Director of Communications and Dispatch

Director of Communications and Dispatch

King and Queen County Sheriff’s Office

The King and Queen County Sheriff's office is looking for a dedicated professional to lead our communications and dispatch center. King and Queen Sheriff's Office is an accredited agency with a state-of-the-art dispatch center that dispatches for law enforcement, fire, and rescue. The Director of Communications and Dispatch will be responsible for the daily operation of the center, including policy and procedure development, scheduling, and training. 

This is a full-time exempt employee position that will work a minimum of 40 hours a week. 

Prior communications/dispatch and supervisory skills and experience are preferred qualifications.

This is an in-person position, with no telework option.

The target date for filling this position is April 1, 2026. 

The hiring process for the Sheriff's Office involves completion of the following steps:

• Application


• Phone/Virtual interview


• Panel interview


• Interview with the Sheriff


• Background investigation


• Conditional offer


• Drug testing


• Polygraph examination


• Psychological examination

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Director of Emergency Communications and Dispatch is responsible for overseeing the emergency communications center, its equipment, and personnel. The Director is responsible for all administrative tasks, including scheduling, time sheets, training, policies, and protocols. The Director shall report directly to the Sheriff or their designee. The Director shall supervise the dispatch leads and all other dispatch employees, that report to the Director of Emergency Communications and Dispatch.

The Director will communicate effectively with the Emergency Services Coordinator, Fire Chiefs, and EMS Chiefs, both paid and volunteer, to adopt policies and procedures directly related to the dispatching of Emergency Fire and Emergency Medical Services. The Director will also have a high-level working knowledge of all equipment and technologies in the dispatch office, including, but not limited to, radios, CAD, and phones, and work with information technology and radio techs to develop a working knowledge of the equipment's functionality.

GENERAL DEFINITION AND CONDITIONS OF WORK:

Performs complex professional and administrative work planning, organizing, and directing a state-of-the-art emergency communications center. Will supervise dispatch leads and dispatchers and develop policies and procedures for dispatching. Work in this position is performed under the general supervision of the Sheriff. The Director of Communications and Dispatch is a leadership position on the command staff of the sheriff's office and should be able to work independently, make sound decisions, and demonstrate initiative to adapt to changing environments and trends.

This position also requires the following:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer may exceed 8 to 12 hours.

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. at times. 


• The position will need to be flexible with schedule; potentially requiring working nights, weekends, and holidays as needed to meet staffing requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:

· Coordinate staffing and operational activities for the Emergency Dispatch Center

  (EDC),ensuring programs and functions are in compliance with the state and

   federal mandates.

· Development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for

  the EDC Center.

· Directly coordinate and review the work plan for assigned dispatch services and

  activities.

· Coordinate shift coverage, meet minimum staffing objectives, monitor workflow,

   review and evaluate work methods and procedures.

· Meet with staff to identify and resolve problems in a timely and effective manner.

· Participate in the screening and selection of dispatch personnel.

· Work with employees to correct deficiencies in performance or conduct and

  implement discipline procedures or additional training.

· Maintain department compliance with new and changing laws, policies, and

  procedures related to the dispatch functions; inform staff of changes in laws and

  other agency requirements.

· Serve as the designated Agency's Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN)   Terminal Coordinator (TAC) for the Virginia State Police. Conduct audits and

  inspections of files and articles entered into the system.

· Perform quality assurance on calls. To include radio, telephone, and CAD entries

  for law, fire, and EMS.

· Coordinate with emergency services, fire chiefs, rescue chiefs, as well as other

  stakeholders, both paid and unpaid. To develop protocols and standard

  operating procedures.

· Overseeing all training and career development of new dispatchers, ongoing

  training, and remedial training of all dispatchers.

· Conduct performance evaluations and set goals for dispatchers to succeed,

  develop and grow in their positions.

 · Maintaining technology and updating the systems as needed. This will include

   research and implementation of new software, technology, and systems.

· The position of Director of Communications and Dispatch is a leadership position

   that primarily performs a clerical-type job that requires long periods of sitting,

   typing, and looking at a computer screen. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of rural emergency dispatch leadership and supervision, the Director of Communications and Dispatch will lead a state-of-the-art emergency dispatch center. The position of Director requires a demonstrated ability to write policy, procedures, and training manuals effectively. Work with multiple departmental agency heads with varying degrees of knowledge and understanding. Excellent communication and organizational skills, both verbal and written. Requires a typing speed of 60+ words per minute and requires initiative and good leadership skills to lead a diverse workforce. Flexibility in the schedule to cover shifts or respond to outages within the center. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field, and progressively responsible administrative and supervisory experience, or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities is required. A minimum of supervisory, communications, project management, and policy development skills is required.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Certification as an emergency communications dispatcher, as well as VICIN NCIC certification. Supervisory and/or training skills of three or more subordinates. Regular and continued communication skills, both written and oral. Documented management of an implementation or oversight of a project implementation or development. Documented development of a policy, procedure, or training manual as well as ongoing revisions and implementation. Excellent management and supervisory skills.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must have acquired a certification for emergency dispatching, emergency medical dispatching, VICIN, and NCIC, or have the ability to acquire certification within one year. Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license. Complete a comprehensive background investigation to include polygraph and psychological examination. Pre-employment and ongoing drug testing.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

All employees of the King and Queen County Sheriff's Office may be called upon to serve the citizens of the county in the event of a disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, flood, fire, and/or any other event classified by the county as an emergency.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

King and Queen County is proud to provide our full-time employees with the following comprehensive benefits package.  This schedule serves as an overview and does not provide all provisions, limitations, and exclusions.  If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents, the plan documents will prevail.

Medical Insurance 

(Employer paid health benefits with no employee contribution for the employee).

Health Savings Account (Employer makes monthly contributions to your account)

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Leave Benefits

The County recognizes the many diverse needs of employees that require time off from work.  The following types of leave are provided to employees to assist with that work-life balance:

Annual Leave

Personal Leave 
Paid Holidays
Family Medical Leave (FMLA)
Civil Leave
Military Leave (in accordance with the Code of Virginia and United States Code)
Volunteer Leave (8 hours per calendar year)
Bereavement Leave

Group Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is administered through Sentara Health and is free to all County employees and their household members.  It is a confidential program that is designed to help employees and their households resolve personal problems that can impact their job performance.  The EAP provides the employee with an assessment of the problem, consultations and referrals are provided when appropriate.

Educational Benefits

Virginia 529 College Savings Plan

Virginia Retirement Plan

King and Queen County participates in the Virginia Retirement System 

King and Queen County is an equal employment opportunity employer.