DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

Code: 06004 Local Non-Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Examples of work

• Directs all activities of the Communications Center.
• Develops and prepares policies, standards and procedures for Communications Center staff.
• Prepares and reviews budget requirements for Communications Center.
• Designs, implements, and oversees rules and regulations concerning communications equipment and personnel.
• Ensures compatibility between communications equipment and Communications Center.
• Attends conferences and meetings concerning dispatch centers and various types of communication equipment and procedures.
• Maintains accurate reports and summaries of communication activity within assigned jurisdiction.
• Plans, directs, organizes and participates in the training of personnel assigned to the unit.
• Plans and prepares operating budget.
• Plans and develops improvements in operating procedures.
• Determines optimum quality levels of service and feasibility of meeting additional requirements within existing capabilities. Acts as a liaison to police, fire, and/or other departments, agencies and jurisdictions in order to coordinate communication services.
• Plans and implements procedures for the acquisition, installation and utilization of various communications equipment.
• Makes recommendations regarding the purchase of equipment used within the unit.
• Plans the nature and extent of the communication services to be provided and evaluates changes in order to improve operations.
• Determines organization, staffing and training requirements for Communications Center.
• Assists, and maintains communication with, local administrative officials in identifying their basic and contingent communication needs.
• Evaluates and determines appropriate action to be taken on matters involving operational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Reviews proposals for communications equipment as submitted by consultants and/or private enterprises.
• Evaluates the results of test programs to measure effectiveness of the communications systems under varying contingencies.
• Monitors the progress of the organization toward stated goals and objectives and makes appropriate adjustments, as needed.
• Ensures that all resources are being utilized efficiently and effectively.
• Coordinates program efforts with other internal activities or with the activities of other agencies.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Five (5) years of experience in the administration or planning and development of a major Communications Center or system.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of modern supervisory techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of methods for operating communications systems.
• Knowledge of the factors involved in the development, expansion, or modification of communication services.
• Knowledge of the actions required to install, staff and maintain communication services.
• Knowledge of the cost and support requirements needed to operate a Communications Center.
• Knowledge of information required for documenting emergency situations and calls.
• Knowledge of emergency medical, fire, police, and other emergency terminology.
• Knowledge of the functions of the operating units or departments within the agency or jurisdiction.
• Knowledge of procedures for dispatching emergency and nonemergency equipment and personnel.
• Knowledge of organizational lines of communication.
• Knowledge of the types, disadvantages, and advantages of available communication systems.
• Knowledge of security procedures involved in the dissemination of information.
• Knowledge of emergency management procedures.
• Knowledge of established safety procedures and guidelines.
• Knowledge of the geography and street locations of the community served.
• Knowledge of procedures for investigating and resolving complaints.
• Knowledge of modern technology used in a Communications Center.
• Ability to supervise and work with a group of employees involved in receiving and responding to calls for emergency assistance, and in dispatching needed personnel and equipment.
• Ability to understand the needs of the users of the communications services being provided and to relate these needs to established policies, system capabilities, procedures, and other related factors.
• Ability to modify detailed plans due to special conditions encountered on the job.
• Ability to effectively evaluate the performance of employees.
• Ability to give assignments and instructions to employees.
• Ability to train employees and others in the performance of their assignments.
• Ability to supervise the preparation of statistical reports and the maintenance of records and files.
• Ability to adapt policies and procedures to the requirements of new communications technology.
• Ability to learn the purpose, functions, and operations of the New Jersey Law Enforcement information system and the statewide 9-1-1 Enhanced Emergency Telephone System.
• Ability to understand and evaluate the communication needs of local officials and to relate those needs to the capabilities and resources of the Communications Center.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others in the implementation and improvement of communication services.
• Ability to determine the most efficient means of providing required communication services.
• Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of current communication services.
• Ability to establish goals and set priorities.
• Ability to relay instructions or questions accurately and clearly.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and evaluate relevant information from various types of source materials.
• Ability to obtain and analyze facts to reach logical conclusions.
• Ability to apply existing call codes to emergency situations.
• Ability to obtain information from physically or emotionally distressed individuals.
• Ability to interact with people who are in differing situations.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to take accurate and complete messages.
• Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to decode call locations using appropriate equipment.
• Ability to recognize incorrectly transmitted messages, codes, or error input.
• Ability to read road maps.
• Ability to collect information from both English speaking and non-English speaking individuals.
• Ability to count and to add and subtract whole numbers.
• Ability to speak clearly, concisely, and in a professional manner.
• Ability to comprehend and apply basic laws and regulations including the laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures of the Federal Communications Commission and of the New Jersey State Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services.
• Ability to ensure that calls are sent accurately and promptly.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information received.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODES: LG- MER 12/05/07
• This job specification is for local government use only.

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Appointees to positions at Public Safety Answering Points and at some Public Safety Dispatch Points must have achieved training and certification by the Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services (OETS) in the Department of Law and Public Safety as required by NJAC 13:81-2.