About the role
ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY:
The University of South Florida Police Department (USFPD) is a full service law enforcement agency dedicated to providing a safe environment for and in partnership with the community, while remaining committed to assisting with personal and professional development of department members, and to the principle of being community minded and service driven.
USFPD is organized into various bureaus, divisions, sections, squads, and units. The department is led by a command staff comprised of sworn and non-sworn members of the rank of captain and higher, a communications and records manager, and public information representative; all of whom report to the chief of police through an established chain-of-command.
The Operations Bureau is commanded by a captain who oversees the Patrol Division and the Community Service Officer Program. The Patrol Division is further broken down into four squads which provide direct law enforcement services to the community. The Special Operations Bureau is commanded by a captain who oversees the Special Operations Division which includes the K9 section, Criminal Investigations, Special Events, and Crime Prevention; all of which are led by sergeants. The Administration Bureau captain also oversees the Support Services Division. The Support Services Division includes the Professional Standards and Information Technology Sections. The accreditation, training and background investigation units fall within the Professional Standards Section which is managed by a sergeant. The Communications & Records Division reports to a non-sworn manager.
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 and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. 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 $750 million in research funding in 2025 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 nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Position Summary:
The primary purpose is to provide all communications for USF Police and Public Safety personnel in their day-to- day activities. This position must be staffed at all times, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Responsible for monitoring the field positions/activities of Law Enforcement Officers, Investigators, and non-sworn officers; dispatching officers in an efficient manner to emergency and service calls and coordinating other non-university emergency response services. (Tampa Police Department, Tampa Fire Department). Inputs and transmits call information, checks driver's licenses records, vehicle registrations, warrants, criminal histories, and missing person lists using computer terminal. Monitors and dispatches Parking Services Specialist via radio and phone, verifies vehicle information to determine whether to boot or unboots vehicles, enters boot information into Flex. Receives and dispatches all motorist assist calls to the field. Receives and dispatches reserved space dispute calls and dispatches, as necessary.
Operates/monitors at a high level of proficiency the Hillsborough County's enhanced 9-1-1 emergency system, FCIC/NCIC computer system, the Blue light emergency phone System, camera system software, card access system software and all other equipment in the Communications Center. Monitors and dispatches security officers to respond to card access calls, motorist assist calls, responds to emergency and non-emergency calls via radio and phone and determines response needed from law enforcement and/or security services. Receives open door requests from faculty and staff and dispatches as necessary. Assists with weekend calendar of events schedules and dispatches, as needed. Coordinates patrollers as needed in emergency situations. Dispatches escort requests from various entities on campus. Monitors university alarm system and notifies appropriate personnel upon activation.
Reviews, evaluates and disseminates criminal activity/confidential information to those who have a need to know on a 24-hour basis and provides information/assistance to members of the public who visit the front desk of the University Police Department.
Enters communication, routine calls, officer's activity and other pertinent non-criminal information into Computer Aided Dispatch for use in evaluating all law enforcement, parking enforcement, and security officers security field activities. Assists the Communication Supervisor in the field training of new dispatchers.
*Marginal Functions include: Assists in running information for various sections of the agency for investigative purposes (Detectives, officers), monitors other agency and university department channels when necessary. Monitors special events coordinated by other law enforcement agencies affecting university or department operation. Provide budgetary input to supervisors for equipment purchases related to the Communications Center.
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. Proficiency in typing and State certification on the NCIC/FCIC computer system may be required.
ADDITIONAL INFO FOR APPLICANTS:
Legal, Licensure, & USF Requirements: Employees in this classification are required to maintain all mandatory job-related certifications.
FLSB1310 Equivalency:
4 years of directly relevant experience may be substituted for bachelor's degree.
6 years of directly relevant experience may be substituted for master's degree.
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.