Radio Communications Branch Manager

About the role

The Radio Communications Branch Manager leads the Public Safety Radio Communications Branch of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). The branch serves the State of California by providing service, maintenance, and design of emergency radio communications equipment used by State, Federal, and local government agencies.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Public Safety Communications Directorate on various committees and advisory groups including but not limited to organizations and committees on a national level.
• Establish statewide Public Safety Communications policy strategies, directions, and planning for telecommunications.
• Formulate and implement statewide policies and solutions to public safety agencies through the design, installation, and maintenance of reliable radio and microwave communications systems necessary to protect and service the citizens of California.
• Leverage existing funding and obtain new funding to enhance emergency communications services.
• Formulate Public Safety Radio Service Communications strategic direction, goals, policies, and methods to provide public safety telecommunications services development, systems usage, and requirements on the engineering level of telecommunications systems, including redundancy and coverage.
• Establish public safety radio/microwave system performance standards to ensure all statewide communication systems and services meet expected industry standards.
• Develop policy or telecommunications service interaction with state and federal regulatory bodies as well as appropriate state policies relating to requirements.
• Provide Public Safety Communications with leadership, management, and communication strategies to support the operational objectives of public safety agencies on a statewide basis.
• Develop and manage the statewide public safety radio systems and system enhancements for the entire public safety community in California to achieve greater efficiencies and enable greater cost savings.
• Manage acquisitions, master contacts, and service agreements to minimize redundancy and reduce cost for public safety communication operations and manage the Public Safety Radio Communications Branches’ business services functions including preparation of the associated budget.
• Ensure statewide telecommunications training to all state departments and agencies in accordance with federal and state standards, guidelines, laws, and principles.
• Participate as a communications leader and expert in meetings with federal, state, city, and county public safety organization executives on statewide public safety communications issues.
• Represent the State of California on a variety of complex public safety communications issues before state and national committees including the California public Utilities Commission, Federal Communications Commission, specialized task forces, and committees.

Requirements

Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, terminology, and trends in public safety communications policies, rules, and operating practices of governmental agencies such as the State of California’s Office of Emergency Services and the State of California Emergency Plan.

Experience working with control agencies at the State and national level, including standards setting bodies (i.e., the Federal Communications Commission).

Experience in project management methodology.

Experience in communicating information regarding policy, technology, and delivery issues effectively to management, other staff, and the public.

Experience in obtaining buy-in and providing leadership to a large group of multi-disciplinary team members that do not report directly to the incumbent.

Experience in developing and implementing sensitive projects that involve stakeholders from the public safety sector, including cities, counties, and the State.

Ability to effectively coordinate the activities of other organizations that have an interest in the success of technology-based service delivery solutions.

Ability to mediate differences among stakeholders to arrive at satisfying solutions.

Ability to exercise discretion and diplomacy in client interactions.

Ability to lead diverse team of project managers, engineers, and support personnel and provide strategic direction that aligns with Cal OES mission and the needs of client agencies supported.

Proven track record of gaining the confidence and trust of individuals in key positions in the Public Safety Communications client base.

Well developed interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Knowledge of the State fiscal process, human resources, purchasing rules, and an in-depth knowledge of management and supervisory techniques.