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ABOUT SIMMONS
Located in Boston’s historic Fenway area, Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons was founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders. Today, our university continues to grow and evolve and now offers Boston’s only women’s undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all.
You’re joining our community at an especially exciting time as we continue to innovate for the future. Simmons recently launched a six-school academic structure that leverages our expert faculty and longstanding expertise in professions that make our communities stronger. In addition, we continue to highlight our high-value education proposition that is delivering greater ROI to students and putting them on the fast track to career growth and success. You’ll find that people who work here truly believe in our mission of preparing students to become social justice-oriented leaders who excel in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace.
As a university that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices–at all levels, for all positions–ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.
JOB SUMMARY
The Simmons University Dispatchers/Public Safety Officers (PSO) work in a team-based environment to support the mission, goals, and objectives of Simmons University and the Simmons University Public Safety Department. PSOs are non-sworn departmental members and are assigned to dispatcher functions.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Dispatch Responsibilities
- Take emergency and routine calls for service, record the details of the calls, dispatch appropriate public safety or other resources, and provide the details of those calls to responding officers.
- Demonstrate working knowledge and application for all relevant Rules and Procedures, Standard Operating Procedures, and Emergency Response Protocols relevant to their duties and responsibilities as Dispatchers;
- Interact with and monitor a variety of electronic database systems as end users, to include Computer Aided Dispatch, Video Insight- IP Video-based surveillance system, Cameras, IPARC, *Cure 9000, ARMS, Web RMV, Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS), Workday;
- Support all University departments, particularly Residential and Student Life and Buildings and Grounds.
- Communicate with the Boston Police Department (BPD), Boston Fire Department (BFD) and Boston Emergency Medical Services (BEMS), and other relevant Federal, State and Local enforcement and safety/security related agencies that provide for the public safety on campus and in the immediate surrounding areas;
- Responsible for important emergency and routine notifications to a variety of university and outside officials, including the Public Safety command staff, Buildings and Grounds staff, Student and Residential Life staff; Health Center and Counseling staff, BPD, BFD, and BEMS as well as dispatchers at other area colleges;
- Monitor all security and life safety systems on campus to assure that they operate properly and to respond as needed.
Event Support & Shift Coverage
- Provide shift coverage and work additional hours when needed;
- Support campus events and other campus-wide activities.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
When called upon:
- Patrol Simmons University residential and academic campuses to deter crime and to observe and report abnormalities, suspicious activity, and facility maintenance issues.
- Assist police operations as directed; act as general public safety agents of the University, searching for and correcting hazards, violations of safety and security rules;
- Respond to calls for service
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Must be able to successfully complete a comprehensive pre-employment background investigation, medical exam, drug and psychological testing.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- CPR/First Aid /AED certification, along with other licenses and certifications prescribed by the Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police or his/her designee;
- Campus Public Safety experience and APCO Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) and Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) or other Public Safety/Law Enforcement dispatch training is desirable.
COMPETENCIES
- Confidentiality: In the performance of their duties, but particularly when dispatching, PSOs routinely interact with persons in distress and are often provided with information that is not intended to be public, for a variety of reasons. PSOs are required to maintain the confidentiality of information that is received during the course of their duties, i.e., criminal investigations, healthcare, and other privacy laws, policies, and/or procedures, etc.
- Customer Service Supporting the Community: PSOs are often the connection to the Simmons University Community for visitors, callers, other agencies, and vendors. They are expected to be professional at all times and comply with the policies and procedures of the department and the University, while providing excellent customer service. They are expected to help solve problems or direct people to the appropriate person who can assist them.
- Adaptability: PSOs are operating in a dynamic public safety environment and are expected to adjust to changing circumstances and respond to a variety of calls for services.
- Ability to communicate effectively, in both oral and written form, including the use of two-way radio, telephone, and in face-to-face contacts
WORK ENVIRONMENT & CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- This position requires shift availability during the 24/7 operation of the department, including nights, weekends and holidays.
- Ability to perform tasks requiring bending, stooping, standing, kneeling, walking, light lifting of items, and climbing stairs.
- This position may be subjected to a work environment with confined spaces and varying outdoor weather conditions.
In accordance with applicable pay transparency laws effective October 29, 2025, Simmons University is committed to pay equity, transparency and clear communication throughout the hiring process. The hourly or annual salary range for this position is:
H04$16.73 - $26.73
This is a benefits-eligible position.
Actual compensation will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills, equity, and external market benchmarks that help guide compensation decisions. Our compensation philosophy is centered around a comprehensive package that includes pay, health benefits, and retirement savings offerings that can be seen here, as well as work-life balance initiatives such as flexible hours and remote work opportunities. We are committed to offering a package that empowers individuals to thrive in their roles, contribute meaningfully, and lead with confidence.
Instructions to Applicants: Please upload all applicable application materials (e.g. resume/cv, cover letter, writing sample, teaching philosophy, etc.) in the Application Materials box on page 2 ("My Experience") of this application. Documents can be uploaded individually or as a combined document (e.g. PDF).
Simmons University is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual’s community experience. As a university committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices–at all levels, for all positions–ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.
