Police Communications Manager

The Position

The Police Communications Manager will report directly to the Deputy Chief of BOA and is an essential executive position within the Police Department. The San Jose Police Department’s Police Communications Manager will be responsible for operating and managing the largest Communications Center in Santa Clara County.

The Police Communications Manager will set Division policy related to public dispatch protocol and will ensure workforce productivity through effective interpersonal skills and adherence to instituted procedures. The Manager will supervise shift managers (including the Assistant Communications Manager), assign and prioritize staff work, evaluate the performance of mid-level managers, and monitor the evaluation process for all of the Division employees.

The Manager will be responsible for preparing, administering, and managing the Division budget. This will include the authorization of expenditures while complying with City protocols. The Manager will ensure the budget is kept within the appropriate authorizations. The Manager will manage all aspects of Communications projects, including CAD replacements and/or upgrades, telephone upgrades, and radio upgrades. This will be accomplished by negotiating contracts, scheduling vendors, and requesting services. The Manager will be responsible for holding contractors accountable in an expeditious and efficient manner.

The Manager will prepare and present department reports for Senior Management and City Council. This will include preparing Annual Performance Plans and Quarterly Program Management Reports that encompass measures, accomplishments, and needs of the Division. The Police Communications Manager will work closely with other Department managers and must possess strong leadership, interpersonal, decision-making, and collaborative skills. The Manager must be able to develop a cohesive work environment.

Essential Functions

• Effectively manage communications staff and work in an environment balancing diverse viewpoints.
• Create new approaches to unprecedented and problematic situations.
• Manage a complex and critical operation, communicate with experienced staff, and oversee a public safety communications operation.
• Establish trust with other city departments and outside public and private agencies.
• Develop and mentor employees, provide motivational support, and direct their work.
• Understand and communicate complex systems to individuals with varying levels of experience.
• Knowledge of modern public safety systems, including CAD, 9-1-1 telephone systems, LMR systems, and Next Generation 9-1-1 technologies.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Job Expertise

• Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies, and federal and state rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of modern dispatch center systems such as Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Land Mobile Radio (LMR), and 9-1-1 Telephone use is also desired.

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, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational support and direction.

Management

• Evaluates priorities to ensure the 'true' top priorities are handled satisfactorily; sets clear goals for the employees and the work unit.

Maintaining Personal Credibility/Meeting Ethical Standards

• Acts in a way that reflects relevant law, policy, and procedures, agency values, and personal values when confronted with ethical dilemmas.

Analytical Thinking

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

Political Skill

• In taking action, demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas in the organization.

Problem Solving

• Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of the problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills

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

Communication Skills

• Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.