Executive Director - DU-COMM
DuPage Public Safety Communications (DU-COMM) is seeking a new Executive Director. DU-COMM is an intergovernmental agency that provides superior public safety communications to its police and fire agencies. DU-COMM serves 44 agencies serving in excess of 850,000 residents located primarily in DuPage County, Illinois. DU-COMM takes pride in providing a high level of professional service and in 2021 processed 1,009,306 inbound and outbound calls for Police, Fire and EMS; 275,335 of these were 9-1-1 calls, and 175,594 were inbound 10 digit calls. DU-COMM is also a MABAS (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System) communications center for Divisions 10, 12, and 16.
The Executive Director’s responsibilities include managing and directing a staff of 119 employees, in three departments: Administration, Operations, and Support Services. Administration consists of the Executive Director, Deputy Director Operations, Deputy Director Support Services, Finance/HR Manager, Finance Clerk, HR Generalist, Administrative Assistant, and Executive Secretary (8 employees) that support all executive functions including finance, payroll, and benefit administration. Operations supports three shifts staffed by 3 Communications Managers, 6 Communications Supervisors, a Training Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, and Telecommunicators (87 full-time, 2 part-time), and 3 part-time Alarm Board Operators (103 employees). Support Services (8 employees) oversees the technical systems that include a countywide radio system and infrastructure, facilities, and procurement of equipment.
The Director is responsible for the overall services of the 9-1-1 Center. The Director will provide reporting and analysis, manage labor relations, oversee budget development and administration. Review financial accounting, long-range financial planning, training, 9-1-1 system selection, administration, and maintenance (Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Phone, Radio). The FYE2023 budget is $18,412,084. The Executive Director is accountable to the 26 member Board of Directors, which established an 11 member Executive Committee, comprised of public safety and elected officials representing the member agencies, which allows for the expeditious conduct of DU-COMM operations and to provide timely policy direction to the Executive Director.
The new Executive Director will need to demonstrate strong leadership and professionalism; be collaborative and supportive of member agencies and competing priorities; display a command in 9-1-1 Center best practices; be a self-directed, highly organized and strategic thinker who displays a passion for telecommunications and pursues excellence while providing support to the public safety Telecommunicators.
Qualified candidates will be expected to have:
• At least five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in an operational public safety communications position with three (3) of those years in a supervisory, command or administrative capacity, preferably in a multi-position, multi-jurisdictional environment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree in public safety, criminal justice, public administration, business administration or related field, or eight (8) years of experience in a 9-1-1 public safety communications leadership/management position. A master’s degree in public administration or related field is desired.
• Public Safety Communications Certifications preferred, including but not limited to one or more of the following: NENA’s Emergency Number Professional (ENP), Center Manager Certification Program (CMCP), IAED’s Communication Center Manager (CCM), APCO’s Certified Public Safety Executive (CPE), Registered Public Safety Leader Program (RPL).
• A comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices and regulations pertaining to 9-1-1 systems with a proven track record in a progressive, consolidated communications system.
• An understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by a large telecommunications operations including human capital management, collective bargaining, technology needs, regulations and policies.
• Strategic leadership and relationship abilities understanding the partnerships, service demands and governance models in the region. Demonstrate agility and ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment.
• A servant leader focused on enhancing morale and improving employee retention; demonstrate empathy and skills to establish a positive working relationship within a unionized environment; comfortable empowering staff, building consensus, and holding individuals accountable; ensuring appropriate training programs are offered and supported.
• Competency with financial management and administrative operations demonstrating a capacity to develop agendas, reports and analysis to support the governing board; a performance history of working closely with municipal officials in problem resolution, project management and response.
• A demonstrated proficiency in project management, consistency in decision making, and exemplary follow through on policy implementation and communication.
Wheaton, IL 60187
United States
Starting Salary: $175,000+/- DOQ, and competitive benefits.
Residency within a reasonable distance is expected upon completion of a probationary period.
Interested candidates should apply online by July 6, 2022, with a cover letter, resume, and contact information for at least five (5) professional references to www.GovHRjobs.com and to the attention of Kathleen Rush, Vice President, GovHR USA, 630 Dundee Road, Suite 225, Northbrook, IL 60062. Tel: 847-380-3240, EXT 122.