Director of Emergency Communications

Salary Range: $98,945/yr - $151,860/yr. Starting rate of pay may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, education, training, and/or experience.

Provides strategic management, direction, and leadership to the staff of the Communications Section to ensure safe, efficient, and effective operations for both emergency and non-emergency situations. Oversees the day-to-day Communications functions and processes including hiring, training, scheduling, and salary issues. Ensures communications practices (e.g., receipt of calls and dispatch) conform to policy and procedure. Implements technology changes within the working environment. Carries out these functions by performing the following duties.#oj

Minimum Requirements

• At least 18 years of age.
• Must be able to comprehend and communicate fluently in verbal and written English.
• U.S. Citizen or possess a current permanent resident card.
• Clean criminal history; any arrest history will be individually evaluated.
• No illegal drug usage within the past year. Other drug usage will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
• Bachelor's degree (B. A. or B. S.) or equivalent from four-year college or university in Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Management or related field AND five (5) years of progressively responsible managerial/supervisory experience in public safety communications or dispatch center OR equivalent combination of education and experience.  Experience in Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), or electronic equivalency, and budgeting required. 
• If this posting indicates a degree is required, the following experience will apply in lieu of any degree as follows:
  • Two (2) years of direct experience for an Associate Degree
  • Four (4) years of direct experience for a Bachelor's Degree
  • Six (6) years of direct experience for a Master's Degree
• Must have a valid Florida driver’s license. 
• Must attend and successfully complete the agency sponsored Law Enforcement Vehicle Operations (LEVO) Training if assignment includes driving agency vehicle. Use of agency vehicle would require appropriate driving history and passing agency biennial driver’s physical exam. 
• Must have current Florida Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification. 
• Must be able to be FCIC/NCIC certified within six (6) months of employment.
• Ability to manage the overall operations of the Communications Section to maintain law enforcement and public safety. 
• Ability to provide oversight to section managers, supervisors, and staff. Review performance; provide guidance and counseling. Analyze, resolve, or assist subordinates in resolving work problems as needed; assist in employee development. Assign Communications staff to duties according to workload (e.g., delegate the handling of complaints, inquiries from other agencies, scheduling, and training matters). Oversee allocation of resources. 
• Ability to attend multiple meetings on a daily/weekly basis to plan long and short-term goals, solve issues, and communicate information to staff (e.g., weekly manager meetings, monthly Command Staff meetings, monthly supervisor/assistant squad leader meetings, quarterly Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) manager meetings).   
• Ability to perform administrative duties to include budgeting, correspondence, and reports. Prepare, review, and edit special project related papers, documents, and reports (e.g., schedule changes, yearly statistics, manpower needs, travel reports, performance evaluations, statistical summaries, etc.). Identify needs and projects expenditures to meet agency goals and objectives; prepare operating budgets, review and monitor accounts of assigned area, and approve requisitions.  
• Ability to represent Communications and the Sheriff’s Office with other agencies, outside organizations, and the general public. Maintain a cooperative relationship with other PSAPs by attending meetings to discuss various issues (e.g., operating protocols, 911 funding, equipment upgrades, implementing new technology, training, disaster evacuation plans, etc.). Serve as a liaison with other agency divisions to establish protocols, policies, and procedures. Provide requested assistance to external agencies (e.g., technical advice and recommendations regarding current operating systems; information on related agency policies and procedures).  
• Ability to keep apprised of changes in agency policies/procedures, Public Records Laws, federal laws and regulations, and Florida State Statutes (FSS); attend conferences (e.g., Association of Public Safety Communication Officials). Determine how such changes will affect the section; advise staff and ensure compliance. 
• Ability to develop and implement staff objectives; approve revision or changes to agency policies, methods, and procedures to increase quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the section.    
• Ability to identify equipment needs and upgrades; research technology trends to maintain state-of-the art operations; oversee acquisition of equipment, software, and supplies. 
• Ability to oversee on-site certified training program and in-service training program designed to develop and strengthen personnel skills. 
• Ability to provide direction and oversight to the Communications Section during major incidents; update the Sheriff and Command Staff as needed. Develop and maintain the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) to meet mandated requirements and maintain operational readiness.  
• Ability to oversee radio related issues and concerns with Orange County Public Safety.  
• Ability to utilize knowledge of Public Records Law/Dissemination and Records Retention Requirements to manage records. Ensure all public record requests for 911 tapes and related communication documents are properly disseminated to the general public, attorneys (both inside and outside), media, and other areas within the agency.  
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from internal employees, citizens, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management, groups of managers and supervisors, employees, other agencies, and the general public. 
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. 
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. 
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in various forms and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. 
• Must have intermediate computer skills to include word processing, spreadsheet, and data base applications (e.g., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). 
• Must have the ability to learn and utilize specialized applications and informational systems (e.g., payroll system, project management software, scheduling software, training software such as ADORE). 
• Must have the ability to support the agency’s goals and objectives by using advanced knowledge, technical expertise, and independent discretion on a daily basis by performing work of a complex, professional nature. 
• Must have advanced leadership, supervisory/management, interpersonal, and organization and planning skills. 
• Must have the ability to effectively lead and work under pressure and deal with upset and/or irate citizens. 
• Must have knowledge of, and the ability to apply, Communications related practices, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. 
• Must have general working knowledge of the various systems and equipment within Communications and the ability to utilize specialized applications (e.g., Motorola analog/digital/encryption capable computer-trunked/conventional radio system, Interoperable Network system, CAD system, Next Generation 911 phone system, and Recording System and software). 
• Must have knowledge of and/or the ability to learn geographical jurisdiction and dispatch codes.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSBILITIES:

• Ability to manage employees and subordinate managers/supervisors in Communications. 
• Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit. 
• Ability to carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. 
• Responsibilities include training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
•Experience in training processes, public safety dispatch, and records management system preferred.ADDITIONAL PROCESSING:

• Some positions, depending on the responsibilities, may require the candidate to successfully pass a physical or other selection processes when needed.
• Upon selection, must be able to pass a psychological evaluation.
• Please upload a copy of your resume that is no longer than two (2) pages in length to your application

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell (e.g., burning wires). The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

Work is generally performed in a standard office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. May be required to work evenings and/or weekends. Occasional in-state and/or out-of-state travel may be required (e.g., to attend conferences, to visit other agencies to view equipment or systems).

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $98,945 - $151,860