City of Portland
Bureau of Emergency Communications Director (Director I)
City of Portland, Portland, Oregon, United States, 97204
Bureau of Emergency Communications Director (Director I)
This position is exempt from Civil Service and is an "At Will" position, serving at the discretion of the hiring authority subject to the City of Portland Human Resources Administrative Rules and Portland City Charter and Code.
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm. Work hours will vary to meet business needs. Work Location: expected to report to on‑site at 3732 SW 99th Avenue, Portland, OR 97266. Remote workdays remain an option within Oregon or Washington.
Benefits: Please see the benefit tab for an overview. Language Pay Premium Eligible: position may be eligible for a Language Pay Differential.
Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. Attach a cover letter and resume.
Job offer contingent on background check and psychological examination.
About The Position The City of Portland seeks an experienced and innovative Director to lead the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC). BOEC serves as the central link between the community and emergency service providers by answering 9‑1‑1 and non‑emergency public safety calls, triaging for proper response, and dispatching police, fire, medical, and alternate responders. The bureau has more than 160 employees, both union and non‑union, across multiple divisions.
Reporting to the Deputy City Administrator for the Public Safety Service Area, the Director oversees all bureau operations and personnel, manages external relations with city officials, partner jurisdictions, and other agencies, and ensures effective 9‑1‑1 and non‑emergency call‑taking and dispatch services. The Director uses all available resources—staff, equipment, policies, and procedures—to fulfill BOEC’s mission.
Essential Functions Of The BOEC Director Include
Employee Centered Leadership
– Foster a healthy workplace culture through transparency, dialogue, and strategies that reduce burnout and support mental health.
Executive Leadership
– Direct all aspects of operations, including policy development, program implementation, and staff management. Provide strategic oversight and promote high performance.
Community Engagement
– Represent BOEC to the public, partner jurisdictions, and professional organizations; build relationships with stakeholders and advocate for public safety priorities.
Collaboration
– Coordinate emergency response services with internal teams, partner agencies, and intergovernmental bodies; negotiate agreements and resolve conflicts.
Budget and Financial Expertise
– Oversee the bureau’s budget; monitor expenditures and coordinate with city leadership for fiscal responsibility.
Strategic Thinking
– Develop and implement long‑term plans and policies to meet evolving public safety needs; drive continuous improvement.
Technology Modernization
– Oversee deployment and maintenance of advanced emergency communication technologies, including CAD systems, 9‑1‑1 telephony, radio networks, and voice recording systems.
Virtual Zoom Informational Opportunity Join us on Friday, December 12 at 12:00 pm Pacific Time (US and Canada) to meet the Deputy City Administrator, BOEC Deputy Director, and senior recruiter. Address your questions about the position and application process. Zoom Meeting ID 828 5549 7387.
To Qualify Applicants must specifically address and demonstrate in their cover letter and resume how their education, training and/or experience meets each of the following required minimum qualifications:
Ten (10) years of progressively responsible supervisory and management experience in a large, multi‑jurisdictional Emergency Communications center, preferably including experience as a police/fire/EMS call taker or dispatcher.
Experience guiding organizational progress by analyzing existing practices, identifying areas of improvement, establishing a vision, setting measurable objectives, and successfully implementing solutions.
Experience developing, managing, and administering large‑scale budgets, including forecasting, resource allocation, and adjustments aligned with programmatic priorities.
Experience creating and maintaining equitable and inclusive workplace practices, recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse, culturally competent team.
Experience building and maintaining trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders (frontline, administrative, support staff, elected officials, community members, media) through transparency, accountability, and integrity.
Demonstrated knowledge in emergency communications (9‑1‑1) operations, technology, emergency management, logistics, training, accreditation, and regulatory standards.
Applicants Must Also
Be able to pass a comprehensive police background investigation and psychological evaluation.
Although Not Required, You May Have
Master’s degree in public administration or related field.
National Emergency Number Association Emergency Number Professional (ENP) certification.
Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Certified Public‑Safety Executive (CPE) or Registered Public‑Safety Leader (RPL) certification.
Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Portland is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
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Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm. Work hours will vary to meet business needs. Work Location: expected to report to on‑site at 3732 SW 99th Avenue, Portland, OR 97266. Remote workdays remain an option within Oregon or Washington.
Benefits: Please see the benefit tab for an overview. Language Pay Premium Eligible: position may be eligible for a Language Pay Differential.
Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. Attach a cover letter and resume.
Job offer contingent on background check and psychological examination.
About The Position The City of Portland seeks an experienced and innovative Director to lead the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC). BOEC serves as the central link between the community and emergency service providers by answering 9‑1‑1 and non‑emergency public safety calls, triaging for proper response, and dispatching police, fire, medical, and alternate responders. The bureau has more than 160 employees, both union and non‑union, across multiple divisions.
Reporting to the Deputy City Administrator for the Public Safety Service Area, the Director oversees all bureau operations and personnel, manages external relations with city officials, partner jurisdictions, and other agencies, and ensures effective 9‑1‑1 and non‑emergency call‑taking and dispatch services. The Director uses all available resources—staff, equipment, policies, and procedures—to fulfill BOEC’s mission.
Essential Functions Of The BOEC Director Include
Employee Centered Leadership
– Foster a healthy workplace culture through transparency, dialogue, and strategies that reduce burnout and support mental health.
Executive Leadership
– Direct all aspects of operations, including policy development, program implementation, and staff management. Provide strategic oversight and promote high performance.
Community Engagement
– Represent BOEC to the public, partner jurisdictions, and professional organizations; build relationships with stakeholders and advocate for public safety priorities.
Collaboration
– Coordinate emergency response services with internal teams, partner agencies, and intergovernmental bodies; negotiate agreements and resolve conflicts.
Budget and Financial Expertise
– Oversee the bureau’s budget; monitor expenditures and coordinate with city leadership for fiscal responsibility.
Strategic Thinking
– Develop and implement long‑term plans and policies to meet evolving public safety needs; drive continuous improvement.
Technology Modernization
– Oversee deployment and maintenance of advanced emergency communication technologies, including CAD systems, 9‑1‑1 telephony, radio networks, and voice recording systems.
Virtual Zoom Informational Opportunity Join us on Friday, December 12 at 12:00 pm Pacific Time (US and Canada) to meet the Deputy City Administrator, BOEC Deputy Director, and senior recruiter. Address your questions about the position and application process. Zoom Meeting ID 828 5549 7387.
To Qualify Applicants must specifically address and demonstrate in their cover letter and resume how their education, training and/or experience meets each of the following required minimum qualifications:
Ten (10) years of progressively responsible supervisory and management experience in a large, multi‑jurisdictional Emergency Communications center, preferably including experience as a police/fire/EMS call taker or dispatcher.
Experience guiding organizational progress by analyzing existing practices, identifying areas of improvement, establishing a vision, setting measurable objectives, and successfully implementing solutions.
Experience developing, managing, and administering large‑scale budgets, including forecasting, resource allocation, and adjustments aligned with programmatic priorities.
Experience creating and maintaining equitable and inclusive workplace practices, recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse, culturally competent team.
Experience building and maintaining trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders (frontline, administrative, support staff, elected officials, community members, media) through transparency, accountability, and integrity.
Demonstrated knowledge in emergency communications (9‑1‑1) operations, technology, emergency management, logistics, training, accreditation, and regulatory standards.
Applicants Must Also
Be able to pass a comprehensive police background investigation and psychological evaluation.
Although Not Required, You May Have
Master’s degree in public administration or related field.
National Emergency Number Association Emergency Number Professional (ENP) certification.
Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Certified Public‑Safety Executive (CPE) or Registered Public‑Safety Leader (RPL) certification.
Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Portland is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr