Emergency Communications Manager

Posting number: 25/26-00182

Department: Emergency Management

Division: Emergency Communications

Job classification: Emergency Communications Manager

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration, Public Safety, Fire & EMS, Safety, Dispatch, EMS, Emergency Management

Summary

Applications are reviewed regularly. Postings may close prior to the listed date.Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately.

Play a vital role in ensuring the reliable delivery of critical 9-1-1 and public-safety services. Douglas County Emergency Management is seeking an experienced leader with a background in emergency communications and public safety dispatch who can effectively manage staff, ensure compliance with applicable standards, laws, and regulations, and has a strong commitment to continuous improvement, operational readiness, and excellence in public service. If you are someone with exceptional communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills who understands the crucial need for effective collaboration in serving the needs of our community, the Emergency Communications Manager could be the right fit for you.

Position is subject to evening, weekend, holiday, split shifts, and on-call requirements as scheduled and as needed to ensure appropriate coverage and maintain operations.

Primary Objectives

Under administrative direction, performs complex work directing and ensuring the continuous operation of Douglas County’s Emergency Communications Center, which provides emergency dispatch services to six public-safety agencies across multiple counties and states of Nevada and California; establishes and implements operational procedures necessary to meet the legal, regulatory, and service requirements of each jurisdiction; manages, supervises, oversees, and coordinates the activities and operations of the Douglas County Emergency Communications Division, including emergency public safety dispatch operations; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, user agencies, and outside agencies; provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director of Emergency Management; provides strategic leadership, oversight and direction to ensure smooth and efficient operation of the center and services to the community; performs related tasks as apparent or assigned.

This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to random and pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.

Supervision Exercised

Supervision is exercised over all division personnel.

Examples of duties

1. Manages and directs the functions and activities of the emergency communications center; develops, implements, and manages work rules and performance standards; develops short- and long-term plans for achieving program objectives and operational goals; develops and implements project management systems; communicates departmental strategic priorities into clear operational expectations for supervisors, ensuring consistent messaging across shifts and teams.
2. Manages and directs assigned staff; coordinates, prioritizes and assigns tasks, projects, and trainings; tracks and reviews work progress and activities; directs the recruitment and selection of staff; undertakes disciplinary action as required; conducts performance evaluations; coaches and mentors team members; ensures appropriate scheduling of staff to ensure proper operational coverage.
3. Coordinates and collaborates with participating law enforcement, fire, emergency medical, county, state, federal, tribal, and other partner agencies; service stakeholders, departmental representatives, and elected officials, to determine needs, make recommendations to resolve problems, and coordinate work; appears before and networks with, various boards, commissions, government agencies, legislative committees, advisory committees, and others on behalf of the communications center; oversees the 9-1-1 surcharge advisory committee.
4. Develops procedures and guidelines as necessary to meet challenges, legal issues, and changes; develops short and long-range plans with regard to emergency communication operations; evaluates and analyzes issues, and recommends and implements solutions to safeguard operations and to maintain and improve productivity; conducts investigations of citizen and interdepartmental complaints and implements proper resolution to any issues that may arise; provides information, instructions and assistance to the public.
5. Prepares and administers the division’s budget; controls expenditures within delegated authority and ensures adherence within approved budget allocations.
6. Maintains operational oversight of the center’s computer-aided dispatch, 9-1-1 telephone, radio, recording, network, and geographic-information systems; identifies and assesses service disruptions, initiates continuity procedures, coordinates technical response with County IT and vendors, and makes operational decisions necessary to maintain emergency communications services during system failures.
7. Ensures adherence to the standards of the Quality Assurance Program as required for service compliance with the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) and Douglas County standards; participates in accreditation process as necessary.
8. Serves as Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC) for NCIC/NCJIS/NLETS. Ensure proper internal written procedures are developed and training provided. Conduct internal audits to ensure compliance. Comply with all state and federal audit requirements.
9. Performs duties of Emergency Communications Specialists and Supervisors as required; provides after-hours management response for significant emergencies, staffing shortages, system failures, and other events affecting emergency communications operations; remains available as required to direct corrective actions, coordinate resources, and maintain continuity of critical public-safety services.
10. Assists the Director of Emergency Management with public education and preparedness efforts related to emergency operations; assists with activities of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
11. May use County vehicle to perform various tasks related to job duties.
12. Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.
13. Contributes effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives, and activities.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, emergency management or related field and six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience in emergency communications or public safety dispatch, including three (3) years of administrative or supervisory responsibilities; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES

• Valid Driver’s License
• International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) Certification in Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD), Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), and Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD) within six (6) months of date of employment
• First Aid, CPR, and AED certification within six (6) months of date of employment
• Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Communications Training Officer Certification or equivalent within six (6) months of date of employment
• Nevada Criminal Justice Information System (NCJIS) Certification
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Certification
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Certification
• ICS 300

Supplemental information

WORKING CONDITIONS
The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands, physical agility, sensory requirements, and environmental exposures required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 30 pounds of force.
• Work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands; occasionally requires standing and walking.
• Work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to receive detailed information through oral communication and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work is subject to evening, weekends, holidays, split shifts, and on-call requirements as needed to ensure appropriate coverage and maintain operations. Must maintain regular and consistent punctuality and attendance.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
• Work has minimal exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1. Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
2. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background/screening.
3. Douglas County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.
4. This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the incumbent. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.