Job Description

Summary

MATCOM is a leading public safety organization committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the Mat-Su Valley. We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Manager to lead our emergency communication center. If you are a motivated and skilled professional looking to make a significant impact in the field of public safety, we want to hear from you.

A little about MATCOM:
Located in Wasilla, Alaska, MATCOM Dispatch Center covers an area roughly the size of the state of Arkansas with an area population of approximately 115,000 people. The center fields an average of 400 calls a day and dispatches the Wasilla Police Department, State Troopers, Fire & Rescue and EMS for the Mat-Su Borough to include the Copper Valley area for 911 calls. The Communications Manager plans, organizes, coordinates, directs, and leads the operations and activities of MATCOM providing responsible administration, technical staff assistance, and project management.

Job Duties

The responsibilities listed below are illustrative of the various types of duties that may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Direct and participate in the development, implementation, and maintenance of automated systems within Dispatch, including items that support systems in other areas.
• Evaluate equipment, maintenance procedures, operational statistics and requirements and make recommendations for change as necessary.
• Develop record keeping systems regarding radio equipment and maintenance.
• Prepare license applications for the Federal Communications Commission..
• Coordinate dispatch operational procedures to respond to needs of the department and other users of City radio networks.
• Perform limited troubleshooting of radio equipment malfunctions and coordinate maintenance activities performed by contractors.
• Prepare specifications for communications equipment, records management system software.
• Participate in development, evaluations, and testing of dispatch emergency and disaster operating procedures in conjunction with other departments of the city and other agencies involved in disaster planning.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and direct the operations and activities of Dispatch.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Ensure proper training of dispatch personnel.
• Approve staffing schedules for dispatch.
• Manage, mentor, coach, supervise, train, and evaluate subordinate employees, maintaining accountability and consistent adherence to policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Direct and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures of MatCom operations.
• Interpret and implement changes in policies, principles codes, regulations and laws governing communication, use and maintain confidentiality of police records, records management, property control, and rules of evidence; apply changes in Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations; implement training and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Prepare and administer the Dispatch budget.
• Investigate complaints against assigned personnel and respond in a manner resulting in appropriate complaint resolution.
• Coordinate with partnered agencies to ensure contractual obligations are fulfilled in an efficient and professional manner.

Scope and Accountability/Supervisory Responsibility:
This is a civilian classification within the City of Wasilla with full administrative responsibility and accountability for the overall operations and activities of the dispatch. The Records and Communications Manager exercises considerable independent judgment in directing and managing records maintenance and communication services within the Public Safety Agencies. General direction is provided by the mayor; responsibilities include direct supervision of first-line civilian dispatch and records supervisors, professional, technical, and clerical personnel; and may include directing work groups or inter-agency task forces. Enforce local ordinances and Council directives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of modern principles and methods of management, organization, administration, supervision, including appropriate delegation of authority, responsibility and developing work schedules.
• The ability to operate computerized public safety information systems, radio equipment, telephone systems, alarm systems and other communications equipment utilized by the City of Wasilla.
• Principles, laws, policies, methods, practices, and regulations pertaining to the dispatch of emergency equipment and Police Department policies and practices.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of budget administration, records retention schedules and understanding of purge criteria, and the Public Records Act.
• Community oriented policing principles and practices.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public and private officials, and the public utilizing the services of dispatch.
• Identify coordinates and resolve a wide variety of issues related to emergency dispatch operations and records operations.
• Homeland Security orientation tests will be required as a term of employment; ICS-100 taken on-line with 30 days of date of hire; ICS-200, ICS-700, and ICS-800 tests to be taken on-line within 45 days of date of hire. Complete ICS-300 and ICS-400 training as it becomes available.
• Communicate and negotiate with collective bargaining units.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience and/or Education:
Six years of increasingly responsible experience in a public safety communications and records operation, including two years of supervisory experience and two years of experience directly related to emergency dispatching.
Bachelor\'s degree in closely related field and/or four years\' experience in similar position may be substituted for the degree.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Have or obtain Emergency Number Professional (ENP) or Registered Public-safety Leadership (RPL) certificate or similar professional certificate within one year of date of hire.
This classification may require the use of a personal or a city vehicle while conducting City business. To operate a vehicle, individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicle safely, provide proof of insurance, possess a current Alaska motor vehicle operator\'s license, and obtained a current driving record from the State of Alaska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Additional Information

Physical Demands:
Have a level of mobility that allows movement between equipment in and around the communications center, through doorways, hallways, up and down stairs, and/or elevators. Employees must be capable of lifting 25 pounds.

Work Environment:
Generally, work is performed in an indoor office setting. When working in the office, incumbents typically work at a desk entering and retrieving data from a computer or terminal. Sitting for extended periods of time with the ability to move about at will. A computer keyboard is used to enter and retrieve data and requires continuous or repetitive arm-hand movements. Incumbents read and comprehend written material and make inferences from the contents. Verbal communication is conducted face to face, on the telephone, and in group meetings or a classroom setting. This assignment may include evenings, holidays, and weekend work. Normal work week is 40 hours per week.

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