911 Systems Manager

Gallatin County; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Gallatin County is seeking a senior leader to oversee the 911 Department's communications infrastructure, including radio, phone and CAD systems. You will guide strategic planning, manage budgets, and coordinate with vendors and partner agencies to ensure reliable, interoperable public safety communications.

Qualified candidates will have a bachelor's degree in a related field and at least five years of relevant experience, with strong project management and interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in telecommunications, electronics, electrical engineering, computer engineering, information technology or a closely related field.
• Minimum five (5) years related work experience or equivalent combination.

Responsibilities

• Provide project management and planning for all future 911 radio, phone and computer systems projects.
• Manage financial aspects of 911 technology systems budgets.
• Administer frequency licensing and coordinate radio-frequency related issues with end users, vendors and other parties.
• Maintain system monitoring, preventive maintenance, and replacement program.
• Develop and maintain a system operations diagram with equipment specs and failover plans.
• Lead implementation of system upgrades coordinating vendors and users.
• Ensure interoperable public safety communications with state/federal and local agencies.

Skills

Public safety tech

Frequency planning

Vendor coordination

Project management

Interagency liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Zetron 911 phone system

EF Johnson P25 radios

CentralSquare CAD/RMS/Jail

Job description

This position is in the 911 Department and is responsible for the strategic oversight, technical management, and continuous improvement of mission-critical public safety infrastructure for Gallatin County. Position works with the representatives of all public safety interests in seeing communications needs are being met. This position reports to the 911 Director and exercises supervision over the CAD Administrator, 911 Information Technologist and the 911 Radio Technician positions.

• Provides project management and planning for all future projects related to the 911 radio, phone and computer systems and technology.
• Responsible for the financial management related to 911 technology systems (radio, telephone and computer systems).
• Administers the frequency licensing and serves as the primary coordination point regarding radio frequency related issues with system end users, vendors, co-located users, landowners and other parties.
• Administers and maintains a system monitoring, preventative maintenance, and equipment replacement program.
• Maintains a current system operations diagram to include equipment specifics and equipment failover plan.
• Develop and maintain communication system strategic plan to address replacement and additional equipment, addressing end goal and progressive steps based on a prioritized basis and fiscal year budgets.
• Serves as a project manager for system maintenance and upgrades by coordinating vendors and system users.
• Coordinates all Gallatin County public safety communications activities; works closely with state and federal agencies, as well as surrounding local governmental agencies to design, procure, implement, and maintain an interoperable radio communication system.
• Works closely with user agencies to ensure the systems design, operational aspects and specifications for the system to meet their specific needs today and into the near future.
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate personnel to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Accountable for addressing all the technical aspects of the County’s public safety communications systems, including resolving technical issues associated with daily operations, the addition of new equipment technologies and the integration of new telecommunications companies into the 9-1-1 system.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Perform a variety of other duties as assigned by the Director. This includes coordinating special projects and events, system research and analysis, attending meetings and special events, and attending continuing education and training as required. Attendance of these events and maintenance of systems will require availability after hours. If the County Commission proclaims a local emergency due to an actual or threatening disaster such as an earthquake, fire, riot, flood, etc., County employees may be required to provide services during the emergency and for a subsequent period of assessment and recovery.

• This position requires the knowledge of public safety technology planning, frequencies; public safety operations; theories: radio, phone and computer technology; and the ability to implement programs that crosses multiple jurisdictions; telecommunications, public safety communications, information processing and management principles and the knowledge of computer related software for word processing, statistics gathering, creating presentations and spreadsheets; the basic knowledge of microwave technology and operation; radio equipment and related communications equipment; the knowledge of public safety hardware, including network switches, voice routers, and emergency power systems. This position must also have knowledge of finance management. Position must be proficient with interpersonal skills in dealing with diverse groups and interests while remaining supportive of the goals and objectives of 9-1-1 communications. The position must possess the ability and willingness to quickly learn and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology. Position must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and the ability to perform a wide variety of duties with accuracy under pressure of time-sensitive deadlines. This position also requires the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• This position should have the ability to lead the maintenance and modernization of critical systems, including the Zetron 911 phone system, EF Johnson P25 radio networks, and CAD/RMS (CentralSquare Pro Suite).
• This position should be cognizant of all relevant standards and regulations governing public safety Systems including, but not limited, those of the Association of Public Safety Officials (APCO), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Emergency Number Association (NENA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

• The required knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications, electronics, electrical engineering, computer engineering, information technology or a closely related field and five (5) years related work experience or a combination of both.
• Knowledge of or experience with VLAN segmentation, multicast traffic management, routing protocols, EF Johnson P25 radio systems, Central Square CAD/RMS/Jail, and Zetron phone systems is preferred.

As a condition of hire, the final candidate will be required to successfully pass a background investigation.

Gallatin County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment on the basis of merit and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, national origin, or physical or mental disability.