Communications Specialist

Working Title

Communications Specialist

Posting Number

CSA02853P

Department

SDSU-University Police Dept

Physical Location of Position (City)

Brookings

Posting Text

South Dakota State University

University Police Department

Do you have a passion for helping others? Are you interested in being part of a team where you get to play a role in serving and protecting the campus community? SDSU’s University Police Department is offering a rewarding career opportunity as a Communications Specialist. We are looking to fill two Communication Specialist positions. These positions are 12 months, 100% time.

This position is located in Brookings.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Job Responsibilities:
Operate a multi-talk group communications system; field calls and dispatch law enforcement and emergency personnel; monitor patrolling activity and request additional support when needed; monitor computerized systems for buildings and facility alarms; monitor multiple video and security systems; provide customer service to the public; research, interpret, compile, and disseminate information from various law enforcement databases to provide data to personnel in the field.

Benefits:
SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Communications systems.

• Dispatch operating procedures.

• Basic law enforcement and emergency response procedures.

• Stress and conflict management techniques.

• Computer applications and systems.

• Geography, buildings, roadways on campus, and in the city and county of Brookings.

Skill & Ability to:

• Prioritize radio and telephone calls while remaining calm during emergencies.

• Respond appropriately concerning the urgency of the situation.

• Operate a communications system, multi-line telephone system and computer terminal simultaneously.

• Read maps, multiple computer terminal and printouts quickly and accurately.

• Accurately record both alpha and alpha-numeric figures; locate and use reference sources.

• Follow oral and written instructions.

• Speak using good clarity, tone, volume, syntax, grammar and inflections/modulations.

• Organize, condense and transmit large amounts of information into brief, concise summaries.

• Maintain logs, manuals and reference materials in accordance with agency or institution policy and within Federal Communications Commission regulations.

• Listen to and exercise patience with callers.

• Manage calls regarding threats of emergencies (i.e., suicide) effectively.

• Remain calm in tense or emergency situation.

• Deal tactfully with and work effectively with law enforcement officers, emergency response personnel, field units, agency personnel and the public.

• Work independently.

Required License:

• Valid driver’s license is required.

• Obtain NCIC Certification within 3 months of hire, SD 911 Telecommunications certification, and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification within one year of hire are required.

• Must successfully complete Dispatch Communications Training program.

Comments:
Per SDCL 02:05:01:01 applicants must be a US citizen and be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment. Travel is required to complete required training, job duties and court appearances. Must be able to work rotating shifts including weekends and holidays. Employment is contingent upon a successful background check, psychological evaluation and polygraph test, and medical examination (includes drug and alcohol testing).

Application Procedures:
This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check. SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

SE5855, SE8538; 40392

Posting Date

10/06/2026

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

First Consideration Date

10/27/2026

Advertised Salary

Salary range of $19.27 - $21.67/hr., depending upon qualifications, plus benefits

Duration of the Term

12 months

If Other, describe duration

Appointment Percent

100

Work Hours

Shift Work including Nights, Weekends, and Holidays

Typical Hours Worked Per Week

Appointment Type

Regular

Scope of Search

External (includes Internal)

If internal, define scope of search

This position requires

Weekends/Holidays, Valid Drivers License, Other

If other, please indicate

US Citizen; Minimum 18 years of age; High School Diploma or equivalency certificate; Must pass Physical Exam, Drug Screening, Law Enforcement Background Check; Obtain NCIC Certification within 3 months of hire, State of SD 911 Certification and Priority Disp

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities. The University Police Department (UPD) provides year round 24/7 law enforcement service for South Dakota State University. Police officers are state trained and certified with full law enforcement authority. The department is responsible for protecting the campus community, ensuring a safe environment for continued education and research, providing enhanced security for the campus infrastructure and large scale public events, investigating crimes, providing uniformed patrol, deterring and detecting criminal activity and other policing services as needed.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [email protected]. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.

Contact Information

For additional information regarding this position or questions about the online application process, please contact Human Resources at 605-688-4128.