Inside Higher Ed
Departmental Assistant (Communications Dispatcher)
Inside Higher Ed, Amherst, Massachusetts, us, 01002
About UMass Amherst
The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land‑grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450 acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state‑of‑the‑art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity.
Job Summary Departmental Assistant (Communications Dispatcher) – a part‑time, hourly role that maintains the 24/7/365 Facilities Service Center. The position functions as the primary contact for campus facilities questions and concerns, dispatching field personnel, monitoring requests, handling emergencies, and managing card access and building control systems.
Essential Functions
Serves as the primary contact for all campus facilities questions and concerns.
Uses independent thinking to evaluate concerns received via phone or the online maintenance request system and determines and initiates the appropriate response, including assignment of tasks for maintenance, custodial and contractor personnel, emergency procedures, and notification of affected students, faculty, and staff.
Responds promptly to emergency situations, coordinating facilities personnel response.
Relays maintenance trouble calls to field personnel and communicates request details to appropriate agencies, including Facilities & Campus Services, UMPD, Johnson Controls, Otis Elevator, Simplex and UMass EH&S.
Manages off‑hour access control, verifying identities and dispatching staff to grant access.
Maintains the card access system and monitors health and safety, including confined space, EH+S F1, Watch Tour, and Fire Alarm response.
Executes campus‑wide emergency communication and internal Facilities leadership communication through computerized notification systems.
Monitors building control system alarms (Metasys, etc.) and notifies appropriate campus personnel of situations.
Creates activity and analysis reports related to facilities maintenance activities via CMMS and online service logs.
Prepares correspondence, reports, charts, graphs, forms, and financial data using computers and associated software.
Collaborates in training new full‑time staff on protocols, processes, and responsibilities.
Contributes to operational effectiveness by reviewing and modifying policies and procedures as a member of the Facilities and Campus Services Operational Services team.
Works shifts as assigned, including weekends and holidays.
Other Functions
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
High School diploma or equivalent.
Ability to speak, read, and write the English language clearly and concisely.
At least one year of customer service experience.
At least one year of office experience.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to foster and maintain harmonious relationships with customers.
Ability to work under pressure in a fast‑paced environment, multitask, think critically, and solve problems.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in responding promptly to emergency situations for dispatching personnel and escalating to leadership.
Ability to understand and communicate work‑related repair and maintenance information.
Experience handling confidential information with discretion.
Organizational skills to plan and complete work assignments with minimal direction.
Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, including word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and online file storage.
Willingness to accept new projects or tasks and work independently.
Physical Demands / Working Conditions
Work is performed in a typical office environment.
Additional Details
This position is classified as on call and essential for all University emergency closings.
Works shifts as assigned, including off‑shift, weekends, and holidays as necessary to support a 24/7/365 operation.
Work Schedule
20 hours per week; schedule varies.
This is a temporary, non‑benefited position.
Salary
$25 per hour.
Special Instructions to Applicants Along with your application, please submit a resume.
Equal Opportunity Employer The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti‑discrimination laws.
Application Dates Advertised: September 18 2025 Eastern Daylight Time.
Applications close: December 18 2025 Eastern Standard Time.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Summary Departmental Assistant (Communications Dispatcher) – a part‑time, hourly role that maintains the 24/7/365 Facilities Service Center. The position functions as the primary contact for campus facilities questions and concerns, dispatching field personnel, monitoring requests, handling emergencies, and managing card access and building control systems.
Essential Functions
Serves as the primary contact for all campus facilities questions and concerns.
Uses independent thinking to evaluate concerns received via phone or the online maintenance request system and determines and initiates the appropriate response, including assignment of tasks for maintenance, custodial and contractor personnel, emergency procedures, and notification of affected students, faculty, and staff.
Responds promptly to emergency situations, coordinating facilities personnel response.
Relays maintenance trouble calls to field personnel and communicates request details to appropriate agencies, including Facilities & Campus Services, UMPD, Johnson Controls, Otis Elevator, Simplex and UMass EH&S.
Manages off‑hour access control, verifying identities and dispatching staff to grant access.
Maintains the card access system and monitors health and safety, including confined space, EH+S F1, Watch Tour, and Fire Alarm response.
Executes campus‑wide emergency communication and internal Facilities leadership communication through computerized notification systems.
Monitors building control system alarms (Metasys, etc.) and notifies appropriate campus personnel of situations.
Creates activity and analysis reports related to facilities maintenance activities via CMMS and online service logs.
Prepares correspondence, reports, charts, graphs, forms, and financial data using computers and associated software.
Collaborates in training new full‑time staff on protocols, processes, and responsibilities.
Contributes to operational effectiveness by reviewing and modifying policies and procedures as a member of the Facilities and Campus Services Operational Services team.
Works shifts as assigned, including weekends and holidays.
Other Functions
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
High School diploma or equivalent.
Ability to speak, read, and write the English language clearly and concisely.
At least one year of customer service experience.
At least one year of office experience.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to foster and maintain harmonious relationships with customers.
Ability to work under pressure in a fast‑paced environment, multitask, think critically, and solve problems.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in responding promptly to emergency situations for dispatching personnel and escalating to leadership.
Ability to understand and communicate work‑related repair and maintenance information.
Experience handling confidential information with discretion.
Organizational skills to plan and complete work assignments with minimal direction.
Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, including word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and online file storage.
Willingness to accept new projects or tasks and work independently.
Physical Demands / Working Conditions
Work is performed in a typical office environment.
Additional Details
This position is classified as on call and essential for all University emergency closings.
Works shifts as assigned, including off‑shift, weekends, and holidays as necessary to support a 24/7/365 operation.
Work Schedule
20 hours per week; schedule varies.
This is a temporary, non‑benefited position.
Salary
$25 per hour.
Special Instructions to Applicants Along with your application, please submit a resume.
Equal Opportunity Employer The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti‑discrimination laws.
Application Dates Advertised: September 18 2025 Eastern Daylight Time.
Applications close: December 18 2025 Eastern Standard Time.
#J-18808-Ljbffr