911 Dispatch Position

University of Washington Police Department - Lead Dispatcher

 

PROFILE DISCLAIMER

The information herein is provided by the respective agency and is only as accurate and as up-to-date as the agency representative(s) update this information. PST is not responsible for the veracity of this data as it is provided directly from the agency. It is ultimately the applicant's responsibility to verify any information about the agency with the agency.

University of Washington Police Department - Lead Dispatcher

Last updated on July 01, 2025
PST Partner Agency since June 26, 2025

Vacancy: 1

Testing Deadline: July 31, 2025.

Important Information

This recruitment is for a Lead position, which is restricted to experienced public safety dispatchers. If you are not qualified or are not interested in the additional duties which will be assigned to a lead, please apply for our Police Dispatcher / Call Receiver position.

Community Information

The University of Washington Police department serves the University of Washington's primary campus in Seattle. The compact campus footprint of 1.1 square miles contains nearly 200 buildings serving a daily population of around 80,000 students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Department Information

The University of Washington Police Department (UWPD) has the exclusive responsibility to act upon law-enforcement matters and perform police functions for the Seattle Campus of the University of Washington, 24 hours a day. Police Officers at the UWPD respond to public calls for service within a very diverse community, providing community-oriented law enforcement services to the campus and nearby areas, enforcing state laws, city ordinances, and University regulations. Police Officers conduct criminal and traffic investigations, make arrests, prepare necessary documentation and testify in court. Officers also provide for the safety and security of persons and property at University events and attend community meetings. Watch our UW Police Video to meet us and see what it is like to work on the Seattle Campus.

The department strongly subscribes to and operates under the tenets of community-oriented policing.

Job Description

The Police Dispatcher/Call Receiver Lead performs the duties and functions of a Police Dispatcher in addition to providing guidance and support to the work of the police dispatchers and assisting the work of the police dispatcher supervisor. The Lead will act as a key resource to the UWPD communications team regarding operational procedures, equipment operation, and technical issues. They will also assist the supervisor in maintaining and improving the day to day operations of the communications center as well as assisting with administrative tasks to support the unit, department, and UW community.

Duties and Responsibilities Include:


  • Provide professional and courteous public safety services when acting as a 9-1-1 and non-emergency call taker as well as a public safety dispatcher
  • Guide and support the work of the police dispatchers, especially during times of elevated workloads and critical incidents
  • Communicate individual, team, and departmental challenges to the supervisor and recommend solutions to improve services, performance, and quality-of-life
  • Assist the supervisor in maintaining required staffing levels and managing dynamic staffing needs
  • Serve as a subject matter expert on all dispatch systems, including but not limited to: Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), criminal databases (NCIC/WACIC/ACCESS), Intrado Phone system, Motorola Dispatch consoles, SafeZone safety application, CAAMS door system, and others
  • Provide guidance, conduct troubleshooting, and perform basic maintenance on dispatch systems
  • Create and maintain resources and manuals to support the work of the communications center
  • Create audio recordings and related records for public disclosure and police investigations
  • Collect and record statistical data and assist in internal research
  • Represent the UWPD Communications Center in (non-governing) internal and external meetings and workgroups, as assigned by the supervisor
  • Assist the supervisor in developing and implementing in-house training
  • Support operations during communications center emergencies to include equipment failures, backup operations, and evacuations
  • Support special projects in the communications center as assigned


The Communication Center is currently staffed by eight 911 dispatchers and two leads who report to a civilian supervisor. The dispatchers receive 911 calls, non-emergency calls, TTY calls (hearing impaired), intrusion/hold-up alarm calls, monitor fire alarms, and monitor several radio frequencies. After receiving a call, the dispatcher will determine the appropriate level of response and dispatch the personnel to the call.

The Communications Center operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Area Information

County: King
Population: 80,000+ daytime population
# of Staff: 11 positions committed to the Communications Center; approximately 90 in the department overall

Hiring Status

University of Washington Police Department - Lead Dispatcher has 1 vacancy.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is July 31, 2025.

We are currently seeking two lead dispatchers!

We are also seeking one police dispatcher / call receiver; if seeking to test for this position please click here.

Salary Information

$5,425 to $7,292/month, effective 7.1.2025

Benefit Information

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website by clicking the following link, University of Washington Employee Benefits. UWPD Dispatchers participate in the PSERS retirement program.

University of Washington Police Department - Lead Dispatcher Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination Yes, required
Typing Test Yes, required

The typing test is a critical component of your written test score and you are required to complete the online typing test within 90 days (before or after) your written exam. You will be allowed four (4) attempts at the typing test every seven (7) days and are responsible for selecting the score that you want PST to forward to the agencies you have applied with.

35 WPM; 90% Accuracy

PST Personal History Statement Our agency requires a Personal History Statement, but not through PST. If you fill out the PST version for another agency, please keep a copy of the information you have gathered as there is significant overlap in what our agency will be asking on our Personal History Statement if you are selected to proceed to that step.  
Minimum Age 18
Citizenship Legally Eligible to Work in the US
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Ability to Read, Speak & Write the English Language Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills to include demonstrated ability to clearly and concisely speak and understand English.
Prior Experience Requirement

Two years of experience to include dispatching responsibilities and/or completion of an accredited dispatcher program OR equivalent education/experience may be substituted for MQ except when there are legal requirements such as licenses/certification/registration.

Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We consider the highest score received within the past one year
Request/Access Scores On an as-needed basis as vacancies occur
Dispatch Typing Test 35 WPM; 90% Accuracy

University of Washington Police Department - Lead Dispatcher Disqualifiers

The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.

Category Disqualifier
Criminal Activity
Automatic Any adult felony conviction.