Emergency Communications Manager

County of Monterey; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Monterey is seeking an Emergency Communications Manager to lead the 24/7 emergency and non-emergency dispatch operations within the Emergency Communications Department. The role guides staff, coordinates incidents, and ensures high standard service across law enforcement, fire, and medical communications.

Ideal candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 3+ years in emergency communications with at least 2 years in supervisory roles, and readiness to engage in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree requirement or equivalent
• Three+ years of broad emergency communications dispatching experience
• Two+ years in supervisory/management roles

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and supervise the work of assigned staff; train employees on program policies, procedures, methods, and techniques.
• Ensure adequate dispatch staffing according to minimum staffing policies.
• Conduct and supervise operational and administrative studies of services or acquisitions to improve efficiency.
• Coordinate multiple emergency events and determine dispatch priorities.
• Serve as liaison to client agencies to ensure policies and guidelines are followed and service levels are met.
• Develop and implement program goals, policies, and training curricula balancing mandated services and client needs.

Skills

Staff supervision

Emergency coordination

Decision making

Program management

Interagency collaboration

Communication

Problem analysis

Policy interpretation

On-call leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, or related field

Job description

Open Until Filled

Priority Screening Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026

Exam #: 26/14M13/08LC

The County of Monterey invites qualified emergency communications professionals to apply for the position of Emergency Communications Manager with the Emergency Communications Department (ECD).

The Emergency Communications Manager is one of three manager positions serving as key members of the Department’s leadership team and reporting to the Assistant Director and Director. Together, the managers share responsibility for the effective management of ECD’s consolidated 24/7 emergency and non-emergency communications operations.

Each manager provides leadership and oversight for law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical communications and may also be assigned responsibility for administration, training and workforce development, technology, and other departmental programs. Areas of responsibility may overlap or rotate among the three managers based on departmental priorities, organizational needs, and the experience and strengths of the management team. Managers are expected to work collaboratively across all operational and administrative areas, lead or support responsibilities outside their primary assignments, and participate in rotating after-hours on-call coverage.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced emergency communications professional who is prepared to lead in a complex, fast-paced public safety environment. ECD is committed to leadership development and succession planning. With anticipated leadership transitions in the coming years, individuals who demonstrate strong performance, leadership capacity, and a commitment to the Department’s long-term success may have meaningful opportunities to assume greater responsibility and advance within the organization. The Oral Examination will be conducted via Zoom and is tentatively scheduled for the week of October 12, 2026.

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

• Plan, direct, and supervise the work of assigned staff; train employees regarding program policies, procedures, methods, and techniques; evaluate employee performance and initiate disciplinary action as required
• Ensure maintenance of adequate dispatch staffing in accordance with minimum staffing policies and procedures
• Conduct and/or supervise operational and administrative studies of new and existing services, special projects and/or acquisition of services and equipment to determine feasibility and legality and to increase service efficiency
• Conduct incident analysis and assist in solving administrative, technical, and personnel related issues
• Consult with supervisory staff on relevant issues and work collaboratively to find alternative strategies and solutions
• Assist with coordination of multiple emergency situations and major incidents, determine dispatch priorities of simultaneous events, act as an on-line supervisory dispatcher only when necessary, during critical emergency situations
• Act as a liaison to client agencies to ensure all appropriate policies, procedures, and guidelines are followed and operate under expected and/or contractual levels of service
• Direct, coordinate, and participate in the development and implementation of program goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities that balance both mandated services and client needs
• May act on behalf of the Assistant Director of Emergency Communications in their absence

To view the complete classification description, please visit the County of Monterey website: Emergency Communications Manager

Thorough Knowledge of

• Principles, practices, and terminology of functional communication systems related to emergency communications
• Principles and techniques of program management
• The operation of emergency communications computer systems, video display terminals, radio dispatch consoles, enhanced 9-1-1 telephone systems, and other related emergency communications equipment
• Practices and procedures in incident reporting, analysis, evaluation, and disposition
• Pertinent local, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and enforcement procedures pertaining to the field of emergency communications and County government

Working knowledge of

• Personnel management principles and techniques, including supervision, evaluation, discipline, training, and staff development
• Principles involving effective customer service and interpersonal communications
• Organizational and leadership philosophies and practices
• Primary roads, streets, highways, areas, major buildings, public facilities, general topography, and demographics of Monterey County
• The general operations of fire, law enforcement, medical and other public safety user agency operations

Skill and ability to

• Supervise, direct, and evaluate the work of others
• Coordinate multiple events and emergency responses
• Use available information and resources to make sound operation and administrative decisions
• Acquire subject matter expertise in the assigned function and activities in the Emergency Communications Department including but not limited to, laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, procedures, and technical operations
• Analyze, interpret, develop, and implement assigned program policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and training curricula
• Integrate a variety of activities and services to achieve program short and long term goals, objectives, and priorities
• Analyze situations and problems, identify alternative solutions, and take appropriate actions under general policy guidelines
• Apply principles and techniques of program management
• Maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

Education

Graduation from an accredited college, university, or equivalent institution, with a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.

Experience

Three (3) years or more of broad and progressively responsible emergency communications dispatching experience or a closely related field, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory and/or management level.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Be available to work irregular and unusual work schedules as required to effectively help manage a 24-hour, 7-day per week emergency dispatch system and emergency response program
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority
• Successfully pass a background investigation.

Physical and Sensory Requirements for this position may include:

• Be able to work under unusual and/or adverse physical, mental, and/or sensory conditions during emergency response (i.e., prolonged stressful emergency/disaster situations)

BENEFITS

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Unit X Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The County of Monterey is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. The County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact Laura Carucci, Human Resources Analyst, at [phone].