Communications Director

Communications DirectorJOB SUMMARY – The Communications Director plans, directs, and manages all operations of the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Emergency Communications Center, including 9-1-1 call taking, radio dispatch, and public safety communications systems. Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations; maintains operational readiness; and provides leadership strategic planning, and administrative oversight for personnel, technology systems, and service delivery. Responsible for the reliability, efficiency, and integrity of emergency communications that directly impact officer safety and public safety outcomes.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Essential functions are the fundamental and primary duties of a classified position that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, in order to fulfill the purpose of the position.Carry out the Sheriff's Mission and Vision and adhere to the Office's Core Values; Trust, Service, Community;Cultivates high morale and a Team culture within the Communication's Unit and the Sheriff's Office;Maintains proficiency in the essential functions of a Telecommunications Operator;Directs and oversee all daily operations of the 9-1-1 communications center, including call-taking, dispatch, and emergency coordination functions.Develops and implements policies, procedures, and operational standards to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and industry best practices.Ensures compliance with CJIS Security Policy, TCIC/NCIC regulations, and all applicable laws governing criminal justice information systems.Provides leadership, supervision, and performance management for communications personnel, including hiring, training, evaluation, and discipline.Develops and manages the communications center budget, including personnel, equipment, maintenance, and capital improvement planning.Oversee the operation, maintenance, and procurement of communications systems, including CAD, RMS integration, radio systems, and 9-1-1 infrastructure.Coordinates with internal divisions, external agencies, and regional partners to ensure effective communication interoperability and mutual aid response.Monitors operational performance metrics and implement continuous improvement strategies to enhance service delivery and response times.Ensures all personnel receive required training, certification, and continuing education to maintain compliance and operational effectiveness.Directs quality assurance and quality improvement programs, including call review, incident analysis, and corrective action implementation.Serves as the agency's liaison with regulatory bodies, technology vendors, and public safety organizations regarding communications operations.Oversees emergency preparedness and continuity planning for communications operations, including disaster response and system redundancy.Responds to critical incidents, major events, and high-risk situations requiring executive-level communications coordination.Prepares reports, presentations, and strategic plans for command staff and governing bodies, including budget justifications and operational assessments.Represent the County on the Gulf Coast Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communication District;Assists is planning and execution of the county's Emergency Management and disaster response operations;Performs other duties as assigned.EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE – The preferred way to obtain the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position are listed below. The County reserves the right to consider higher levels of education in lieu of training and experience and vice-versa.Master Telecommunication Operation Certification or equivalentBachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Emergency Management, Communications, or a closely related fieldMinimum of 5-10 years of progressively responsible experience in public safety communications (dispatch/911 operations)Minimum of 1-3 years of supervisor or command-level experience within a communications center.Current or ability to obtain TCIC/NCIC Full Access CertificationAPCO or NENA Certifications (e.g. RPL, ENP, CMCP) (preferred)Experience managing CAD/RMS implementation or major technology projects (preferred)Experience with budgeting and capital planning (preferred)KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS – To perform this position successfully, an individual(s) shall possess the following knowledge and skills in order to perform the essential functions proficiently.Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of the local and state criminal justice system.Advanced proficiency with modern office equipment, systems, and procedures.Ability to become proficient in all County and Department policies and procedures.Working knowledge of National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) operations;Thorough understanding of FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) Security Policy;Knowledge of CAD/RMS systems, radio communications systems, and call-handling platformsFamiliarity with NIMS/ICS principles and emergency management coordination;Effective oral and written communication skills.Ability to multitask and perform effectively in a constantly changing work environment.Ability to exercise sound judgment and make well-reasoned decisions under high-stress conditions.Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.Ability to foster productive, cooperative working relationships with employees, supervisors, external partners, public officials, and the general public.OTHER MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS – Applicants must be able to meet all of the following minimum requirements in order to be considered for employment.18 Years of age or olderHigh school diploma or G.E.D.Possess a valid Texas Driver's LicenseBe a United States Citizen (Born or Naturalized)Have a working cell phoneNo more than 20/200 vision that is correctable to 20/20;No convictions or court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years from the date of the court order;Honorable Discharge from Military Service (If applicable)PHYSICAL DEMANDS – The duties of this position may involve certain physical requirements that are necessary to perform the essential functions to include, but not limited to:Perform physical activities including walking, running, crawling, standing, sitting, jumping, kneeling, bending, and lying down for extended periods;Perform physical tasks involving carrying, pushing, pulling, dragging, and holding medium objects;Operate vehicles, exercising sound judgment and strict adherence to safety procedures;Engage in high-stress and physically demanding duties and training scenarios;Speak and hear in order to communicate effectively in person, through telephone, and through emergency radios.ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS – This position may involve exposure to hazardous, dangerous, or adverse environmental conditions to include, but not limited to:Duties and training are regularly performed both indoors and outdoors.Work may occur during natural and man-made disaster situations.Exposure to adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat, extreme cold, rain, sleet, snow, ice, and high winds.Exposure to biohazardous and toxic materials.Work in both bright and low-light environments.Exposure to high noise levels that may result in potential hearing damage.Work in and around high-voltage areas.Work in areas with operating heavy machinery.Work in spaces that may not be compliant with local, state, and federal safety codes or ADA regulations.DISCLAIMER - This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions associated with the position. The employer reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other related work as required to meet operational needs. Nothing in this job description shall be construed as creating a contract of employment or limiting management rights. All duties must be performed in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures. Essential functions of the