 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Monday through Friday. However, work schedules may vary based on the changing needs of the department and may include first shift, third shift, weekends, and holidays throughout the year.

“The review of applications starts on May 18, 2026. Applications received on or before May 18th are prioritized and review will continue until the position(s) is/are filled. Initial interviews will be conducted virtually, with shortlisted candidates invited to campus.”

UW-La Crosse does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 608-785-8013.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Operates police radios, phone consoles, and various equipment and technologies to receive and processes requests and information from institutional affiliates, law enforcement, and other public safety agencies

• Documents incidents accurately and adheres to all applicable policies, rules, and regulations

• Troubleshoots, triages, and escalates issues according to established policies and procedures

• Communicates effectively and provides accurate and detailed instructions to all types of audiences in high stress emergency situations

• Schedules logistics and secures resources for response to emergency incidents for the institution

Department:

University Police Department

Compensation:

$18.65 / hour

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent.
• Required to become certified and maintain certification with WI DOJ Time system. This certification requires an extensive background and criminal history check.
• Knowledge and experience in the use of computer software including Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word, Excel)
• Knowledge and experience in the use of e-mail (i.e. Outlook, Gmail) functions.
• Knowledge of proper telephone etiquette.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• The ability to multi-task when necessary.
• Possess an attention to details and time lines/due dates despite frequent interruptions.
• Ability to coordinate projects, work independently and to independently set priorities to meet the demands of the position.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures.
• Skilled in the operation of multi-lined telephones.
• Ability to use discretion and good judgment regarding confidential information.
• Ability to meet and work effectively with people across multiple levels of the organization.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions associated with keyboarding required for typing or word processing.
• Ability and willingness to maintain and enhance professional competencies by participating in professional development workshops, seminars, and training sessions, related to current position responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of policies and procedures of a public safety unit.
• Advanced computer skills and knowledge.
• Prior dispatch experience.
• Experience with two way radio use and etiquette.
• TIME Certified.

How to Apply:

Required application documents

Cover letter (that addresses the required and preferred qualifications)

Resume

Contact Information:

Lea Butterfield [email protected]

Special Notes:

Application deadlines 
TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Priority consideration is given to those candidates who apply by the listed ‘First Review Date’. Applications received after that date may be considered at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or if you are not able to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact the Office of Human Resources. 

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials 
UWL is a state agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWL will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request. 
 
CBC & Reference Check Policy 
All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. 

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act) 
For the UWL Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.uwlax.edu/student-life/student-resources/annual-security-report/ or contact the University Police Department at 608.785.9000. 

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS 
Your benefits add an additional 40%+ to the overall financial package from the university. 
Highlights include: 

• Paid vacation for 12-month positions. 

• Excellent flexible health insurance with low co-pays and good coverage. 

• Paid holidays and paid sick days.

• After 5 years of employment, you become vested in our retirement system which ensures income post-career. 

• Benefits at UWL are highly competitive with local industry and some of the strongest in state and nation. 

 
Benefit eligibility is determined at the point of hire. This information is provided for illustrative purposes only. Benefits are also pro-rated based on the appointment percentage.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.