EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
DES MOINES COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
The Des Moines County Communication Center (DesCom) is located in the city of Burlington, Iowa which is a historic community on the Mississippi River in southeast Iowa. DesCom is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of representatives from the public safety entities and communities for which it serves.Under the general supervision of the DesCom Board, provides leadership, management and oversight to the Des Moines County Communications Center serving the entire Des Moines County region including 3 law enforcement agencies, 1 full-time fire department, 4 volunteer fire departments and 2 ambulance services. Director is responsible for planning, developing, implementing and coordinating emergency communication procedures, communication and system needs and preparing and administering the center’s budget with 9 full-time and 1 part-time dispatcher.
Background Requisites (Education and/or Experience):
Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Fire Science, Public Administration, Business Administration preferred, and two to five years of experience in a responsible administrative or managerial position involving the delivery of emergency communication services in a city, county or state public
service/safety environment, including a minimum of two years’ supervisory experience required, OR equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Must obtain, within one year of hire, ILEA Basic Communicator’s Certification, BIST Certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Certification, and Communications Training Officer Supervisor Certification. Applicants must successfully pass a background investigation that meets law enforcement approval.
All applicants must submit a completed DesCom Employment Application (online at
www.burlingtoniowa.org.), Cover Letter/Letter of Interest and Résumé. (Applicants should not send copies of certifications and trainings. Please list them in the résumé.) Submit application materials to Major Darren Grimshaw electronically at: grimshawd@burlingtoniowa.org or mail to: Burlington Police Department, Attention: Major Darren Grimshaw, 424 North Third Street, Burlington, IA 52601. Faxed materials will not be accepted.
Starting salary range is: $51,272 - $58,264, depending on experience and qualifications, plus a full benefit package.
Closing Date: Application materials must be received and on file at the Burlington Police Department by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 6, 2014.
Search Process and Schedule: First round interviews are anticipated to be completed by June 20, 2014. Finalists will then be scheduled for additional interviews.
The DesCom Employment Application and complete job description are available at www.burlingtoniowa.org.
THE DES MOINES COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, RELIGION, AGE
DES MOINES COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job descriptions are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
POSITION: Emergency Communications Director - DesCom REPORTS TO: DesCom Board of Directors
SALARY RANGE: $51,272 - $58,264
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
REVISED:
JOB SUMMARY:
Under the general supervision of the DesCom Board, provides leadership, management and oversight to the Des Moines County Communications Center serving the entire Des Moines County region including three law enforcement agencies, 1 full-time fire department, 4 volunteer fire departments and 2 ambulance services. Director is responsible for planning, developing, implementing and coordinating emergency communication procedures, communication and system needs and preparing and administering the center’s budget for 9 full-time and 1 part-time dispatcher.
MAJOR DUTIES/PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
1. Directs, plans and administers the overall operation of the DesCom Communications Center including cooperative working arrangements with participating jurisdictions for the computer aided dispatch of law enforcement, fire and EMS.
2. Plans, develops, implements and coordinates emergency communication policies and procedures to ensure accurate and efficient 9-1-1 call processing and dispatching of emergency services to the general public.
3. Oversees the two-way radio and paging systems for the county, including contract negotiation and monitoring, infrastructure development, purchase, replacement, distribution and re-distribution of radios and equipment to local governments.
5. Directs the supervision and personnel administration for Center staff. Is responsible for hiring, evaluation, recommends discipline and termination decisions affecting employees; oversees and assists in the development of training programs.
6. Ensures all dispatchers meet training requirements and are following proper protocols including CTO, BIST, Emergency Medical Dispatching, NCIC and other requirements set forth by the State of Iowa.
7. Ensures the recording of all phone and radio traffic within the Communication Center; retains recordings for DesCom; copies recordings for stakeholder departments and outside agencies as necessary per Subpoena request.
8. Prepares, proposes to the DesCom Board, and administers the center’s operating and capital budget and the authorization and implementation of approved expenditures and is responsible for monitoring said budget and its compliance with approved levels of funding.
9. Directs the preparation and implementation of the center’s strategic plan including the operational policies, goals and objectives.
10. Develops an openly available, transparent (within lawful privacy regulations) and
responsible process for the investigation of and/or responses to served agency or citizens’ questions, concerns and/or complaints relating to provided services.
11. Acts as staff liaison to the DesCom Board, participating agencies and the general public. 12. Directs the preparation of periodic and special reports, statistical, financial and other
records.
13. Meets regularly with the DesCom Advisory Board or their designated representatives as well as the Communication Center staff to review policies, operational procedures, resolve problems, and plan for new or revised services.
14. Participates in an active way in emergency communications professional associations, planning bodies and system development discussions with other State of Iowa, State of Illinois and U.S. government agencies and bodies so as to ensure effective participation of DesMoines County in such matters.
15. Works closely with DesMoines County Emergency Management.
BACKGROUND REQUISITES: Education and/or Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Fire Science, Public Administration, Business
Administration preferred, and two to five years of experience in a responsible administrative or managerial position involving the delivery of emergency communication services in a city, county or state public service/safety environment, including a minimum of two years’ supervisory experience required, OR equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Essential Skills:
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public safety computer-aided dispatching methods, record management systems and equipment.
• Knowledge of two-way radio systems and vehicle communication devices. • Ability to effectively organize, direct and manage an emergency communications
function.
• Knowledge of administrative, managerial, and supervisory principles and practices including budgeting, planning, program evaluation and employee supervision. • Ability to develop and implement policies and operating procedures.
• Ability to communicate orally and effectively to groups and individuals in both formal and non-formal situations. Ability to utilize effective verbal, written and listening communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize personal computers and various software applications including but not limited to; electronic spreadsheets, word processing and department specific software packages.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, develop and lead others in achieving organizational goals.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships with staff, DesCom Board members, emergency personnel, outside agencies/organizations, the media and the public.
• Ability to prepare and administer an operating budget. • Ability to maintain confidentiality.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Duties will be primarily performed in an indoor office environment. Director is on-call 24 hours a day to respond to staff problems and concerns.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must obtain, within one year of hire, ILEA Basic Communicator’s Certification, BIST
Signature/Approval
_____________________________________________ ____________________
Employee Date
______________________________________________ ___________________
Communication Director Communication Operator
Have you previously applied for employment with DesCom?
Des Moines County
I,________________________________________________________do hereby authorize a review and full disclosure of all records concerning myself to any duly authorized agent of the Des Moines County Communica-tions Center, whether the said records are of a public, private, or confidential nature.
The intent of this authorization is to give my consent for full and complete disclosure of records of educational institutions; financial or credit institutions, including records of loans, the records of commercial or retail credit agencies (including credit reports andl or ratings); and other financial statements of records whenever filed; medical and psychiatric treatment andlor consultation, including hospitals, clinics, private practitioners, and the U.S. Veteran’s Administration; employment and pre-employment records, including background reports, effi-ciency ratings, complaints or grievances, filed by or against me and the recollections of attorneys at law, or of other counsel, whether representing me or another person in any case, either criminal or civil, in which I pres-ently have, or have had an interest. ‘
I understand that any information obtained by a personal history background investigation which is developed directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, upon this release authorization will be considered in determining my eligibility for appointment to or continued employment with the Des Moines County Communications Center. I also certify that any person(s) who may furnish such information concerning me shall not be held accountable for giving this information; and I do hereby release said person(s) from any and all liability which may be incurred as a result of furnishing such information. I further release the Des Moines County Communications Center and its employees, from any and all liability which may be incurred as a result of collecting such information.
I HEREBY SWEAR AND AFFIRM THAT EACH STATEMENT AND ALL INFORMATION IN OR SUPPLE-MENTING THIS APPLICATION ARE COMPLETE, TRUE, AND ACCURATELY RECORDED TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE. ‘I UNDERSTAND THAT PROVIDING FALSE, MISLEADING, AND/OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION ON THIS APPLICATION IS GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFYING ME FROM ELIGIBILITY FOR APPOINTMENT, TO THE DES MOINES COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER OR FOR MY DISMISSAL IF DISCOVERED SUBSEQUENT TO MY APPOINTMENT.
A photocopy of this release form will be valid as an original thereof, even though the said photocopy does not contain an original writing of my signature.