Deputy Communications Director

Knox Regional Communications Center; Rockland (ME); Presencial; USD 67.000 - 94.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Knox Regional Communications Center in Rockland, Maine, is seeking a Deputy Communications Director who will assist the Communications Director, work with first responders, and lead dispatch staff in a fast-paced public safety environment.

The role emphasizes leadership, HR functions, training, policy development, budgeting, and liaison with local, state, and federal agencies. This is a 24/7 operation with a flexible schedule and a strong commitment to service.

Formación

• Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred in criminal justice, public administration, communications.
• High school diploma with a 2-year technical/business degree or equivalent required.
• Minimum of three years of progressive supervisory or managerial experience, preferably in public safety or emergency communications.

Responsabilidades

• Assists the Director in planning and carrying out County communications and dispatch activities.
• Coordinates with law enforcement, EMA, state police, fire, EMS, and other agencies to ensure coordinated systems.
• Oversees training programs for Dispatchers and maintains QA/QI processes.
• Manages internal HR functions: recruitment, training, policy development, and labor relations.
• Supervises department staff, reviews timesheets and payroll, and assists with budgeting.

Conocimientos

Leadership

Communication

Policy development

Training

HR coordination

Educación

Associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, or communications

High school diploma plus 2-year technical/business degree or equivalent

Herramientas

CAD

RMS

Descripción del empleo

Knox Regional Communications Center, Rockland, Maine

DEPUTY COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR OPENING

Knox County's Regional Communications Center is currently expanding, and we are seeking a people-focused individual with a passion for public safety to join our team. The Deputy Communications Director will support our Communications leadership team, working closely with the Communications Director, local first responders, and our dedicated Dispatchers.

Overview

The Deputy Communications Director exemplifies the core values of the emergency communications profession Integrity, Respect, Fairness, Excellence, and Positivity while assisting the Director in leading, managing, and advancing the mission of the Knox County Communications Center. This position plays a critical role in daily operations, long‑term planning, and organizational leadership. Responsibilities include overseeing internal human resources functions such as recruitment, training, education, policy and procedure development, and labor relations. The Deputy Director works closely with user agencies and collaborates with local, county, state, and federal stakeholders to ensure seamless service delivery.

This is a 24/7 department and requires a flexible working schedule.

Compensation and Benefits

The starting annual salary range is $67,350 - $94,328, depending on related experience. The County provides an excellent benefits package to full‑time employees, including 100% paid coverage on health insurance for the employee and 75% paid dependents, paid vacation and sick leave, retirement plan options, and other voluntary benefits.

Summary

The Deputy Communications Director exemplifies the core values of the emergency communications profession-Integrity, Respect, Fairness, Excellence, and Positivity—while assisting the Director in leading, managing, and advancing the mission of the Knox County Communications Center. This position plays a critical role in daily operations, long‑term planning, and organizational leadership. Responsibilities include overseeing internal human resources functions such as recruitment, training, education, policy and procedure development, and labor relations. The Deputy Director works closely with user agencies and collaborates with local, county, state, and federal stakeholders to ensure seamless service delivery.

Essential Functions

• Assists the Director in planning and carrying out all County communications and dispatch activities.
• Confers as necessary with law enforcement agencies, EMA, state police, fire, EMS contract communities, and other agencies to ensure activities are an integral and coordinated part of the overall systems.
• Works closely with the Communications Executive Board and User Group, acting as a proactive operational liaison to municipal police, fire, and EMS chiefs.
• Initiates and coordinates an ongoing, comprehensive employee training program to ensure all staff achieve required certifications and maintain competence on all systems, policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Develops, organizes, and conducts training and technical assistance programs for Dispatchers.
• Oversees quality assurance policies and standards to maintain an effective and current QA/QI program, implementing audit processes to document effectiveness.
• Coordinates department work schedules to ensure shift supervisors have properly staffed the
• Assists the Director by managing all financial functions of the department budget and identifying unusual spending needs.
• Reviews and approves timesheets, time‑off requests, and weekly payroll to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Maximizes department performance, productivity, and efficiency by coaching, counseling, disciplining, and appraising individual and team performance.
• Maintains Department staff by recruiting applicants, assisting with the selection process, and monitoring progress through training officer weekly reports.
• Conducts internal reviews of issues and complaints raised by internal or external sources, bringing them to resolution by County Policy or the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
• Supports safety policies by attending required training programs and reporting all accidents or
• Assists Dispatch Supervisors and Dispatchers with day‑to‑day challenges and significant events.
• Maintains operational dispatch certifications to act as a Dispatcher during extraordinary events, declared emergencies, or staffing shortages; however, this position shall not be utilized to fulfil baseline shift‑minimum staffing configurations.
• Performs various job‑related duties and operational support tasks within the scope of a senior communications supervisor as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

Associate or bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration, communications, or a closely related field is preferred.

A high school diploma or equivalent combined with a 2‑year technical/business degree or verified equivalent specialised training is required.

Minimum of three (3) years of progressive experience in a supervisory or managerial position, preferably in a public safety or emergency communications setting.

Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted State of Maine motor vehicle operator's licence.

Must successfully complete the following within one year of employment:

• FEMA ICA 100, 200, 700, and 800.
• National Crime Information Center Terminal Operators course
• NG9‑1‑1 operator certification
• Certified Emergency Medical Dispatcher
• Maine Criminal Justice Academy Terminal Operators Certification

Continuous satisfaction of all annual mandatory continuing education hours (CEH) and recertifications is required.

Must successfully clear all mandated background checks, including psychological and polygraph examinations.

General knowledge of 9‑1‑1 systems, radio systems, and emergency operations.

Ability to exercise independent judgment in following procedures, enforcing policies, and prioritising multiple complex tasks.

Full proficiency in standard office productivity software, computer‑aided dispatch (CAD), and records management systems (RMS).

Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills across various mediums, including radio, teletype, and computer.

Ability to establish and maintain a professional rapport with employees, executive boards, user groups, and top‑level local, county, state, and federal officials.

Ability to supervise in a diplomatic, even‑handed manner and withstand high‑stress job demands.

Work is performed primarily indoors under typical office conditions. The environment involves regular exposure to communications equipment noise and can be highly stressful due to tight project deadlines, incident dispatching management, and indirect exposure to tragic events.

Makes frequent, highly sensitive contact with department staff, municipal chiefs, external state/federal stakeholders, vendor representatives, and members of the public who may be agitated or under extreme stress.

Has continuous access to highly sensitive internal agency operations, personnel files, and active public safety records, requiring absolute discretion and strict compliance with Knox County Government Policies and Procedures.

Errors in judgement, policy administration, or strategic execution could result in severe delays of critical emergency services, financial vulnerabilities, or significant legal liability for the County.

Physical Requirements

Regularly required to sit for prolonged periods, stand, walk, speak, and hear. Frequently required to use hands to operate a standard computer keyboard and office machinery. Occasionally required to climb, crouch, crawl, bend, stoop, push, pull, or drag objects.

Must occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Specific visual acuity required includes close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Must maintain an uncompromised alert state of mind and be physically able to withstand job‑related environmental stress. Upon management request, the incumbent must provide a certified physician's statement from an examination conducted within the past 30 days verifying physical capacity for the position.

Equal Opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act Employer

Knox County is an equal opportunity employer. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.