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Director, Department Of Public Safety Communications

Employer
Fairfax County Government
Location
Fairfax, Virginia
Salary
$134,413.00 - $228,502.00 Annually
Closing date
May 27, 2023

Job Details

Job Announcement

As a member of the county's Senior Management Team and reporting to the Deputy County Executive, the Director, Department of Public Safety Communications serves as the primary point of accountability for the department's performance and provides overall leadership, direction and management for its operations, programs, and policies. Ensures DPSC maintains its "best in class" and leader stature in the 9-1-1 public safety communications industry. Responsibilities:
  • Plans, coordinates, directs, and integrates public safety communications operations, programs, policies, and personnel.
  • Collaborates with county leadership in setting and carrying out the county's vision, mission, and objectives for the department.
  • Advises and guides the County Executive, Deputy County Executive, Police Chief, Fire Chief, and the Emergency Management Coordinator on strategic public safety communications operations, policies, technology, and programs.
  • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with county officials, employee groups, and employee associations; interacts with community, resident, and faith-based organizations.
  • Represents the county and participates in local, regional, state, and national organizations regarding a wide range of public safety communications matters.
  • With department managers, develops, implements, and monitors work plans, operations, policies, standard operating procedures, and long-range strategic plans; and sets goals for the department.
  • Directs the development and implementation of long-range technology plans; plans, directs, manages and/or coordinates the acquisition, design, operation, enhancement, and maintenance of information technology systems.
  • Provides fiscal oversight and prepares budget estimates and controls expenditures of all departmental funds. Secures and oversees resources for the efficient and effective operation of the department..
For more information on Fairfax County and this position, please click here to download a pdf.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)
  • Plans, coordinates, directs, and integrates operations and personnel of the Department of Public Safety Communications;
  • Serves as the primary point of accountability for the Department's performance;
  • Works closely with County leadership in setting and carrying out the County's vision, mission, and objectives for the Department;
  • Provides advice and guidance to the County Executive, Deputy County Executive, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Emergency Management Coordinator, and other County officials on Department of Public Safety Communications operations and programs;
  • In conjunction with subordinate managers, develops, implements, and monitors work plans to achieve the Department's mission, goals, and performance measures;
  • Conducts long-range, strategic planning and sets goals for the Department;
  • Provides vision, direction, and subject matter expertise in the field of 9-1-1 and public safety communication operations;
  • Serves as a member of the County's Senior Management Team and the Deputy County Executive's senior management team;
  • Integrates activities with all agencies of Fairfax County Government; local, regional, state, and federal agencies; partners; volunteers; and the private sector through enhanced partnerships;
  • Provides sustained and effective operation of the Department;
  • Participates in the development of intergovernmental agency contracts and agreements for emergency communications services;
  • Establishes and maintains an effective working relationship with the Office of the County Executive, Police Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Office of Emergency Management, Department of Information Technology, and other County agencies;
  • Builds and maintains effective client relationships;
  • Participates, as deemed necessary, in local, regional, state, and national organizations regarding a wide range of public safety communications issues;
  • Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates performance of assigned staff, providing coaching for performance improvement and development;
  • Provides clear direction and supervision to direct reports, utilizing a participative management style;
  • Provides leadership and participates in programs and activities that promote workplace diversity and a work environment that promotes positive employee relations;
  • Manages operational readiness of the Department by oversight of recruitment and hiring efforts to ensure proper staffing levels;
  • Reviews and analyzes management information reports and communicates with employees to identify deficiencies in operations, policies, and procedures, as a means of implementing changes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department;
  • Directs the improvement of management systems, processes, and measurement techniques to improve Department operations and effectiveness;
  • Directs the development and implementation of a long-range technology plan for the Department;
  • Plans, directs, manages, and/or coordinates the acquisition, design, operation, enhancement, and maintenance of information technology systems supporting the Department of Public Safety Communications;
  • Prepares budget estimates and controls expenditures of all departmental funds;
  • Secures resources for the efficient and effective operation of the Department;
  • Formulates and enforces departmental regulations, Standard Operating Procedures, and directives, etc.
  • Ensures that the Standard Operating Procedures manual is reviewed and updated on a regular basis.


Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
  • Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of human resource management, budgeting, program planning, and administration, and the ability to apply them;
  • Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and county laws and regulations affecting departmental operations, and the ability to interpret and apply them correctly;
  • Extensive knowledge of, and familiarity with, operating a public safety communications operation;
  • Extensive knowledge of, and familiarity with, public safety functions and concerns, and of the Department's demands and requirements;
  • Extensive knowledge of state and municipal governmental operations;
  • Knowledge of research techniques and statistical analysis as they relate to the operation of a large public safety communications center;
  • Knowledge of, and experience in, problem solving and conflict resolution;
  • Knowledge of computer-aided dispatch systems and radio communication systems;
  • Knowledge of the mission, responsibilities, policies, and directives of the Department, and ability to coordinate them on a daily basis;
  • Knowledge of police, fire and rescue, and EMS operations;
  • Ability to strategically plan and direct a large, comprehensive emergency communications operation and its personnel;
  • Ability to analyze data and draw sound conclusions;
  • Ability to develop and implement departmental goals and objectives;
  • Ability to effectively coordinate and implement departmental changes;
  • Ability to effectively manage, mentor, train, and motivate employees;
  • Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate the work of staff;
  • Ability to provide effective leadership;
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing;
  • Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, colleagues, employees, community and business organizations, the media, and the general public.


Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Public Safety Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, Emergency Management, Criminal Justice, or a closely related field; plus 10 years of progressively responsible experience in public safety, to include four years of senior-management experience (e.g., director/administrator/chief, assistant/deputy director or equivalent) in the public safety administration and operations.

The ideal candidate:
  • Is a proactive, progressive, and visionary leader with a successful track record of increasingly responsible experience in public safety communications and has extensive command staff/senior-management level experience in administering, managing, and operating a large 9-1-1 public safety communications center.
  • Has four or more years of experience in labor management relations and strategies, to include the ability to build strong relationships and interact with employee groups in the public sector.
  • Has strong expertise in congressional mandates and local, regional, state, and federal rules and regulations that govern 9-1-1 public safety communications services.
  • Is a customer-focused individual with strong interpersonal skills and proven experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships by collaborating with county executive leadership, public safety agencies and partners, governing boards, employee associations, employee groups, and community, residentm and faith-based organizations.
  • is committed to the county's residents and models entrepreneurship and strategic thinking; cultivates the development and professional growth of staff and creates a culture of engagement and innovation.
  • Is certified as an Emergency Number Professional (ENP) issued by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), or as a Registered Public-Safety Leader (RPL) issued by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO).

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
  • Incident Command System (ICS) 100 (Required within 12 months)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) 200 (Required within 12 months)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) 300 (Required within 12 months)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) 400 (Required within 12 months)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) 700 (Required within 12 months)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) 800 (Required within 12 months)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, and credit check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
job is generally sedentary in nature, visual acuity required to read data on computer monitor. Must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. Must be able to effectively communicate orally and in writing with other departments and county offices. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview; may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.

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Company

Fairfax County, Virginia is a diverse and thriving urban county. As the most populous jurisdiction in both Virginia and the Washington metropolitan area, the County's population exceeds that of seven states. The median household income of Fairfax County is one of the highest in the nation and over half of its adult residents have four-year college degrees or more educational attainment. Fairfax County also is home to an extensive commercial office market and is a major employment center.

Fairfax County Government is a great place to work, with a variety of jobs in different fields, great benefits, and an enjoyable working environment. We serve nearly one million residents in one of the largest counties in the country. Our talented employees have established Fairfax County as a leader in nearly every facet of public service and have won national recognition as innovators in local government.The size of Fairfax County government and the diversity of services it provides to citizens allows opportunities for personal growth and development, without ever having to change employers. In addition to pay, Fairfax County Government provides an employee benefits package worth approximately 25% of your salary in additional compensation. This package of benefits consists of programs designed to protect you and your family during your employment with the county and into your retirement years.


BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Group Term Life Insurance
Contributory Retirement Plan
Deferred Compensation
Flexible Spending Account Programs
Long Term Disability Insurance
Long Term Care Plan
Tuition Assistance Program
Employees' Child Care Center
Virginia College Savings Plans

Fairfax County's Application Process: Fairfax County uses an online application process called NEOGOV at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/jobsfor nearly all positions.

Applicants who need assistance with the online application process are welcome to come to the Application Center at Fairfax County's HR Central where staff will be happy to work with you to establish an account and get your resume into the system. HR Central is located in the Government Center at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 270, Fairfax, VA, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Or call 703-222-5872 for more information.

For more information on applying, please click here - https://www.governmentjobs.com/home/applicationguide.

Company info
Website
Location
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 270
Fairfax
VA
22035-0034
US

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