Police Communications Manager

City of Citrus Heights; Citrus Heights (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Citrus Heights seeks a Police Communications Manager to lead the Communications Center within the Police Department. You will oversee two Communications Supervisors and work with Command Staff to ensure effective police communications.

The role involves shaping the Center's future, advancing technology, and serving the community with strategic leadership and strong collaboration across departments.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a communications center or similar operations.
• Ability to supervise and develop staff, including supervisors.
• Strong collaboration with command staff and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the dispatch and communications unit.
• Develop goals and policies for the communications center and staff.
• Direct, coordinate and review work plans and performance of dispatch personnel.
• Coordinate with IT and outside agencies on communications systems upgrades.
• Prepare reports and present to City Council and community groups.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Staff supervision

Interagency collaboration

Public safety communications

Tools

Dispatch systems

Job description

Description

The City of Citrus Heights is seeking a Police Communications Manager to lead our Communications Center and serve as a member of the Police Department’s Command Staff.

Our Communications Center is an integral part of the Police Department. The Department recently completed a significant upfit of its Communications Center, creating a modern, professional workspace designed not only to meet today's demands, but to prepare the Department for the technology of tomorrow. For the next Police Communications Manager, this creates a unique opportunity: step into a newly improved facility and help shape how it evolves.

This is an opportunity for an experienced communications professional who is ready to take the next step in their career and play a broader role in the Police Department. The Police Communications Manager provides overall leadership for the Communications Center and oversees two Communications Supervisors who directly oversee the department’s dispatchers.

As a member of Command Staff, the Police Communications Manager works closely with the Operations Commander and other Command Staff members, bringing communications expertise to department operations and helping ensure the Communications Center is well positioned to support the needs of the department, its officers, and the community.

This Position Offers The Opportunity To

• Lead a critical component of the Police Department and have a direct impact on the services that support officers and the community.
• Develop and support two Communications Supervisors, providing leadership, direction, and accountability while empowering them to effectively lead their teams.
• Shape the future of the Communications Center, with the opportunity to identify challenges, introduce new ideas, and improve how the Center supports the department.
• Work as part of Command Staff, collaborating with other department leaders on issues that cross organizational areas and contribute to broader Police Department priorities.
• Serve as the department’s communications subject matter expert, providing insight and recommendations on issues affecting the Communications Center and its role in police operations.
• Build relationships across the organization, working with sworn and professional staff, City departments, outside agencies, and public safety partners.
• Make a meaningful difference in the community, knowing that the work of the Communications Center directly supports the safety of residents, officers, and the community.

About Our Team

The Citrus Heights Police Department is a close-knit organization that values professionalism, teamwork, accountability, trust, respect, innovation, and service to our community.

Dispatchers serve as a critical link between the community and officers in the field, often working in high-pressure situations where accuracy, composure, and sound judgment are essential.

The Communications Center is supported by two Communications Supervisors who provide direct supervision to the department’s dispatchers. The Police Communications Manager provides the leadership and direction that supports the supervisors and the Center as a whole.

We are looking for a leader who is approachable, thoughtful, collaborative, and willing to challenge the status quo. Someone who can see the big picture, build trust, support their supervisors, and recognize opportunities to make things better.

This Position May Be a Great Fit If You

• Are ready to move from communications supervision into a broader leadership role within a Police Department.
• Enjoy developing supervisors and building strong teams.
• Want to have a voice in the future direction of a Communications Center.
• Enjoy working collaboratively with other leaders to solve problems and improve operations.
• Are comfortable making decisions, taking ownership, and being accountable for results.
• Can balance the needs of the Communications Center with the broader needs of the Police Department.
• Value innovation and are always looking for a better way of doing things.
• Want to contribute to an organization where your experience and ideas are valued.

Recruitment Timeline (Tentative)

Recruitment Closes: November 1, 2026 at 11:59 P.M.

Interviews: November 18 - 19, 2026

Examples of Duties

To plan, organize, direct and coordinate professional staff and specialized activities of the dispatch and communications unit within the Police Department; to provide a high level of response to community concerns regarding department operations; to be responsible for the efficient accomplishment of daily activities of the dispatch and communications unit, to coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex staff assistance to higher level police staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Administer, direct, and review police dispatch and communication services to meet organizational objectives and goals.
• Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities of the dispatch and communications unit and staff; recommend and implement policies and procedures. Identify opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; identify resource needs; review with appropriate management staff; implement improvements.
• Direct, coordinate and review the work plan for the dispatch and communications unit; assign work activities and projects; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Analyze statistical data and reports to identify and determine causes of problems and develop recommendations for improvement of organization's systems, procedures, or programs.
• Analyze and interpret results of studies, and prepare reports detailing findings, recommendations, or conclusions and determine areas requiring additional resources and new program implementation.
• Select, train, motivate and evaluate professional police personnel; assist in developing and conducting training programs in the various phases of police activities; assist with internal affairs investigations; work with employees to correct deficiencies; respond to citizen complaints; recommend discipline and termination procedures.
• Participate in the development and administration of the unit budget; forecast funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; monitor and approve expenditures; recommend adjustments as necessary; perform other administrative duties as assigned.
• Coordinate dispatch and communications unit activities with those of other divisions, outside agencies and organizations.
• Provide staff assistance to assigned Police Commander or higher-level police staff; prepare and present staff reports and other correspondence as appropriate and necessary; prepare a variety of reports and make presentations before the City Council and community groups.
• Respond to inquiries from the media and general public; resolve difficult and sensitive complaints; conduct meetings with local media personnel; prepare news releases; provide interviews to media personnel upon request.
• Coordinate the design, maintenance, implementation, and administration of police communications, and related automated systems, working collaboratively with the Information Technology Division regarding technical assistance; work with outside vendors and consultants; recommend improvements, equipment upgrades, and enhancements.
• Analyze and define information processing needs; prepare program feasibility analysis; coordinate diagnosis of hardware/software problems, equipment repair and programming revision activities; and, perform basic diagnostic review of performance problems related to specific police technology systems.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings and committees; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the dispatch, communications, and emergency management field.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform the full range of duties assigned to professional staff as required.
• Perform related