Deputy Director, E-911

Assists in planning, directing, and overseeing 24/7 operations of the Cobb County E-911 Communications Center. Provides strategic and day-to-day leadership across operations, administration, and training; ensures high-quality call taking and dispatch; advances technology and Next Generation 911 (NG911) capabilities; manages performance, policy, and compliance; and serves as a key liaison with public safety partners and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, and develop assigned staff: recruit, coach, evaluate, and discipline; manage schedules to ensure coverage; set goals and performance standards; foster accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure accurate, timely receipt, processing, and dispatch of emergency and non-emergency communications; oversee Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement (QA/QI), case evaluations, audio review, and performance metrics.
• Oversee Administration and Training functions, including curriculum, certification/recertification, and career development; ensure alignment with policy and industry standards.
• Direct and analyze mission-critical technologies and data: Geographic Information System (GIS)/geo-routing and Master Street Address Guide (MSAG)/Automatic Location Identification (ALI) maintenance; 800 MHz trunked radio system and console infrastructure; Computer-Aided Design (CAD) configuration, interfaces, and backups; telephony, recording, and quality of service; Advanced Technology (NG911/Emergency Services IP Network (ESInet), location services). Ensure interoperability, cybersecurity, redundancy/continuity, testing/acceptance, vendor/contract management, and timely upgrades and patches.
• Manage 911 center property and infrastructure: facilities and site security/access control; power/generators; furniture/console ergonomics; asset inventory and lifecycle replacement; space planning and continuity of operations; inspections and preventive maintenance.
• Monitor operational and technical needs; recommend and implement improvements; coordinate training and corrective actions to maintain compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Oversee accreditation and certification programs (e.g., Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Public Safety Communications Accreditation, International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED)/Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE), Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO)/National Emergency Number Association (NENA) standards); ensure policy alignment, documentation, training compliance, audit readiness, and timely accreditation/recertification.
• Support policy development, performance measures, grant management, data analysis, and special projects; lead time-sensitive initiatives of routine and emergency nature.
• Assist with budget development and administration; conduct statistical and operational analyses; monitor expenditures; evaluate staffing models and recommend resource adjustments.
• Manage biweekly payroll for a 24/7 communications center: oversee timekeeping and approvals, apply shift differentials/overtime/leave, ensure Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and policy compliance, coordinate with Human Resources (HR)/Finance, and reconcile discrepancies.
• Assist the Director in developing, communicating, and operationalizing the department’s mission, vision, values, and strategic goals; embed them in policy, training, performance measures, and organizational culture.
• Represent the department and present at County Board of Commissioners (BOC) meetings; prepare briefings, reports, and agenda/budget items; deliver presentations, answer inquiries, and engage with stakeholders and the public.
• Represent the department with County leadership, partner agencies, media, and the public; attend hearings, serve on committees and task forces; participate in community engagement events; coordinate services with Police, Fire, Sheriff, Animal Services, Marshal, EMS, and other stakeholders.
• Oversee complaint resolution, internal investigations, and disciplinary reviews in coordination with leadership and HR.
• Manage Open Records intake, logging, production, and distribution in compliance with applicable laws.
• Maintain current knowledge of laws, standards, and best practices (APCO/NENA, state, federal); maintain professional affiliations and required certifications.
• Assume responsibility for the E-911 Emergency Communication Center in the absence of the 911 Director.
• Perform related duties as assigned; serve in on-call and emergency activation roles as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Public Safety, or related field required; supplemented by five years of progressively responsible experience in emergency communications management or other public safety field to include lead or supervisory experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Certified Public Safety Executive (CPE) designation
• Experience with accreditation (e.g., CALEA/ACE), NG911 implementations, and major systems (CAD/Records Management System (RMS)/radio/telephony)
• Demonstrated success in QA/QI, analytics/metrics, and budgeting
• Project management experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives

Skills

• GCIC/NCIC Terminal Operator and Terminal Agency Coordinator certification (depending on assignment)
• Basic Communications Officer certification
• Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD), and Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD) certifications
• Communications Training Officer (CTO) certification
• POST Instructor (or equivalent) certification
• FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) 100/200/700/800 (ICS 300/400 preferred)
• Registered Public Safety Leader (RPL); Emergency Number Professional (ENP) or equivalent supervisory/management certification

Physical Abilities

• Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds).
• Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.
• Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals.
• Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
• Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.