9-1-1 Shift Commander

Erie County, Pennsylvania; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 49,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Pension plan

Paid time off

Employee Assistance Program

Holiday Pay

Overtime opportunities

Paid training program

Job summary

The Erie County Department of Public Safety seeks a dedicated 9-1-1 Shift Commander to oversee the 24‑hour PSAP and emergency communications system. You will supervise the consolidated 9‑1‑1 center, manage personnel, equipment and facilities, and report to the Assistant 9‑1‑1 Coordinator.

Ideal candidates have supervisory experience, strong communication, and the ability to balance urgent decisions with policy compliance. Night shifts, paid training, and benefits are provided by the county.

Qualifications

• Must pass criminal background check.
• Must pass alcohol and drug testing.
• Must obtain NCIC/CLEAN Certification within 6 months.
• Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
• Ability to manage payroll records and shift logs.

Responsibilities

• Supervises communications staff in performance of duties.
• Coordinates dispatch with law enforcement, fire, EMS and emergency management.
• Monitors and directs emergency dispatch functions 24/7.
• Schedules staff, handles overtime and time-off requests.
• Maintains daily shift log reports and payroll records.
• Acts as liaison for problem resolution in the communications center.
• Ensures adherence to policies and continuing education scheduling.
• Disseminates all messages to proper authorities and reports significant events.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Multi-tasking

Attention to detail

Conflict resolution

Communication skills

Team coordination

Decision making

Time management

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

• The Erie County Department of Public Safety is currently accepting applications for the position of 9-1-1 Shift Commander.
• As a 9-1-1 Shift Commander, you will be an Erie County Government employee which comes with excellent benefits such as:
• Health Care, Dental & Vision Insurance – low cost, health care (Highmark or UPMC) for both individuals and families.
• A pension plan – fully vested after five years of service
• Paid time off – first year employees receive 40 hours of personal time, 48 hours of vacation time and 120 hours of sick time (prorated based on start date).
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program
• Holiday Pay – 13 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday (employee’s birthday)
• Scheduled overtime within the pay period increases the base annual salary.
• An ideal candidate will:
• Have a willingness to learn – each employee is required to successfully complete our paid training program, which includes both academic and on-the-job training, within three months of employment.
• Have open availability – dispatch operations work 12 hour shifts and each employee must be able to work either shift (6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. / 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.). This schedule enables employees to work less scheduled days a week and enables everyone to have a scheduled three-day weekend off every other weekend.
• Have the ability to multi-task and pay great attention to detail.
• Always be up for a challenge as they embark on this rewarding career.
• This position is responsible for overseeing the 24 hour operation of the County Public Safety Answering Point, including the emergency communications system. The administrative function includes the supervision of the consolidated 9-1-1 communications center, including personnel, equipment and facilities.
• The 9-1-1 Shift Commander reports directly to the Assistant 9-1-1 Coordinator.

Nature of Work

• This position works a night shift from 5:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. on a 12‑hour Pitman rotation. The Pitman schedule consists of a two‑week repeating cycle that includes both workdays and built‑in days off to balance the extended shift length.
• Please contact [e-mail] with any questions prior to applying.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Supervises communications staff in performance of work duties and responsibilities.
• Ensures the coordination of dispatch activities with law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and emergency management including special teams.
• Must monitor and direct all emergency dispatch functions.
• Responsible for scheduling all communications personnel, ensuring adequate staff levels; includes time off requests and assignments of over time.
• Must maintain accurate payroll records.
• Must maintain a thorough daily shift log report.
• Acts as liaison for problem resolution in the operations of the communications center.
• Must adhere to and enforce all established county and/or departmental policies and procedures.
• Coordinates the scheduling of all telecommunicators' for continuing education.
• Must disseminate all incoming Administrative, CLEAN/NCIC, and/or PEMA messages received through various systems to the proper authorities.
• Reports significant events to key staff members.
• Perform building security checks and report issues with facility.
• The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Daily operations require significant independent action, initiative and good judgment.
• Experience working with the public and applying resolution skills in conflict situations.
• Ability to present ideas effectively, to analyze complex problems and formulate sound conclusions. Familiarity with the principles of personnel management in both a union and non-union environment.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing in a professional business-like manner.
• Basic supervisory, organizational and interpersonal skills, sound judgment, integrity and reliability.
• Work in a multi-task environment; possess organizational and time-management skills in order to meet established deadlines.
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Exercise discretion over sensitive and confidential issues related to the department, and database security and information.
• Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective good working relationships with superiors, peers, and emergency services providers, local, county and state officials.
• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum of 2 years of Supervisory/Management Experience
• Must have a Valid Driver's License

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous 9-1-1 / Dispatch experience.
• Previous call center or customer service experience.

Conditions Of Employment

• Must pass a criminal background check.
• Must pass alcohol and drug testing.
• Must successfully pass all requirements to attain the certifications necessary to complete the training program for the position within 6 months.
• Satisfactory completion of continuing education courses, associated examinations and maintaining certification requirements is a prerequisite for continued employment.
• Must obtain NCIC/CLEAN Certification.
• *All training is paid and provided by the county at no cost to employees.
• Ability to be available on a 24-hour basis by cell phone to respond to emergencies as needed.

Position: 9-1-1 Shift Commander

Department Public Safety Location Erie County Department of Public Safety Status Full Time Starting Pay Rate $26.35 Hourly Hours Per Week 40.0 Exemption Status Non-Exempt Posting Date 10/07/2026 Closing Date 10/21/2026 Pay Grade NB12 Bargaining Unit NON-BARGAINING Posting Number 5893

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Erie County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Erie County Government values the power of diversity in our workforce. Our goal is to continue developing inclusive workforce policies that require individual equality, support the diversity of employee experiences, and include unique perspectives.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.