LCSO Emergency Communications Director

POSITION: EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

(Emergency Communications Center Special Ops Division)

Louisa County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) seeks a full-time Emergency Communications Director to supervise the Emergency Communications Unit in the LCSO Special Operations Division.

Job Title: Emergency Communications Director
Location: Louisa County Sheriff's Office, Special Operations Division
Job Type: Full-time
Pay Range: $72,000 - $100,000 per year

Job Overview

This administrative position is responsible for overseeing the streamlined operation of the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) and managing employees who dispatch law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical services, and other emergency response teams. The Communications Director provides leadership to ensure effective investment, acquisition, and deployment of appropriate technologies to meet public safety needs in Louisa County.

The Communications Director will be responsible for researching, formulating, and implementing long-range strategic goals, including policy development, service delivery, and regional involvement. The Director must ensure that ECC operations align with the County’s overall public interest. This position oversees all aspects of emergency communications strategies and systems to enhance mission-critical business operations.

Organizational Relationship

This position falls under the Special Operations Division of the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office and works under the direction of the Sheriff, Major, or appointed designee.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and achieve strategic, operational, and business goals for the ECC by fostering innovation, setting priorities, and managing technology deployment.

• Create and implement long-term plans for efficient and cost-effective communication technologies, including staffing and development.
• Advise management on financial and liability impacts of emergency communications.
• Continuously evaluate processes to enhance performance and service delivery.
• Oversee the preparation and management of annual operating and capital budgets.
• Work with vendors on equipment and software maintenance, evaluate new technologies, and oversee deployment and support of hardware/software based on ECC needs.
• Negotiate and manage contracts for hardware, software, and maintenance agreements.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations governing emergency communications.
• Establish policies and standards for acquiring, implementing, and operating communication systems.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with governments, vendors, and partner organizations.
• Represent the ECC through written, verbal, and in-person communications with agency leadership and the Sheriff.
• Stay updated on trends and advancements in emergency communications technology and their impact on public safety.
• Oversee staffing, including recruitment, supervision, scheduling, professional development, evaluations, and disciplinary actions.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to provide leadership that motivates individuals and organizations to embrace technology and manage change effectively.
• Knowledge of supervision, personnel management, and human resource principles.
• Understanding of two-way radio, Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), and Enhanced 911 systems.
• Familiarity with Federal and State regulations governing radio transmissions, VCIN/NCIC, EMD, computer privacy, security, records retention, and emergency communication work.
• Knowledge of statutory and administrative codes, ordinances, and public safety communication regulations.
• Proficiency in data processing, hardware platforms, enterprise software applications, and emergency communication systems.
• Ability to identify and secure funding opportunities.
• Experience in budgeting, business operations, and financial planning.
• Strong project management skills and ability to set/manage priorities effectively.
• Skilled in researching, advocating for, and implementing technology solutions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to present ideas in business-friendly language.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate and resolve issues while maintaining a global perspective.
• Ability to analyze emergency situations objectively and make sound decisions.
• Proven ability to collaborate in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with County staff, emergency response teams, and the community.

Training, Education, and Experience

• Required: Associate degree in computer science, public administration, business management, information systems, or a related field.
• Preferred: Bachelor's or master's degree in a related field.
• Equivalent experience, training, and professional credentials may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Candidates with at least eight years of relevant work experience or six years of management experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, policy development, and high-level organizational initiatives.
• Proven experience in communication infrastructure planning, development, and project management.
• Significant experience in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

Preferred Certifications & Training

• Virginia Basic Telecommunicator Certification (Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services)
• National Emergency Management Systems (NIMS) 100, 200, 700, and 800
• Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Certification
• CPR Certification
• Familiarity with Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system
• Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) Certification
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Certification

Special Requirements

• Must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Must successfully complete and maintain all state-mandated requirements through a criminal justice academy.
• Subject to a thorough criminal history background check with acceptable results.
• Must pass psychological and polygraph examinations.
• Must be capable of performing the job, including supervisory responsibilities.
• Requires the ability to spend significant time at a desk, utilizing various computer systems, and multitasking effectively.

Work Environment

The work environment is a typical law enforcement/public safety communications center with appropriate desk space, seating, and lighting for communication operations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Louisa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Louisa County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with the employer.

Benefits:

• Health/Dental Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

This job description is intended to indicate the basic nature of the position and examples of typical duties that may be assigned. It does not imply that all positions within this class will perform all the duties listed, nor does it attempt to list all possible duties that may be assigned.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. Applications are available here, on the LCSO app by selecting one of the QR Codes pictured :

iTunes App Google Play

and in person at the:

• Louisa County Sheriff's Office,
• 1 Woolfolk Ave, Suite 101
• Louisa, VA 23093

To apply for the position, use the Sheriff's Office Application for Employment links to the right, DO NOT USE THE DOWNLOAD APPLICATION UNDER THE TOOLS HEADER.

Competitive salary benefits. EOE

Equal Opportunity Employer

Printable Applications for the Louisa County Sheriff's Office can also be downloaded below:

LCSO Employment Application