Position Details
Class Title:
Executive Director, Consolidated Dispatch Center
Bargaining Unit:
None, exempt, at-will, personal contract negotiable at WESCOM's discretion
Timeframe:
WESCOM desires to fill this position by September 27, 2021 but it will remain open until filled by a qualified candidate.
Sequence:
Interested individuals are to submit a cover letter and brief resume no later than July 6, 2021 by 5 PM CST, via hardcopy or email. Candidates will be contacted for subsequent steps including interviews, presentation(s), and tests.
WESTERN WILL COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER (WESCOM)
24600 W. Presidential Avenue
Plainfield, IL 60544
815-267-8300
Apply@WESCOM-9-1-1.org
Purpose of Classification: Overall Command of a Mature Consolidated Dispatch Center
The purpose of this classification is for the management and administration of all operations of WESCOM. This includes overseeing activities of Deputy Director, four Supervisors, one QA/QI Manager, five Staff members, various service contractors, and a team of unionized Telecommunicators engaged in processing requests for emergency/non-emergency assistance and dispatching of appropriate units, overseeing operation and maintenance of a full-service Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP/ECC), and assuming command. The position is also the WESCOM representative on the Will County (IL) Emergency Telephone System Board. WESCOM is a consolidated dispatch center formed under the Illinois Intergovernmental Cooperation Act (5 ILCS 220); membership consists of 9 Police Agencies and 12 Fire Agencies.
Overall Mission Statement:
The WESCOM Team is committed to serve as the critical link between our communities and emergency services with the highest standards of integrity, in a sustained, efficient, effective, and courteous manner, to acquire and understand information needed to protect life, property and the environment, in a timely manner.
WESCOM was formed in 1992 under the Illinois Intergovernmental Cooperation Act (5 ILCS 220) with seven original member agencies. WESCOM has expanded through natural consolidation to twenty-one member agencies today.
In 2014, WESCOM occupied a purpose-built, tornado-resistive, 22,500 square foot building. All building systems are redundant. The building is full-service including a full kitchen, quiet rooms, workout room, outdoor dining area, garage, and memorial garden.
The Executive Director position ultimately reports to the WESCOM Board consisting of Mayors and Presidents of the Fire Districts (which meets quarterly), however, oversight of daily operations is under the Chiefs Operating Committee (which meets monthly).
WESCOM has a diverse staff of professionals. The Telecommunicators are a declared bargaining unit represented by the Metropolitan Alliance of Police (MAP).
WESCOM covers approximately 305,000 population across 452 square miles. In 2020, WESCOM handled 175,250 incidents and 102,283 9-1-1 calls. In any given day, WESCOM answers over 600 administrative calls and places approximately 350 phone calls.
Job Summary:
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned by the Chiefs' Operating Committee and WESCOM Board.
- Remains on twenty-four hour call for large emergencies, urgent intervention for staffing issues, off-hour meetings, and assignments that may fall outside of normal office hours.
- Supervises, directs, and oversees the evaluation of all employees, processes employee concerns and problems, directs work, provides for counseling, takes a direct role in disciplining; conducts interviews, and makes hiring decisions under the oversight of the Chiefs' Operating Committee.
- Coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work-in-progress and inspects completed work; confers with staff, resolves complex/problem situations, and provides technical and managerial expertise.
- Ensures compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures, and Collective Bargaining Agreements; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations, infractions, non-compliance, or violations.
- Consults with the WESCOM public safety agencies, or other neighboring officials to review operations/activities, review/resolve problems, receive advice/direction, and provides recommendations; informs appropriate agencies and management personnel of 9-1-1 or dispatch situations, major incidents, and other problems.
- Supervises communications activities; develops and implements operating procedures within the committee framework of WESCOM; monitors radio activity, Computer-Aided Dispatch computer activity, and staff response to incoming calls to ensure proper handling/processing; works with the WESCOM FOIA Officer for compliance with audio and hardcopy records compliance, directs staff for Illinois State Archivist records retention and disposal; provides leadership and assumes control of the overall response by WESCOM involving major emergencies, disasters, or potentially dangerous situations.
- Oversees the development of long and short term plans, goals, and objectives by way of the cyclical Strategic Plan; develops Incident Action Plans and After-Action Reports, evaluates efficiency and effectiveness of WESCOM operations, compliance and improvements of procedures, and effective use of resources.
- Is part of a management team that develops the annual budget for chain of command approval; monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget; takes corrective actions and/or make recommendations to address variances; works with the Finance Committee, Treasurer, and Finance Assistant regarding budget preparation.
- Oversees work schedules to ensure twenty-four hour coverage; authorizes overtime when required; oversees payroll documents and leave requests; ensures first report of injury forms to document worker's compensation injuries are completed; prepares documentation for audits; prepares statistical reports, grant reports, computer reports, and various other reports as directed by the Chiefs' Operating Committee.
- Oversees and implements staff training programs and staff development; schedules/coordinates training activities to ensure attainment and maintenance of required certifications by staff members; oversees training goals of the management staff for improvements to dispatching, radio communication users (WESCOM Staff and Agency Members), monitors/evaluates performance of employees; maintains training records and training reimbursement grants.
- Oversees quality assurance/quality improvement actions; critiques incident communications.
- Responds to questions or complaints related to communications activities and personnel from WESCOM members, outside agencies, and the general public; researches problems/complaints, reports findings as directed, and initiates problem resolution.
- Makes presentations to the Chiefs Operating Committee and/or WESCOM Board.
- Oversees inventory of equipment and supplies; ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work activities; initiates requisitions for new/replacement materials; approves supply requisitions; makes recommendations concerning purchase/upgrade of equipment and software.
- Oversees all insurance issues; covered inventory, insurance claims, insurance research and policy negotiations, oversees healthcare coverage for employees.
- Monitors WESCOM equipment to ensure proper operations and maintenance; supervises and/or conducts maintenance and testing of equipment; identifies need for repair/replacement of equipment. Oversees two full-time Technicians. Oversees quarterly deep-cleaning, building maintenance and repairs, facility conditions and recommendations for improvements.
- Oversees compliance issues for the Insurance Services Organization, CALEA, APCO Training Program, NFPA, and any voluntary industry standards used by WESCOM.
- Compiles or monitors administrative and/or statistical data pertaining to Center operations; analyzes data and identifies trends; summarizes data and prepares reports as assigned by the Chiefs' Operating Committee.
- Performs multiple tasks simultaneously; takes appropriate action when represented with a routine incident or a stressful life/death situation; remains calm under all circumstances.
- Assists other jurisdictions as requested or assigned and/or surrounding law enforcement agencies for assistance when needed.
- Notifies appropriate personnel, supervisors, and/or command staff of critical emergency situations, weather-related information from weather radar, and/or problems with communications, or other computer equipment. Assists with weather events, ensures upgrade of staff as appropriate, prepares for known or pending situations where WESCOM or its Agencies would be affected.
- Attends training courses as offered or as required by law to maintain applicable certifications, remain informed of departmental operations, and to promote improved job performance; ensures proper training of new dispatch personnel and continuing education. Develops metrics for training staff to identify strengths and weaknesses in the training process and instructors.
- Completes, prepares, processes, and/or files a variety of forms, logs, rosters, legal documents, requests, reports, correspondence, and other documentation associated with the daily routine of the position; maintains files and administrative records.
- Cooperates with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and its officers/representatives when activities are related to investigations within the WESCOM agencies.
- Attends meetings and serves on committees as needed within WESCOM, related associations and organizations, or governmental entities.
- Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new technologies, procedures, trends, and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
- Receipt and acknowledgment of the WESCOM Employee Handbook is required. (Copy available on request.)
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:
- This classification is designated as a safety sensitive position which is subject to random drug and alcohol testing and any other drug testing methods as stated in policies adopted by WESCOM concerning drug and alcohol.
- Performs other related duties as assigned by the WESCOM Chiefs' Operating Committee or WESCOM Board.
Minimum and Desired Qualifications:
- High school diploma or GED required, college attendance, and/or college degree highly desired.
- Certifications in public-safety related fields desirable.
- FEMA ICS 100, 200, 300, 400 required, ICS 700 and 800 desired and will be mandatory soon after employment.
- Functional experience in Incident Command and NIMS required.
- Experience in multi-agency dispatch centers required.
- Progressive leadership and management experience desired.
- Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job will be evaluated.
- Functional knowledge of budgeting required.
- Experience drafting and/or managing multi-million-dollar public safety budgets desired.
- Must acquire and maintain valid Illinois driver's license.
Supplemental Information:
PERFORMANCE APTITUDES:
- Data Utilization: Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
- Human Interaction: Requires the ability to perform in a supervisory capacity over subordinate in a diverse workforce. Candidates must be approachable, have the ability to socially interact with government officials, the general public, and employees.
- Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
- Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information and to present same to varied audiences.
- Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs. Experience with MS-Excel is desired.
- Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
- Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving the direction, control, and planning of an entire program or set of programs.
ADA COMPLIANCE:
- Physical Ability: 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 (25-40 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard, desk, or work station. There may be limited exposure to on-scene emergency environment or a controlled emergency scene.
- Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate visual cues or signals. Many tasks require the ability to communicate verbally with clarity and confidence.
- Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Occasion outdoor tasks.
WESCOM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, WESCOM will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
