Strategic Operations Center (SOC) Analyst

About the Work Unit:
Vanderbilt University Public Safety (VUPS) is led by the Office of the Chief of Police in the Division of Administration. VUPS is a dedicated team of over 400 professionals united by a shared commitment to fostering a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for all in the Vanderbilt community, as well as the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Organized into several specialized units, our department includes commissioned police officers, security professionals, and skilled administrative staff – all working collaboratively to uphold the highest standards of community-based policing.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Continuously monitor live video surveillance feeds, alarm systems, access control alerts, and LPR/ALPR notifications across campus and surrounding areas; identify and escalate suspicious activity, safety hazards, and policy violations to field personnel in real time.

• Conduct forensic video retrieval and review in support of criminal investigations, critical incidents, and administrative inquiries; preserve and document digital evidence in accordance with departmental policy and chain-of-custody requirements.

• Operate and coordinate UAS (drone) flights for aerial surveillance, search operations, event monitoring, and emergency response; ensure compliance with FAA regulations, university policies, and departmental standard operating procedures for all UAS missions.

• Monitor departmental radio traffic to maintain real-time situational awareness of active incidents, officer locations, and field conditions; relay actionable intelligence, camera observations, LPR alerts, and other time-sensitive information to field units and the Dispatch Center as appropriate.

• Initiate and disseminate mass emergency notifications to the campus community during critical incidents, including active threats, severe weather, hazardous material events, and other emergencies, using established notification platforms and protocols; coordinate messaging with university leadership, the Office of Emergency Management, and Public Affairs to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent communications.

• Perform crime analysis using available data sources, including CAD, RMS, LPR databases, and open-source intelligence (OSINT), to identify crime trends, patterns, and hotspots; produce written intelligence summaries, bulletins, and shift briefing materials for department leadership and field personnel.

• Manage and maintain SOC technology platforms, including camera systems, LPR infrastructure, radio systems, UAS equipment, and associated software; report equipment malfunctions, coordinate repairs, and recommend system enhancements to the SOC Supervisor/Manager.

• Support special events, dignitary visits, and large-scale campus activities by providing dedicated real-time monitoring, aerial surveillance, and communications coordination from the SOC; develop and execute event-specific monitoring plans in coordination with field commanders.

• Assist in the development and maintenance of SOC standard operating procedures, quick-reference guides, and training materials; support the onboarding and training of new SOC personnel as assigned.

• Maintain detailed logs of all SOC activities, incidents monitored, intelligence disseminated, and UAS flights conducted during each shift; ensure accurate and timely documentation in departmental records management systems.

• Enter, modify, and validate records in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, including missing persons, stolen vehicles, wanted persons, and protective orders; ensure all entries are accurate, timely, and compliant with CJIS policies and audit requirements.

• During periods of reduced operational tempo, conduct video review in support of the Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) and case preparation efforts; identify, compile, and export relevant video footage, still images, and supporting documentation for use in criminal prosecutions, judicial and administrative hearings, and case files.

• Monitor and manage electronic access control systems, including card readers, door alarms, and building lockdown mechanisms; respond to door-held-open and forced-entry alarms, coordinate remote locking and unlocking of facilMonitor and manage electronic access control systems, including card readers, door alarms, and building lockdown mechanisms; respond to door-held-open and forced-entry alarms; coordinate remote locking and unlocking of facilities; and execute building lockdown procedures during emergency situations as directed. Duties include executing building lockdown procedures during emergency situations as directed.

• Receive, triage, and coordinate responses to fire, panic, duress, intrusion, and burglar alarms; verify alarm conditions using available camera and access control systems and notify the Dispatch Center for appropriate officer response in accordance with departmental protocols.

• Create, distribute, and track Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alerts across shifts and coordinate BOLO dissemination with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and surrounding law enforcement agencies; configure and monitor LPR/ALPR alerts for BOLO-associated vehicles and notify field units upon positive hits.

• Monitor social media platforms, news outlets, and open-source channels for potential threats to campus safety, emerging security concerns, planned demonstrations, and other activities that may impact university operations; compile and relay relevant findings to command staff and field personnel for appropriate action.

• Monitor and respond to incoming tips, safety reports, and location-sharing requests submitted through campus safety applications and mobile tip platforms; triage reports for urgency and coordinate appropriate follow-up with patrol or investigative personnel.

• Serve as a point of contact for real-time intelligence sharing and interagency coordination with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Tennessee Fusion Center, and other local, state, and federal partners as appropriate.

• Continuously monitor weather radar, National Weather Service (NWS) alerts, and severe weather warning systems; initiate appropriate notification and protective action protocols for tornado warnings, severe thunderstorms, and other hazardous weather events in coordination with the Office of Emergency Management.

• Conduct database queries and record checks through NCIC, TCI, and local records management systems on behalf of field officers during traffic stops, field interviews, and investigations; provide timely results and relevant intelligence to support officer safety and informed decision-making.

• Support Clery Act compliance by identifying incidents that may meet the threshold for timely warnings or emergency notifications; gather and relay preliminary incident details to the Clery Compliance Coordinator and department leadership to facilitate timely and accurate campus notifications as required by federal law.

• Conduct virtual patrol by proactively monitoring designated camera zones based on current crime data, time of day, special requests from university departments (e.g., Housing, Student Affairs), and directed assignments from supervisors; adjust monitoring priorities throughout each shift in response to emerging conditions and intelligence.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the SOC Manager.

Education and Certifications

• A High School Diploma or General Educational Development (G.E.D.) equivalent is required.

• Minimum age of 18 years is required.

• Must pass a thorough background investigation and drug test demonstrating good moral character, a good driving record, and no prior criminal convictions that would prohibit access to criminal justice information systems.

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is required or must be obtained within six (6) months of appointment.

• An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Intelligence Studies, Information Technology, or a related field is preferred.

• Maintain a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record. 

Experience and Skills:

• Proficiency with video management systems (VMS), security camera platforms, and digital evidence management tools is required.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and written/verbal communication skills with the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources and produce clear, concise reports is required.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain CJIS/NCIC access clearance within thirty (30) days of appointment.

• Two (2) or more years of experience in a real-time crime center, security operations center, emergency communications center, or law enforcement/military intelligence environment is preferred.

• Experience operating UAS/drone platforms in a public safety or commercial environment and familiarity with LPR/ALPR technology, crime analysis software, and GIS mapping tools is strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements: 

• Requires light to moderate physical effort; primarily a seated, indoor position within the SOC environment.

• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds

• Must be able to sit for extended periods and maintain sustained visual attention across multiple monitors.

• Meet written departmental standards on appearance and grooming. 

• Must be available to work all shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to ensure 24/7 SOC coverage. 

Working Environment: 

• Work is primarily performed in a climate-controlled operations center with low ambient lighting optimized for monitor viewing. 

• The environment may be high-tempo and stressful, requiring the ability to multitask, maintain focus under pressure, and make rapid decisions during critical incidents.

• Must be able to occasionally deploy to secondary command post and/or outdoor locations during critical incidents.