DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS
About The Position
The Public Safety Communications Director directs La Crosse County’s Public Safety Communications Center and provides strategic leadership for countywide public safety communications, 9-1-1 operations, and emergency dispatch services. The Director oversees departmental planning, operations, and technology management to ensure efficient, reliable, and responsive service to law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and the community. The role calls for a forward-thinking leader who can anticipate challenges and opportunities in public safety communications. The Director is appointed by the County Administrator following a competitive selection process and reports directly to the County Administrator and the Judiciary and Law Committee. The position provides executive oversight of Center operations, leads the workforce and budget, and manages the County’s communications technology and long-range planning. The Director also represents the County and department in partner-agency, community, regional, state, and national settings. Work is primarily office-based, with frequent in-County travel to partner agencies and occasional out-of-County travel for professional development and conferences. The position may require work outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.
Requirements
- Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in law enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency management, or related public safety operations is preferred.
- Knowledge of, or ability and willingness to learn, federal, state, and local laws governing public safety communications and emergency management practices, including MABAS and NIMS.
- Strong leadership, supervisory, and organizational management skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences, the public, and media.
- Proficiency in financial management, including budget development and administration.
- Ability to foster collaboration and build trusted relationships across public safety, government, and the community.
- Must successfully pass a law enforcement background check suitable for working with public safety agencies.
- Willingness and ability to occasionally work outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required.
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge of computer-aided dispatch systems, radio communications infrastructure, E9-1-1 systems, and emergency medical dispatching.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience will be considered.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic direction and executive oversight of all Public Safety Communications Center operations.
- Establish and implement policies, procedures, and performance standards to support operational excellence.
- Exercise independent judgment and discretion to develop solutions when guidelines do not exist.
- Lead workforce planning, including recruitment, training, performance management, and succession planning.
- Monitor workloads, staffing levels, and service demand, and recommend adjustments.
- Develop, present, and administer the annual departmental budget while ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency.
- Prepare and analyze statistical and planning reports to guide decisions and future planning.
- Model accountability through consistent and reliable attendance.
- Oversee management and modernization of public safety radio and communications systems, including towers, consoles, computers, and the E9-1-1 telephone system.
- Develop and maintain a long-range capital improvement plan aligned with future operational needs.
- Research emerging technologies and recommend innovations to improve efficiency, resiliency, and service delivery.
- Manage vendor and service contracts for installation, maintenance, and support of mission-critical systems.
- Build and maintain working relationships with law enforcement, fire, EMS, and other partner agencies.
- Represent the County in regional, state, and national public safety communications forums.
- Lead public information initiatives and represent the department through presentations, media engagement, and community outreach.
- Investigate and resolve complaints from partner agencies and the public fairly and promptly.
- Participate in advisory boards, legislative committees, and councils to advocate for policies that strengthen public safety communications.
- Perform other duties as assigned or required.
Benefits
- Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension program.
- Countywide insurance plans and growing access to local, no-cost care options for everyday health needs.
- Two dedicated banks of vacation and sick time, beginning on the first day.
- Ability to bank up to twice the annual vacation accrual.
- Ability to build up to 150 sick days as a full-time employee.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
