911 Communications Manager

General Duties: The Communications Manager provides executive-level leadership, strategic planning, and operational oversight for the regional emergency communications center serving the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Operations Center, United Fire Dispatch Authority (UFDA), and Elbert County Communications Authority (ECCA). This role is responsible for directing comprehensive administrative functions, managing personnel, and establishing critical policies that safeguard public safety across multiple jurisdictions. The position is distinguished by its extensive delegated authority, fiscal accountability, and the complex specialized knowledge required to lead a multi-agency public safety communications infrastructure. Supervision Exercised: The Communications Manager exercises direct supervision over shift supervisors and administrative staff, and maintains indirect, high-level oversight of all subordinate dispatch personnel. Responsibilities include directing personnel management actions such as hiring, promotion, training, performance evaluation, and disciplinary measures, ensuring strict alignment with Sheriff’s Office policies and applicable legal standards. Supervision Received: This position reports directly to the Division Chief. Contacts: Work involves continuous contact with other Douglas County employees, all fire and law enforcement member agencies, County Officials, vendors, representatives of other governmental and regulatory agencies. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (The following examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive) Identifies, develops, and implements short- and long-range strategic plans, goals, and objectives regarding personnel forecasting, operational efficiency, and capital equipment/technological upgrades. Prepares, presents, and administers the division’s annual operating and capital budget; establishes rigorous internal budgetary controls and monitors expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility. Monitors evolving legislative, regulatory, and technical developments affecting public safety communications; evaluates their impact and recommends proactive policy or procedural modifications. Provides decisive leadership on a daily basis and during critical incidents; coordinates or deploys to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or Mobile Command Post to oversee emergency communications infrastructure during major events. Represents the County and the Sheriff’s Office to outside contracting agencies; draft and assist in the negotiation of Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) to ensure seamless regional service delivery. Maintains active leadership and representation on regional and national boards, including the Metro Communications Managers Group, Douglas County Fire Chiefs Association, UFDA Operations Chiefs, Elbert County Communications Authority, Elbert County Fire Chiefs Association, APCO, and NENA. Responds to complex inquiries from municipal, county, state, and regional entities; oversees the development and dissemination of community educational programs and public information. Manages and coordinates the continuous operations of County 911 emergency lines, multi-frequency radio networks, CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch), and emergency communications data systems. Directs initiatives regarding voice and data system interoperability across local, state, and federal networks; manages administrative system access, including assigning user codes and conducting operator login compliance audits. Ensures absolute departmental alignment with applicable Federal Communications Commission (FCC) codes and regulations governing local government emergency communications. Authors, updates, and enforces Communications Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure strict compliance with CALEA, APCO, NFPA, and NENA standards. Assumes overall responsibility for agency compliance regarding NCIC/CCIC teletype systems, ensuring strict adherence to state and federal audits, rules, and security policies. Plans, organizes, administers, and evaluates the comprehensive activities of technical and communications staff through direct supervision of subordinate shift supervisors. Manages the formal and informal performance evaluation systems for the division; reviews and inspects all monthly center metrics and statistical reports for data integrity and accuracy. Develops, presents, and coordinates advanced training programs and long-term career development strategies to enhance overall staff capabilities, retention, and leadership readiness. Conducts complex problem-solving regarding systemic divisional issues; maintains the authority to initiate and conduct internal administrative investigations in accordance with agency directives. Performs periodic operational reviews of backup and contingency communication systems, protocols, and redundant facilities to guarantee uninterrupted emergency services. Develops and oversees comprehensive preventative maintenance programs and strict inventory validation protocols for all sectional equipment and technical hardware. Performs other professional duties as assigned, necessary, or required by statutory law and agency mandate. Consequences of Error: This is a high-liability managerial position where the consequences of error are exceptionally severe. Lapses in judgment or operational oversight can lead to critical communication failures, resulting in the dissemination of inaccurate information to first responders and the community. Such failures directly jeopardize the lives and safety of the public, law enforcement, and fire personnel. Furthermore, operational errors can expose the agency to severe legal liability, diminish public trust, and cause adverse political and reputational impacts for executive management and the Board of County Commissioners.