Manager, Police Communications

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is seeking a skilled and dedicated Manager of Police Communications to oversee the daily operations of the MTPD Police Communications Division. This leadership role is responsible for optimizing operational processes, managing budgets, contracts, and human resources, and ensuring effective communication between METRO, MTPD, and jurisdictional partners across the National Capital Region. The Manager will also oversee critical programs such as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and ensure compliance with legal mandates, audits, and public information requests.

Focused on efficiency, security, and effective project management, this position plays a key role in supporting MTPD operations and maintaining high standards in public safety communications.

This is a 24/7 on-call position, with onsite work required Monday through Friday.

If you have a strong background in communications, project management, and public safety, apply today to make a significant impact in the National Capital Region!

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• A Bachelor¿s degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, public/business administration, or a related field.
  • In lieu of degree a combination of post high school education and four (4) years of increasingly responsible management and administrative experience in a public safety communication department or agency, including three (3) years of supervisory experience.

Experience

Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible management and administrative experience in safety communication department or agency, including three (3) years of supervisory/management experience with project management and radio operations experience.

Certification/Licensure

• This position requires National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certifications

Other Requirements

• Must be able to provide after-hours supervisory response and support for the CAD systems in a 24 hour per day environment. Some travel may be required to provide support and assistance for the systems.

Preferred Education

• Bachelor Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, Information Systems or related fields

Medical Group:

Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Mission Essential Designation:

• In accordance with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority¿s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) this job has been identified as critical to mission essential functions. Incumbents in this role may be required to report to or continue to work in the event of authorized office closings or service suspensions due to severe weather, natural disaster, fire, operational emergencies or related events.

Summary

The Manager, Police Communications is responsible for the oversight of the day to day operations of the MTPD Police Communications Division and the MTPD Vehicle Fleet. The incumbent primarily analyzes and resolves issues and improves inefficient processes, effectively manages projects, manages the budget, contracts and human resources actions. The Manager is the liaison with other public safety jurisdictional partners in the National Capital Region (NCR) and ensures that the radio communication needs of METRO, MTPD and our jurisdictional partners are met. The incumbent oversees the MTPD National Crime Information Center (NCIC) programs, including the drafting of policy, ensuring the MTPD meets legal mandates and conducting audits. The Manager represents the MTPD in various audits of METERS, WALES and VCIN criminal justice databases. The incumbent maintains all existing communications software and coordinates upgrades with the METRO Office of Information Technology (IT). The Manager provides recordings and Computer-aided Dispatch (CAD) system reports pursuant to Public Information Requests, Court Subpoenas and various entities within WMATA. This job requires 24/7 availability and it is expected to interact with MTPD, METRO control centers and management during emergencies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manages and oversees METRO MTPD radio communications and emergency operations communications with our NCR partners. Reviews NCR radio updates and changes; identifies best practices and advocates on behalf of MTPD for radio and interoperability resources including bad day talk groups and interoperability agreements between various agencies.

• Maintains a sustainable and strong working relationship with MTPD¿s public safety jurisdictional partners in the NCR. Makes decisions that are in accordance with NCR Council of Governments (COG) guidelines, and understands the limitations of WMATA¿s current radio system;

• Ensures continuity and interoperability radio communication during both normal operations and during emergencies. Effectively oversees, manages and evaluates incidents; ensures the effective processing of emergency and non-emergency calls for assistance from the public, METRO Bus and Rail Operations Control Centers (OCC), station managers, bus and train operators and other WMATA employees.

• Ensures that MTPD officers and detectives have uninterrupted access to the criminal justice databases to obtain criminal history and NCIC information for investigating crime and enforcing laws and ordinances. Maintains Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC) training with MD, VA and the District of Columbia; stays abreast of new and updated information regarding CJIS information and databases; installs all CJIS files on MTPD computers as required by the states.

• Manages the effective processing of emergency and non-emergency calls for assistance from the public, METRO Bus and Rail Operations Control Centers (OCC), station managers, bus and train operators, other METRO employees and patrons. To ensure that all calls for police assistance and support requests from MTPD police officers, detectives and officials are handled accurately and timely, with the least amount of room for error.

• Ensures constant radio or other communications for MTPD and public safety personnel in METRO buildings and facilities. Ensures that the required all band mobile and portable radios and all band consolettes are procured and deployed in a timely manner.

• Represents MTPD and serves as the subject matter expert for multiple short and long-term projects, within METRO and with external NCR partners. Among other items, this includes the constant enhancements to the emergency communications systems, the replacement and updates to the MTPD radio system; the acquisition of radio and mobile data vehicle equipment. Coordinates the implementation and installation of equipment in all MTPD vehicles as well as employee training to operate new equipment and/or systems.

• Researches communications software and hardware products, oversees the bid process, selects software and equipment and receives all equipment shipments. Provides expertise regarding MTPD radio operating programs, systems and equipment. Oversees issuance of equipment and monitors inventory.

• Stay abreast of and monitors daily operations, mitigates any METRO radio system issues experienced by MTPD. Ensures that MTPD officers experience clear communication that is free of bleedover and other interference communicating with the MTPD dispatcher and other officers. Reviews issue tickets (in Maximo) weekly, identifies necessary actions to be taken and resolves issues; communicates regularly with METRO SMNT management and technicians and follows-up regarding recurring and on-going radio issues.

• Acts as the liaison to Motorola, the METRO radio project group and Systems Maintenance (SMNT) radio personnel. Identifies the current and future needs of MTPD to remain in compliance with COG and to achieve the future goals of METRO and our jurisdictional partners.

• Attends on-going bi-weekly meetings with project members; and ensure future MTPD participation with in-building radio coverage testing.

• Participates and represents METRO MTPD at regular COG public safety and 911 Director meetings, with the COG Communications Working group and the METRO underground working group. Act as the TAC and Local Agency Security Officer (LASO) for the MTPD; liaison with MD, VA and District of Columbia for Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) for the MTPD. Ensure compliance with state and FBI guidelines, regarding criminal justice databases, information and connections. Works directly with METRO IT to ensure compliance and support for CAD, the multimedia call logging/recording system¿ NICE, Radio, MTPD Text Tips, Everbridge, and all CJIS operational systems.

• Participates in bi-annual audits for all three (3) jurisdictions; works with jurisdictional partners to secure and update agency agreements. Acts as the subject matter expert (SME) for all things CJIS related at MTPD.

• Ensures that all records and files are properly and accurately maintained. Ensures that policies and procedures are followed; SOP manuals are updated; and destruction of sensitive files are handled appropriately; secure administrative functions with CJIS databases; maintenance of training records for CJIS; CJIS security awareness training for MTPD and METRO IT employees. Information tracked via spreadsheets; working to upgrade to internal database, internal and external audits and the implementation of enhanced processes for the tracking of records.

• Oversees the NCIC Validation process and ensures hit confirmations are timely, in accordance with CJIS. Maintains all NCIC files and records.

• Oversees background checks and records for contractors and WMATA IT employees, as it pertains to CJIS hardware and software support. Responsible for ensuring backgrounds are current and meet CJIS mandates.

• Manages the Fleet Management Coordinator and all police vehicle projects, mobile data computers (MDC¿s) and mobile police radios. This includes the identifying, testing, purchasing installing, repair and maintenance of various equipment. Ensures that the MTPD has sufficient number of emergency vehicles to support the mission of the Department and that all police vehicles are fitted with the updated MTPD radio codeplugs and computers. Oversees that the Fleet Coordinator properly tracks all equipment and ensures that the records in the database up to date and accurate. Reviews vehicle specs for new MTPD vehicles; communicates car wash contract, fuel pump outages and other fleet related issues to MTPD management and staff.

• Manages both direct and indirect reports. This includes scheduling staff, tracking, reporting and authorizing overtime expenditures in accordance with the CBA, monitoring and scheduling trainings, handling all personnel matters in conjunction with METRO HCM policies and procedures, CBAs, and MTPD policies and procedures. Conducts audits and investigations regarding employee actions rendering appropriate disciplinary consequences.

• Develops, maintains, recommends and enforces department policy. Continuously evaluates the efficiency of existing policy and processes. This is accomplished through audits, observation, individual meetings and staff meetings. Conducts after action meetings to identify areas in need of improvement, evaluate current policies and practices and to determine if policies were followed. Guides discussions and conducts after action critique critical incidents to ensure policy was followed and to make recommendations on outcomes.

• Participates in strategic planning as a member of the MTPD executive management team. Provides insight into the daily operations of the MTPD¿s communications systems and their effectiveness. Provides operational support insight and input into MTPD strategies in the areas of crime prevention and emergency operations. Attends and participates in MTPD senior leadership meetings and provides insight regarding critical incidents.

• Creates and implements training programs on behalf of the MTPD and WMATA MTPD and METRO. Receives local, state and federal government mandate notices and continuously monitors for updates and changes. Makes necessary changes and implements revised programs, trainings sessions and materials affected by such mandates. Meets all mandated requirements and implementation deadlines. This includes programs used by METRO, the MTPD and our jurisdictional partners for daily operations and court proceedings.

The essential duties listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.