Director – KITTCOM 911

Description

KITTCOM is seeking a Director for their civilian-staffed 911 center that serves 17 public safety agencies in Kittitas County and handles approximately 50,000 calls per year. KITTCOM provides support and communication for all participating police, fire, and ambulance services in Kittitas County, and assists other governmental emergency response divisions such as public works, public health, and the coroner’s office. The agency operates with a 2023 budget of $3.8 million and an authorized staffing of 18 FTEs. Headquartered in Ellensburg, KITTCOM operates out of a 4,500 square foot facility near Bowers Field. The Agency is governed by a seven-member Administrative Board, including five elected members and two appointed members.

THE DIRECTOR

Reporting to the Chair of the KITTCOM Administrative Board, the Director is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the 911 Emergency Communications Center (ECC), including finance, logistics, technology, operations, human resources, and leadership. It is imperative that the Director is proficient in communication, collaboration, and customer service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide administrative oversight in accordance with the policies adopted by the KITTCOM Administrative Board; develop, direct, and implement the goals, objectives, and work standards established by the Board, serve as liaison and work closely with the stakeholder agencies, community organizations, and citizen groups to implement programs, projects, and solve problems; handle agency and citizen complaints in a prompt and professional manner.
• Prepare the annual budget and present it to the Administrative Board; direct the expenditure of funds in accordance with budget appropriations as approved by the Administrative Board; serve as purchasing agent; seek funding opportunities through grants and other sources of revenue, oversee contracts, leases, and agreements.
• Engage in short- and long-range planning to ensure continued reliable emergency communications for the community into the future, define goals and objectives and make recommendations to the Administrative Board.
• Perform all Human Resources functions; responsible for hiring, orientation and onboarding, training, coaching and feedback, managing conflict, employee morale and recognition, evaluating work performance, taking disciplinary action including termination when necessary; prepare recommendations and strategies for labor negotiations, lead the negotiation team, respond to complaints and grievances, and participate in labormanagement meetings.
• The Director has full responsibility for ensuring that activities are performed within the scope of all federal and state laws; matters of policy are referred to the Administrative Board for review; develop policy recommendations based on knowledge of technical, operational, and industry standards; implement and maintain approved comprehensive policies, procedures, and training manuals for efficient and compliant operation of the ECC; perform risk management duties, conduct risk assessments, identify deficiencies, work with the Kittitas County Prosecutor’s Office for legal review, and recommend and implement changes to reduce risk and minimize exposure to liability.
• Oversee Kittcom’s information systems and communication technology including:
  • Serve as a technical adviser, which may include systems design and integration, equipment selection, and planning for improvements to existing systems, and provide additional or expanded contemporary services.
  • Ensure compliance with security and operational standards in the use and administration of technology networks, databases, other related dispatch programs, and enhanced 9-1-1 services.
  • Oversee the contracted standard and preventive maintenance of KITTCOM’s communications-related inventory.
  • Research new and available technology.
• Ensure proper preparation and maintenance of records and reports; respond to public records requests.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This is a representative sample—not to imply a complete listing of responsibilities and tasks.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

The Director reports to the Chair of the KITTCOM Administrative Board and works under the general direction of the Board in planning, organizing, staffing, and directing the operations of KITTCOM to ensure efficient and professional emergency dispatch services to the public and each public safety agency that relies on KITTCOM’s services.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in communications, emergency management, public administration, or another related field. A combination of additional or specialty training and/or experience may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement.
• Previous experience working in an emergency services environment.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Current and valid driver’s license.
• First Aid/CPR/AED certification, or ability to obtain within six (6) months.
• A criminal history and background check, including fingerprinting, will be performed on qualified candidates, who must be able to meet requirements for Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) certification.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous Administrator or Director of a 911 communications center
• Bilingual English/Spanish

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of:
  • Emergency police, fire, and EMS dispatch systems.
  • Technology and telecommunications systems.
  • Human Resources laws and best practices, employee/labor relations, collective bargaining.
  • Basic accounting methods, budget compliance, monitoring, and control.
  • Contracts, professional services agreements, purchase agreements, RFP/RFQ process.
• Skill in:
  • Operating a multi-jurisdictional dispatch center.
  • Evaluating and meeting needs of user agencies.
  • Effective management and leadership of employees.
  • Short- and long-range planning.
  • Negotiating contracts, services, and equipment purchases.
  • Communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
  • Planning, organizing, and working independently.
• Ability to:
  • Communicate in a clear, concise, and cordial manner, orally and in writing, with employees, consultants, other governmental agency officials and representatives, businesses, and the general public; relate complex or technical ideas and concepts to non-technical audiences.
  • Build and maintain a collaborative team environment.
  • Administer services in a cost-effective, efficient manner, keeping in mind the needs of the stakeholders and the community.
  • Plan, organize, and work independently.
  • Effectively deal with own and others daily stress situations.
  • Maintain stable services to stakeholder agencies and the public, while developing and scoping future migration to the next step in technological advancement.