Interoperability Communication Manager (Department Information Technology Manager) – Police

City of San José; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of San José seeks a seasoned Interoperability Communications Systems Manager to lead complex public safety communications projects and coordinate with regional partners. You will manage multi-agency initiatives across SVRIA and UASI, ensuring alignment with city goals and grant requirements, while guiding teams and vendors.

Excellent communication and strategic planning skills are essential as you work with departments, agencies, and committees to advance interoperable systems

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and five years in tech program management.
• Three years of supervisory experience over a technical team.
• Valid California driver’s license.
• Ability to pass a comprehensive background investigation.
• Desirable: three years of radio and interoperability experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee SVRIA and UASI project implementation with stakeholders and vendors.
• Coordinate development and execution of interoperable communications goals and policies.
• Manage resources and service levels to meet grant guidelines.
• Draft intergovernmental agreements and MOUs to support initiatives.
• Represent the City in SVRIA and Bay Area security committees.
• Monitor systems and evaluate technologies to improve capabilities.

Skills

Project management

Interoperable communications

Radio systems

Public safety IT

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY), or via email at [e-mail].

About The Department

The San José Police Department is dedicated to providing public safety through community partnerships and 21st Century Policing practices, ensuring equity for all. The Department is committed to treating all of San Jose’s diverse community members with dignity, fairness, and respect, while protecting their rights and providing equal protection under the law.

Position Duties

The Police Department's opening for a position of Interoperability Communication Manager. This position falls under the Bureau of Technical Services of the Police Department. This position will also require contact with the San Jose Fire Department, The Office of Emergency Services and the City Manager’s Office. The Interoperability Communications Systems Manager reports to the Bureau of Technical Services Deputy Director and will be responsible for program implementation and coordination of multiple complex interoperable communications projects for the City of San Jose to include voice and data systems.

The Interoperability Communications Systems Manager serves as a manager, coordinator, and liaison to other City Departments and other allied Santa Clara County, San Francisco Bay Area, State and Federal agencies on all Silicon Valley Regional Interoperable Authority (SVRIA) and Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) projects. The Interoperability Communications Systems Manager will oversee the City’s participation with these Departments, Agencies, and Committees. Excellent command of verbal and written communication skills is required.

The responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Managing the implementation of SVRIA and UASI projects, serving as liaison between the City and allied stakeholders and vendors to address project issues, and providing technical and management guidance during project implementation;
• Overseeing the coordination, development, and implementation of the City’s Interoperable Communication systems goals, policies, and strategic plans.
• Managing the allocation of resources and service levels to ensure that City’s interoperable communications projects meet grant program guidelines and requirements.
• Assisting in the development and drafting of intergovernmental agreements, MOUs, and other agreements that promote effective interoperable communications
• Participating in the SVRIA Working Committee and Technical Advisory Group in addition to other organizations to further the City’s interoperable communications capability.
• Implementing programs and policies and evaluating systems and technologies that will further local, regional, state and national information sharing initiatives
• Monitoring, analyzing, and resolving system problems, and making recommendations to improve and enhance capabilities of associated systems.

• Preparing grant applications in coordination with City grants administration staff in the Office of Emergency Services, Fire Department and Police Department to include developing budgets and financial program information to secure grant funding for interoperable communications initiatives and preparing programmatic and financial status reports and documents and agreements to implement the grant funded projects.
• Providing regular updates to the City senior staff, City Councilmembers, public safety chiefs, working groups, the SVRIA Governing Board, and other jurisdictions on project status and implementation issues;
• Coordinating and liaising with local and regional coordinators on interoperable communication issues.

The successful candidate will have solid information management experience, strong interpersonal and management skills, and hand-on experience with systems, equipment and methodologies used by Police Departments.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in computer science, information systems, business administration, or closely related field and five (5) years of experience managing, maintaining, and implementing technology programs, computer system infrastructure and design, network operations, security design, application development and configurations, and system/server administration, including three (3) years of supervisory experience over a technical team.

Required Licensing

Possession of a valid license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in California.

Background

Submit to and successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation as required by the San Jose Police Department.

Desirable Qualification

3 years of radio and interoperability experience.

Other Qualifications

Competencies

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

Job Expertise

• Three (3) or more years of work experience in development and implementation of communications systems or complex IT systems for a large public jurisdiction.
• Three (3) or more years of project management experience in administrating, coordinating and managing grant funded technology projects.
• High level knowledge of radio systems including UHF, VHF, 700 & 700 MHz Trunked Systems and APCO Project 25 Phase II Standards
• Experience in public safety emergency communications system
• Leadership - Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, encourages and rewards risk-taking, allowing others to learn from mistakes.

Supervision

Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices, establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

Customer Service

Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customer's needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently in a timely, accurate, respectful and friendly manner.

Project Management

Ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.

Analytical Thinking

Approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

Creativity

Addresses objectives and problems while questioning traditional assumptions/solutions in order to generate creative ideas and new ways of doing business; exhibits creativity and innovation when contributing to organizational and individual objectives; seeks out opportunities to improve, streamline, and reinvent work processes.

Communication Skills

Communicates and listens effectively and responds in an timely, effective, positive and respectful manner; written reports and correspondence are accurate, complete, current; well-organized, legible, concise, neat, and in proper grammatical form responds to statements and comments of others in a way that reflects understanding of the content and the accompanying emotion; asks clarifying questions to assure understanding of what the speaker intended, ensures consistent communication takes place within area of responsibility.

Team Work & Interpersonal Skills

Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Technology Use/Management

Uses efficient and cost-effective approaches to integrate technology into the workplace and improve program effectiveness.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews and a background investigation.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, please contact Dr. Carlo Beckman at [e-mail].

If you have questions about the selection or hiring processes, please contact Alexandria Rodriguez at [e-mail].

Additional Information

Employment Eligibility

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.