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Dakota Communications Center
People, Process, Technology
Executive Director |
Position Profile
The Dakota Communications Center (DCC) organization was recently established
through a Joint Powers Agreement between Dakota County and eleven cities located
within the County. In 2004 the High Performance Partnerships (HiPP) project,
conducted by the Dakota County cities and county, identified the need for the
development of a centralized public safety answering point and dispatch center.
A combination of factors attention to homeland security, upgrades in
technology, the readiness of various governmental units to act, the availability
of grant money, and the financial benefits to participating governments served
to bring the idea to reality.
A five-year minimum commitment to the project has been made by the participating
jurisdictions. In 2006 construction of the facility will commence in Empire
Township with completion in late 2007 at an estimated cost of $6 million. The
DCC will be equipped with a new 800 megahertz digital radio communications
equipment to allow police, fire, EMS and sheriffs personnel in multiple
jurisdictions to communicate with each other and which will enhance the
interoperability of radio systems among all first responders.
Approximately 60 employees will staff the DCC including the dispatch employees
working within five current PSAP jurisdictions. In addition, the DCC will have
available IT, HR and fiscal support staff from the various jurisdictions.
The projected annual operating budget is $4.6 million. Funding for the
organization will come from participating jurisdictions through a formula based
on population and level of activity. It is expected that the Director will seek
grant funding to reduce the capital and operating costs to the extent these
funds are available.
The Organization
The DCC is headed by a 12-member Board of Directors consisting of an elected
official from each of the jurisdictions. The Executive Committee consists of 12
members an Administrator or Manager from each participating jurisdiction. The
Operations Committee is comprised of 25 police, fire, and EMS personnel, one
from each law enforcement agency and fire department as well as one
representative from the Dakota County EMS Council. In addition, several task
forces, comprised of members of the Board, Executive Committee, and Operations
Committee have been formed to address various issues.
The Executive Director position reports to the Board of Directors through the
Executive Committee.
Participating Governments
Dakota County (pop. 376,000) One of the seven metropolitan counties that
comprise the Twin Cities metro area. Located southeast of Minneapolis and St.
Paul.
Apple Valley (pop. 48,500) Home of the Minnesota Zoo, 2000-acre Lebanon
Hills Regional Park and 18-hole championship Valleywood Golf Course.
Burnsville (pop. 61,000) Grown from a rural farming community to over
24,000 households. Home to a 1.2 million square foot regional mall, over 3,300
acres of parks and wildlife refuge lands, a ski resort, over 2,200 businesses,
and many lodging and dining facilities.
Eagan (pop. 65,000) The 8th largest city in Minnesota. Residents enjoy
abundant neighborhoods, parks and recreational facilities, shopping and
amenities, nature areas, and outstanding city services.
Hastings (pop. 20,000) Located twenty miles south of downtown St. Paul
and known for beautiful Mississippi River scenery. Historic city characterized
by a vibrant, revitalized Main Street and many Victorian residence. Strong
commercial and redevelopment on western and southern borders.
Farmington (pop. 15,600) Rapidly growing city that doubled in
population during the 1990s. Features a traditional downtown, new growth
housing, farms, open spaces and natural resources.
Inver Grove Heights (pop. 30,000 ) Located in over 30 square miles of
rolling wooded terrain with an engaging mix of schools and parks, friendly
neighborhoods, responsive city services, and significant commercial development.
Lakeville (pop. 47,500) Located in the southeast corner of the metro at
the edge of urban and rural service areas. Offers a unique blend of planned
residential and commercial growth balanced with a historic downtown neighborhood
and other mature residential areas.
Mendota Heights (pop. 11,700) Extensive river bluff and wooded areas
have provided an excellent setting for residential development and system of
local and regional parks. Business areas account for 25% of the citys ten
square miles.
Rosemount (pop. 16,800) Located 15 miles south of the metro with 36
square miles bordered by the Mississippi River. Characterized by award winning
public and private schools, commercial development, expanding residential
community, and large industrial base.
South St. Paul (pop. 20,000) All-American city with a strong tradition
of high school hockey and home to one of the nations leading livestock markets.
Mississippi River location provides walking trails, fishing piers, boat launch.
West St. Paul (pop. 19,600) Adjacent to St. Paul, the mature suburb
contains a municipal golf course, nature center, and sports center. Over 300
businesses from manufacturing to retail and beautiful revitalized neighborhoods.
Organizational Structure
The Position
The Executive Director is responsible for the administration and operations of
the DCC in accordance with policies and procedures established by the DCC Board
of Directors and Executive Committee. Approximately 60 employees will be under
the direct supervision of the Executive Director. Specific duties include:
Carry out all personnel actions including hiring, termination, promotion,
discipline and performance evaluation.
Coordinate human resource activities including labor relations, pay plan
administration, benefit administration, insurance programs, and worker
compensation administration.
Prepare the annual budget and annually present a five-year Capital Improvement
Plan.
Provide oversight of the fiscal management of the operation.
Coordinate drafting and execution of all vendor and system contracts.
Ensure citizen calls for emergency and non-emergency assistance are promptly
and effectively answered. Ensure that requests for public safety assistance are
prioritized and dispatched.
Coordinate and attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive
Committee. Responsible for preparation of meeting agendas.
Coordinate and attend all meetings of the Operations Committee and
sub-committees.
Responsible for the maintenance and installation of all emergency
communications equipment.
Make recommendations to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors
regarding the organizational structure.
Make recommendations on staffing or administrative changes.
In consultation with the Operations Committee, recommend and establish
procedures and practices to ensure efficient operations.
Background and Experience
Qualified candidates for the Executive Director should possess a Bachelors
degree (M.A. preferred) in Public Administration, Business Administration
Information Systems Management or closely related field. Minimum of five years
experience in a progressively responsible supervisory capacity in a government
public safety environment. Highly qualified candidates will possess Director
level experience in a large government owned public safety communications
organization.
Specific experience includes:
Significant knowledge of 911, police, fire, dispatch and ambulance operations
including administrative and operational procedures for public safety
communications.
Knowledge of current communications technology and dispatching equipment,
computers and software.
Familiarity with a trunked 800 megahertz radio system.
Experience in Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems.
Advanced training or certification in public safety.
Experience working in a joint powers organization.
Background in organizational development and knowledge of business start-up
processes.
Broad supervisory experience and knowledge of human resources activities
including union labor relations, pay plans, benefits, insurance, and workers
compensation administration.
Budgeting skills and knowledge of capital improvements planning.
Knowledge of available federal and state funding through grants and other
sources.
Experience working in a Board managed environment.
Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations related to public
dispatching systems.
Experience in strategic planning.
Ability to communicate effectively and maintain positive working relationships
with co-workers, elected officials, members of the public and other governmental
units and municipalities.
Management Capabilities
Qualified candidates will have the ability to:
Build a spirit of team work in employees who are experiencing a new work
environment.
Keep all entities focused on desired results.
Develop creative, innovative solutions to problems.
Develop and maintain a framework for keeping the Executive Committee and Board
informed.
Develop capabilities of supervisory staff.
Work with the media to promote and inform citizens of the new system.
Manage the challenges of working with a large, diverse customer base.
Position Priorities
Oversee start-up activities. Develop a phased business plans for staffing,
budget activities, and organizational structure with tentative timelines for
implementation.
Develop a program for staff training. Coordinate training for each existing
PSAP.
Participate on the Core Planning Team providing input into the construction
and completion of the new facility.
Develop a reporting system to transmit information to the Board and
committees.
Take the time to meet with officials from all participating agencies. Become
established as a trusted leader within the committee structure of the new
organization.
Ensure that efforts are focused equally on police, fire, and EMS.
Assimilate existing personnel from the current five dispatch organizations
into the new organizational structure. Coordinate with human resources
departments to finalize the staffing plan, union issues and transitioning
employees to the new organization.
Develop a feedback system to deal with customer concerns.
Secure and administer federal grants allocated through the state.
Announcement
Executive Director; Dakota Communications Center, Southern Twin Cities Metro,
MN. Starting salary low $90s to low $100s. Recently established Joint Powers
Agreement between Dakota County and 11 Cities for a centralized public safety
answering point and dispatch center. Position reports to 12-member Board of
Directors through a 12-member Executive Committee. Responsible for start-up
operation with 60 employees, most from participating jurisdictions. Qualified
candidates will possess a Bachelors degree (M.A. preferred) in Public
Administration, Business Administration Information Systems Management or
closely related field and a minimum of five years experience in a progressively
responsible supervisory capacity in a government public safety environment.
Highly qualified candidates will possess Director level experience in a large
government owned public safety communications organization. Requires broad
knowledge of 911, police, fire, dispatch and ambulance operations including
administrative and operational procedures for public safety communications and
familiarity with a trunked 800 megahertz radio system. Position Profile
available. Send resume by 2/8/06 to The Brimeyer Group Executive Search; 50 S.
9th Ave. #101; Hopkins, MN 55343. Phone (952) 945-0246, e-mail brimgroup@aol.com
web www.brimgroup.com
Timetable
2/8/06 Deadline for Application
3/21/06 Present Candidates/Select Finalists
Week of 4/10/06 Interviews/Selection
May, 2006 Start Date
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