Director emergency communications center

Director, Fulton County Consolidated Emergency Communications Center

SALARY RANGE: $60,000 to $80,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

GENERAL DESICRIPTION OF BENEFITS: Group Medical Insurance and Life Insurance (available), Family and Medical Leave Act leave, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Pension, Paid Holidays, Paid Leave, Bereavement Leave, Jury/Court Leave, and VESSA Leave and Military Leave (as applicable).

Final employment will be subject to approval by the Fulton County ETSB and the approval and execution of an employment agreement.

FLSA STATUS: Salaried Exempt

REPORTS TO: Fulton County Emergency Telephone System Board (“ETSB”)

OPENING DATE: August 27, 2025

CLOSING DATE: September 30, 2025

WORK SCHEDULE: The Director is expected to work a full-time schedule, typically a minimum of 40 hours per week. Due to the 24 hour a day, 7 day a week operational nature of the emergency communications center, the schedule may include variable hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, or holidays, depending on operational needs, emergencies, staffing levels, and supervisory requirements. As an exempt employee, the role is not eligible for overtime pay, and the individual is expected to work the hours necessary to ensure the effective and continuous operation of the emergency communications center. Flexibility and availability for after-hours issues are key components of the position.

APPLICATION: To apply for this position, submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] by the closing date specified above. Applicants may be subject to a background check prior to hiring.

JOB SUMMARY: The Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and strategic direction of the emergency communications center which will serve as the public safety answering point for the general public as well as first responders such as police, fire, and emergency medical services agencies within Fulton County. This position oversees all operations related to emergency call-taking and dispatching services, ensuring the efficient and effective coordination of police, fire, and emergency medical services. The Director develops and implements policies, manages personnel, ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, and maintains high standards of service delivery. This role requires strong leadership skills, crisis management skills, and the ability to maintain operational readiness 24/7, including during large-scale emergencies or system failures. The Director will be responsible for cooperating with and assisting the ETSB, City of Canton and Fulton County with the establishment and ongoing operation of the emergency communications center. The Director will be an “at-will” employee of the ETSB, subject to the authority and direction of the ETSB and any applicable intergovernmental agreements.

MAJOR TASKS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participates with and/or assists the ETSB and Fulton County with any collective bargaining matters, grievance issues, charges of unfair labor practices, and other labor and employment issues.

Fulton County Emergency Telephone System Board

260 W. Lincoln Avenue, Suite 2

Lewistown, Illinois 61542

(309) 547-3911

• Assists and advises the ETSB, City of Canton, and Fulton County with the establishment of the emergency communications center.

• Makes budget recommendations and assists in the preparation of the budget as it pertains to the emergency communications center.

• Cooperates with and assists local public safety agencies with 911 and dispatch guidance and implementation.

• Manages the operations of the emergency communications center and the allocation of personnel and resources; enforces regulations, schedules, approves leave, assigns, directs and supervises, evaluates, and disciplines personnel

• Manages the workflow of daily operations; research, analyzes, and recommends policy and procedure changes as they affect operations.

• Oversees the release of highly confidential and sensitive information according to Freedom of Information Act guidelines.

• Administers or recommends commendations or other forms of positive reinforcement as appropriate and evaluates the job performance of subordinates through verbal and written performance appraisals.

• Mentors, and evaluates telecommunicators on an ongoing basis to ensure success at all levels of communication with citizens and agencies. Creates performance plans and ensures staff meet those criteria.

• Attends Fulton County ETSB meetings to report on and discuss operations and make recommendations for change and improvement.

• Communicates and maintains emergency communications center manuals with new and updated policies through written standard operating procedures which are approved by the ETSB.

• Participates in interviewing and selecting personnel.

• Delivers oral presentations to staff, agencies, and citizens groups.

• Maintain LEADS Delegate status and oversees the mandated validation process for all LEADS and NCIC hot file entries.

• Makes recommendation regarding the purchase of equipment and other software.

• Performs duties and functions of telecommunicators, as necessary or as directed.

• Performs other duties and projects as directed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma or a Certificate of High School Equivalency/General Educational Development (GED) required. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, public administration, business administration or a related field and/or additional experience in emergency communications, including work supervising telecommunicators/dispatchers in a public safety dispatch center or emergency communications center is preferred. Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: Must be able to interact with others in a positive manner. Communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors, agencies we serve and the public. Requires prompt and regular attendance.

• Supervision Received: Is provided general supervision from the ETSB and/or ETSB Chairperson.

• Supervision Given: Provides direct supervision to the shift supervisors and telecommunicators

EXPERIENCE: Experience in emergency response setting is preferred, preferably that of a 911 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Ability to become LEADS/NCIC certified delegate within 90 days of hire

• Ability to obtain Illinois Freedom of Information Act certification within 90 days of hire

• Ability to obtain Emergency Medical Dispatch certification within 90 days of hire

WORK ENVIORMENT: Work is performed in a secure environment and includes frequent interruptions and demands from supervisors and subordinates. Work also involves numerous deadlines and time constraints. The emergency communications center is a fast-paced, high-stress environment that operates 24 hours a day,

7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. The environment demands a high level of focus, emotional resilience, and the ability to perform effectively under critical time constraints. Generally, employees working in this environment are required to manage multiple tasks simultaneously under intense pressure, including receiving and prioritizing emergency and non-emergency calls, making quick decisions with limited information, and dispatching appropriate emergency response units. The work often involves exposure to traumatic situations, including reports of severe injury, death, and violence, which can be emotionally taxing. Staff must maintain composure, accuracy, and professionalism while communicating with distressed callers, first responders, and other agencies during high-risk or life-threatening incidents.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sufficient clarity of speech, and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions, communicate effectively, and perform telephone communications.

• Sufficient vision or other powers of observations, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and observe department processes and procedures.

• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to utilize equipment required for the performance of duties.

• Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, stamina, strength, and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to bend and reach to access files, sit or stand for long periods of time, and perform all duties required in a 911 dispatch center which is a fast -paced environment.

EQUIPMENT USED: Telephone, radio, computer, printer, copier, scanner, fax machine.

Approved: 08/26/25.

Fulton County ETSB is an equal opportunity employer. The Fulton County ETSB provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person