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Director of Emergency Response and Communications Page 1 I 4 Jurisdiction: Cortland County Jurisdictional Class: Unclassified Adopted: 3/1/13 Amended: 10/28/22; 2/23/26 DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND COMMUNICATIONS DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The Director of Emergency Response and Communications is responsible for the overall administration, operational integrity, and strategic management of the County’s 24-hour, seven-day-a-week dispatch and 911 communications systems, including the interoperable radio communications network. The incumbent also serves as the County Fire Coordinator (CFC) and County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Coordinator and is responsible for directing and administering mutual aid operations, fire-training programs, and emergency-services activities related to natural and human-caused disasters. The Director functions as project manager for all building, technology, and infrastructure initiatives associated with emergency communications systems. The position carries broad administrative responsibility for budgeting, scheduling, contract administration, procurement, equipment and software maintenance, tower siting, and all reporting functions related to the emergency communications program. The Director is responsible for the recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of all agency personnel, and exercises direct supervision over the Deputy Director of Emergency Response & Communications and the Assistant Director of Emergency Response & Communications. The incumbent must maintain effective working relationships with subordinate staff, public-safety agencies, municipal officials, the media, and the general public. A high degree of technical knowledge, professional competence, and leadership ability is essential to ensure the reliable operation of the County’s emergency services. Work is performed under the administrative oversight of the County Administrator, with extensive independent judgment permitted in carrying out responsibilities. Performs related duties as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only) Coordinates and oversees the development, implementation, and maintenance of physical and technological components of the County’s Communications and Emergency Management infrastructure; Provides technical support for radio communications systems, CAD software, and records- management systems; Works with advisory committees regarding tower siting and general communications-center operations; Prepares public information materials and promotes cooperation among user municipalities and service providers; Makes recommendations regarding countywide fire-training programs and oversees Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training initiatives; Oversees and provides direction to Deputy Fire Coordinators; Coordinates with the County Planning Department and local agencies on tower siting and related infrastructure improvements; Assists in resolving conflicts and disputes that arise from 911 system operations or tower-siting decisions; Works with service providers and vendors in planning and implementing the installation of towers and other emergency-communications components; ---PAGE BREAK--- Director of Emergency Response and Communications Page 2 I 4 Supervises and evaluates Communications Center personnel; mediates personnel matters when necessary; Prepares personnel records for submission to the Personnel Department; Investigates and takes appropriate action regarding complaints concerning the operations or personnel of the Communications Center; Prepares, administers, and monitors the departmental annual budget; Ensures the development and consistent implementation of operational procedures and administrative policies; Serves as liaison for Fire Training, Mutual Aide, and Emergency Operations Plan regarding disaster prevention response and recovery; Ensures that system-failure contingency plans and back-up protocols are in place and effective; Administers contracts and agreements with hardware, software and service vendors supporting the communications system; Keeps the County Administrator and County Legislature informed of major issues, developments, or problems; Oversees training and professional development for the new fire-department personnel; Plans, coordinates and participates in advisory boards, committees, and interagency groups; Prepares grant applications for enhancements to fire control and emergency-services programs; Coordinates emergency operations of County departments during natural or man-made disasters; Establishes and maintains an emergency-preparedness warning and information system capable of disseminating timely alerts to key officials, emergency personnel, and the public; Maintains the County’s inventory of equipment and materials related to emergency preparedness; Promotes emergency preparedness through public presentations, educational materials, media outreach, and training activities; Coordinates the Local Emergency Response Committee in planning, drafting, and updating the countywide hazardous-materials response plan; Prepares and maintains records, reports, inventories, and other documentation associated with the department’s functions. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of modern emergency telecommunications equipment, systems, and applications; Thorough knowledge of methods and practices associated with interfacing emergency telecommunications equipment; Thorough knowledge of software systems used for computerized dispatching; Good knowledge of telecommunications operations and the services provided by public-safety agencies in the County, including law enforcement, fire, and EMS; Good knowledge of procedures for receiving emergency calls and dispatching assistance; Good knowledge of the Cortland County geography; Good knowledge of public-administration principles related to organizational planning, procurement, and budget development; Good knowledge of the principles and processes involved in preparing Emergency Management Plans; ---PAGE BREAK--- Director of Emergency Response and Communications Page 3 I 4 Good knowledge of modern firefighting and fire-prevention methods and techniques; Good knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations governing state fire mobilization and mutual- aid plans; Good knowledge of command, control, and disaster-response methods and procedures; Working knowledge of relational database design and use; Working knowledge of public-relations principles and communication strategies; Skill in the operation and minor maintenance of telecommunications hardware, radio systems, CAD software, and related applications; Ability to plan, direct and supervise the work of subordinate employees; Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with emergency-service providers, governmental officials, and the public; Ability to interpret complex written materials, including technical manuals and regulator standards; Ability to prepare and present clear, concise written and oral reports; Initiative, resourcefulness, tact, courtesy and sound professional judgment; Physical and mental condition commensurate with the demands of the position. SUGGESTED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either: Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Public or Business Administration, Communications, Telecommunications, Communications Technology, Information Technology, Computer Science or a closely related field AND four years of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) experience in a multi-agency, multi-discipline public-safety or emergency-response department or agency involving direct hands-on work with emergency-service hardware/software systems and radios, two years of which must have been in a supervisory role overseeing dispatchers; OR Possession of an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration, Communications, Telecommunications, Communications Technology, Information Technology, Computer Science or a closely related field AND six years of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) experience in a multi-agency, multi-discipline public-safety or emergency-response department or agency involving direct hands-on work with emergency-service hardware/software systems and radios, three years of which must have been in a supervisory role overseeing dispatchers; OR Possession of a high school diploma or equivalency diploma AND ten (10) years of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) experience in a multi- agency, multi-discipline public-safety or emergency-response department or agency involving direct hands-on work with emergency-service hardware/software systems and radios, four years of which must have been in a supervisory role overseeing dispatchers; OR Any equivalent combination of training and experience as described in and above. NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational ---PAGE BREAK--- Director of Emergency Response and Communications Page 4 I 4 institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the required evaluation fee.