Communications Officer

Posting Details

Position Information

Working Title
Communications Officer 00581

Role Title
Emergency Coordinator I

Position Number
00581

FLSA
Non Exempt

Appointment Type
Full Time

Type of Posting
General Public

Is Sensitive Position?
Yes

If Sensitive Position, please paste statement

This position is a sensitive position and requires that finalist applicants undergo a fingerprint-based criminal history check.

Designated Personnel
Yes

Responsible Employee

This position is designated as a "responsible employee" who has the authority to redress sexual violence, who has the duty to report incidents of sexual violence or other student misconduct, or who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty.

If Designated Personnel, please paste statement

This position is a "designated position" meaning this position could potentially be required to work (depending on the event) during an emergency closing

Statement of Economic Interest
No

If Statement of Economic Interest, please paste statement

Is this a restricted position subject to availability of funding?
Yes

If Restricted Position, please paste statement

This is a restricted position subject to availability of funding.

Departmental Objective

The University Police Department's mission is to patrol the University properties helping to assure safety and well being of students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the campus by using the philosophy of community policing. The Department's mission will be achieved through a proactive, community service approach to problem resolution and by offering crime prevention programs on safety, self-protection, substance abuse, sexual assault, and protection of personal belongings. This mission will be the charge of every employee of this Department.

Purpose of the Position

The Communications Officer receives calls for police intelligence and service, and accurately and timely disseminates to appropriate providers of service. Serves as the key link between the public and emergency personnel. This position will facilitate the completion of services from police officers to the public in an accurate and timely manner.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Related to Position

• Ability to evaluate situations and make decisions independently that are consistent and reflect positively with the mission statement and the function of the Christopher Newport University Police Department
• Ability to maintain an open approach to situations and an impartial view to consider the impact and/or potential outcome
• Ability to deal effectively with the public and maintain a lack of bias
• Ability to learn specialized software, basic knowledge of general office practices to include the ability to type, good organizational skills, and excellent oral and written communication skills,
• Good interpersonal communication and public contact skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with other supervisors to resolve issues as they may arise
• Ability to answer phones and listen to/communicate on radio frequencies
• Ability to work rotating shifts to include nights, weekends, and holidays
• Must be available to work during inclement weather and other emergency situations.
• Ability to successfully complete training courses related to emergency response communication
• Knowledge/experience with computers to include word processing and the ability to learn specialized software

Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification Required

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent experience that equates to a high school diploma

Experience:

• Experience with computers to include word processing.

Additional Consideration(s)

Education:

• Certified as a Communication Officer through an accredited Academy
• Certified as an NCIC/VCIN operator through the Virginia State Police or an accredited Academy.

Experience:

• Previous experience in law enforcement/emergency response communication duties/dispatching

Salary Information
Starting at $36,552 commensurate with education and experience

CNU Information

This position includes Commonwealth of Virginia and Christopher Newport University employee benefits. CNU offers a comprehensive benefits package to include retirement plans, medical, dental, vision, and a variety of other options. Available leave includes vacation, sick time, personal time, and volunteer/service leave. State employees are eligible for discounted travel, banking, legal and retail services, among others. To view more information about our benefits, please visit https://cnu.edu/hr/benefits/.

Role Code
69151

Conditions of Employment

• This is a classified position. New and returning classified employees are required to complete a 12-month probationary period.
• Selected candidate must attend a 2-day New Employee Orientation Program.
• Ability to work rotating shifts to include nights, weekends, and holidays
• Must be available to work during inclement weather and other emergency situations.
• Ability to successfully complete training courses related to emergency response communication

Is this position telework eligible?
No

Telework Eligibility Disclaimer

Physical/Cognitive Requirements

Light Lifting (less than 20 lbs.)
Essential

Moderate Lifting (20-50 lbs.)
Essential

Heavy Lifting (more than 50 lbs.)
Non-Applicable

Pushing/Pulling
Non-Applicable

Standing
Marginal

Sitting
Essential

Bending
Marginal

Walking
Non-Applicable

Climbing
Non-Applicable

Reaching
Essential

Repetitive Motion
Essential

List other physical requirements

Emotional Demands

Fast Pace
Essential

Average Pace
Essential

Multiple Priorities
Essential

Intense Customer Interaction
Essential

Multiple Stimuli
Essential

Frequency Changes
Essential

Mental/Sensory Demands

Memory
Essential

Reasoning
Essential

Hearing
Essential

Reading
Essential

Analyzing
Essential

Logic
Essential

Verbal Communication
Essential

Written Communication
Essential

List other mental/sensory requirements

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
PS1218P

Number of Vacancies
1

Posting Date
05/05/2026

Closing Date
05/26/2026

Open Until Filled
No

Special Instructions to Applicants

CNU will only accept online applications through the jobs.cnu.edu website. Online applications must be received by midnight on the closing date indicated in a job announcement. Faxed, emailed, hand-delivered or mailed applications and attachments will NOT be accepted. Applicants are welcome to complete an online application by using computers located in the Office of Human Resources. Address: CNU North - 321 Hiden Boulevard, Suite 101, Newport News, VA 23606. Public computers are also available in nearby libraries and at the Virginia Employment Commission. Address: 600 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, VA 23666 (M-F 9am-4:30pm).

In order to be considered for this position, your application must provide evidence of experience and/or education supporting the requirements outlined in the posting. We encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. *Responses to supplemental questions alone are not considered evidence of experience and/or education.

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting
https://jobs.cnu.edu/postings/20710

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EEO/Diversity Statement(s)

Christopher Newport University, an EO Employer, is fully Committed to Access and Opportunity.

Notice of Non-Discrimination & Title IX Policy Statement

Reasonable Accommodation Request

Christopher Newport University (CNU) will make a reasonable effort to accommodate persons with disabilities in the application and/or interview process. Persons with disabilities who require accommodation should contact the CNU Human Resources Office by calling (757) 594-7145.

Alternative Hiring Process

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth's Alternative Hiring Process.

To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to upload an approved AHP Letter received from the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or from the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI) to their applications.
Note: Certificates of Disability provided by DARS or DBVI dated April 1, 2022, through February 29, 2024, will still be accepted as applicable for the AHP. The name change to AHP Letter became effective March 1, 2024.

Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their AHP Letter.

Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letteror by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Background Check

Applicant finalists are required to complete a CNU sponsored background check. After accepting employment, individuals are required to complete a USCIS Form I-9 (employment eligibility verification) and present documentation from the USCIS List of Acceptable Documents that establishes both their identity and employment authorization to work in the United States. The provided documents will be verified through the Department of Homeland Security E-Verify website.