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Buncombe County Government

Public Safety Communications (911) Director

Buncombe County Government, Asheville, North Carolina, us, 28814


Job Title: Public Safety Communications (911) DirectorDepartment: Public Safety Communications

Hiring Range: $107,458.64 - $166,560.89

Compensation Grade: 3013

Compensation Pay Range: $107,458.64 - $166,560.89

Posted Internally and Externally

Buncombe County’s Public Safety Communications Center is the central answering point for public safety agencies within our County. In 2021, the Board of Commissioners approved an agreement consolidating 911 services for the City of Asheville and Buncombe County. With this consolidation, the County dispatches for the City of Asheville Fire and Police Departments as well as Buncombe County. Public Safety Communications receives approximately 200,000 calls and dispatches nearly 300,000 incidents annually.

This Director position directly supervises four managers over the following divisions: 911 Administration, 911 Fire and EMS Operations, 911 Law Operations, and 911 Systems and Support. There are over 90 employees in these divisions and they work a 24/7 schedule.

This position primarily works out of the Buncombe County Emergency Management office located at 164 Erwin Hills Rd, Asheville, NC 28806. There is no remote option for this position. The selected candidate must live within or relocate to a location within a 2-hour drive of their work location.

Buncombe County Government offers a comprehensive benefits package for employees, including relocation assistance for executive-level positions. If the selected candidate relocates from outside the 2-hour window, they will be eligible for up to $7,000 total in relocation reimbursement.

This position is posted until filled, with an initial review of candidates beginning on November 19th, 2024.

Purpose of the Position:The purpose of this position is to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the overall activities of the 911 Communications Center to ensure all activities are executed properly and in accordance with applicable laws, policies, ordinances, resolutions, directives, and regulations.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience:Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, police science, sociology, or a related emergency services field and seven (7) years of experience in public safety communications, which includes at least three (3) years of supervisory and/or management experience at a 911 Communications Center; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Training and Experience:Master’s degree in public administration is preferred, but not required; The following certifications are also preferred, but not required: Basic Certifications: Emergency Police Dispatcher (EPD), Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD), Advanced Certifications: Registered Public Safety Leader (RPL), and Emergency Number Professional (ENP).

Essential Functions of the Position:

Plan and direct all operations, services, and resources for 911 emergency communications service delivery.

Develop the Center’s goals and objectives, and formulate/implement communications rules, standards, policies, and procedures consistent with the County’s mission; Identify Center needs for equipment, funding and/or staff.

Develop and maintain effective working and administrative relationships with the policy board and various fire services departments, emergency medical service groups, law enforcement agencies, and professional organizations dedicated to public safety communications.

Attend meetings of relevant agencies and organizations, confer with and counsel various emergency response agencies and other County and City departments regarding communications matters and the coordination of services, promote community awareness for effective use of emergency communications services.

Participate in various emergency planning efforts.

Develop and administer the Public Safety Communications Center budget.

Manage the Center’s communications equipment inventory and procurement; Coordinate and participate in the design, installation, maintenance and repair of equipment, software applications and databases.

Participate in the development and implementation of system and program strategic planning.

Appraise departmental activities and operations and take necessary steps to improve the department.

Monitor operations through auditing live transmissions, master communications audio recordings and activity reports, determining appropriate quality assurance action.

Prepare regular and special reports of operations.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Strong leadership skills with the ability to ethically influence human behavior and achieve organizational goals.

Leadership experience that includes staff motivation, change management, and continuous improvement.

Proven success in planning, organizing, and managing the day-to-day functions of an emergency dispatch call center.

Strong operational knowledge of a 911 communications center and the ability to foster productive interpersonal communication with subordinates.

Experience preparing and/or reviewing operational and statistical reports; presenting proposals and recommendations regarding departmental services and needs.

The ability to work collaboratively with emergency and public safety agencies, and other officials to solve problems and make recommendations.

Experience building partnerships with other county, state, and federal agencies and officials.

Experience developing and implementing an operational budget, including establishing priorities for capital and material requirements.

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program activities and/or business functions.

Authoritative knowledge of computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems, interfacing products, and vital public safety infrastructure.

Experience in developing emergency preparedness plans and familiarity with emergency call processing and dispatch protocols.

Demonstratable experience in quality assurance and quality improvement programs for emergency 911.

Ability to direct and organize program activities and/or business functions.

Knowledge of PC systems, databases, and spreadsheet use to ensure department efficiency.

Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and deliver proposals that are clear, engaging, data-based, accurate, and aligned with Buncombe County’s strategic goals.

Ability to break complex projects into manageable tasks and deliver accurate, on-time results.

Possession of leadership and excellent team management skills.

Is a self-starter and able to drive work forward within an agile environment.

In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law.

Applicants for employment are invited to participate in the affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. We are a company that values diversity. We actively encourage women, minorities, veterans, and disabled employees to apply.

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