Communications Services Administrator - City of Arlington

Tc911; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal communications agency is seeking an Emergency Communications Center Manager to oversee operations, staff, and technology related to 24-hour emergency services. This role involves leading personnel, coordinating equipment purchases, and ensuring compliance with relevant communications regulations. The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and have extensive experience in telecommunications management. This position offers an opportunity to significantly impact public safety in Arlington, Texas.

Qualifications

• Minimum four years of related experience in telecommunications equipment.
• At least three years of management experience with progressive responsibility.
• At least three years of management experience demonstrating progressive responsibility and advancement.

Responsibilities

• Direct and evaluate the work activities of subordinate personnel.
• Coordinate purchasing of telecommunication equipment.
• Manage hardware, software, and technology for emergency services communications.
• Direct the development of operating procedures and manuals related to radio services and monitor training needs of user departments.
• Prepare, coordinate and administer the budget for the Communications Division.
• Manage hardware, software, equipment and technology to support 24-hour emergency services and minimize outages.
• Oversee interviewing, testing and selection of new personnel for the Communications Division.
• Ensure compliance with laws, department policy and standards of conduct; oversee discipline.
• Lead efforts to maintain a positive work environment and staff motivation.

Skills

Knowledge of purchasing practices and procedures

Knowledge of office and administrative practices

Knowledge of FCC regulations concerning radio usage

Skill with organization and attention to detail

Ability to plan, organize, monitor, and evaluate subordinates' work

Policy compliance

Staff scheduling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field

Tools

Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems

MDC

Telecommunications equipment

Microsoft Office

Job description

Under general supervision, plans, organizes, directs and monitors the activities of the City's Emergency Communications Center.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Direct, instruct, schedule, review and evaluate the work activities of subordinate personnel.
• Coordinate the purchasing of telecommunication equipment which includes determining needs, developing requests for bids, and conducting bid process in conjunction with the Fire Department Purchasing Coordinator.
• Approving invoices for payment, and maintaining records of maintenance, vendor performance and equipment inventory.
• Direct the development of operating procedures and manuals related to radio services as well as monitor user departments to identify training needs.
• Prepare, coordinate, and administer budget for the Communications Division.
• Manage all hardware, software, equipment, and technology associated with 24-hour emergency services communications, and ensure that interruptions in service are minimized.
• Oversee interviewing, testing, and selecting new personnel for the Communications Division.
• Ensure compliance of Communications Division personnel with laws, department policy, and standards of conduct. Oversee discipline in the Division.
• Lead and oversee the creation and maintenance of a positive work environment by modeling active listening, motivating staff, and directing the development of communications personnel.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Oversee the radio license coordination which includes reviewing and disseminating new FCC or city rules and regulations concerning radio usage.
• Coordinating local, regional, state and federal frequency assignments and requests for new frequency assignments.
• Coordinating license renewals and modification.
• Support the Vision, Mission, Values, and Strategic Plan of the City of Arlington, as well as the Arlington Fire Department.
• Meet and maintain qualifications for Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) access.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of purchasing practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of office and administrative practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of instructional methods and training techniques, including but not limited to:
  • Curriculum design principles
  • Learning theory
  • Group and individual teaching techniques.
• Knowledge of FCC regulations concerning radio usage.
• Knowledge of computer aided dispatch (CAD) systems.
• Knowledge of telecommunications equipment.
• Knowledge of current word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, and database programs used by the city; also, state and federal computerized teletype TCIC/CIC systems.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, policies, procedures, and guidelines related to public safety dispatch.
• Skill with organization and attention to detail.
• Skill in using PC Software including current Microsoft Office Suite of applications.
• Skill in directing, controlling, and planning operations involving the activities of others or processes with which others are involved.
• Skill in communicating with City Council, city management and other city employees and vendors by oral and written means.
• Skill in communicating professionally and tactfully with other city employees and the public by oral and written means.
• Skill in budget preparation and accounting.
• Ability to work within a set schedule.
• Ability to work independently under general instructions.
• Ability to understand mathematical calculations involving fractions, percentages, and decimals.
• Ability to recognize or identify the existence of problems and generate or conceive new or innovative ideas or solutions to those problems.
• Ability to prioritize deadlines and tasks.
• Ability to plan, organize, monitor, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to accomplish unit objectives.
• Ability to plan, organize, monitor and evaluate subordinates' work assignments to accomplish unit objectives.
• Ability to perform a variety of physical skills including but not limited to filing, pulling, seeing, sorting, squatting, standing, stooping, twisting body, typing, walking, and writing.
• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment including but not limited to telephone, computer, and mapping systems.
• Ability to learn new systems and procedures quickly.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment utilizing knowledge of the organization's policies.
• Ability to develop future projections for budget and long-range planning purposes.

Qualifying Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or another related field.
• Four years of related experience working with telecommunications equipment, such as radio systems, computer-aided dispatch equipment, MDC, or similar technologies.
• At least three years of management experience demonstrating progressive responsibility and advancement.