Administrative Commander - Police

Town of Vail • Vail, CO

20h

About The Position

The Town of Vail is seeking a dynamic and experienced law enforcement professional to serve as its next Administrative Commander. As a key member of the Police Department’s leadership team, this upper management role is responsible for the oversight of both the Administrative/Records Division and the Investigations Division, and serves as Acting Chief in the absence of Chief and Deputy Chief.
The ideal candidate will be a highly collaborative and forward-thinking leader who thrives in both administrative and operational settings. This role offers the opportunity to impact department-wide initiatives, lead recruitment and training efforts, manage compliance and internal investigations, and represent the department on key interagency partnerships throughout Eagle County and beyond.

Requirements

• Internal candidates: Minimum of five (5) years as a police officer and two (2) years as a front-line supervisor.
• External candidates: Minimum of five (5) years of experience as front-line supervisor or higher in a law enforcement agency.
• Colorado POST certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire).
• Completion of required training for internal investigations, supervision, and leadership roles.
• No felony convictions or offenses punishable as felonies in Colorado.
• Successful completion of a background investigation, psychological evaluation, medical exam, and polygraph.
• Extensive knowledge of criminal law, law enforcement operations, Colorado POST standards, and investigative best practices.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, policy development (Lexipol), strategic planning, and records management.
• Ability to manage recruitment, training programs, policy development, and professional standards.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and public relations skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and with external partners.
• Knowledge of modern policing strategies, emergency services, judicial processes, and inter-agency coordination.
• Ability to perform in high-pressure environments, manage complex administrative functions, and remain accessible 24/7 for emergencies unless on approved leave.

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing police training, internal affairs investigations, public records, grants, and strategic planning is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in leading cross-functional teams and working with a variety of public and private partners.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Leadership training such as the Supervisory Institute, Leadership in Police Organizations (LPO), or Command Staff Institute.
• Intermediate ICS training and competency.

Responsibilities

• Oversight of the Administrative/Records Division
• Oversight of the Investigations Division
• Serves as Acting Chief in the absence of Chief and Deputy Chief
• Impact department-wide initiatives
• Lead recruitment and training efforts
• Manage compliance and internal investigations
• Represent the department on key interagency partnerships throughout Eagle County and beyond.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager