Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District - Executive Director
Posted: 3/3/25
Salary: $98,106-$129,604
Location: St. Helens, OR
FULL-TIME POSITION
Salary Range: $98,106-$129,604 (exact placement within the salary range dependent on qualifications) Benefits: Competitive benefit program that includes health, dental and vision insurance (currently 93% employer paid), employer paid Oregon PERS retirement, earned (vacation) leave, sick leave, and HRA VEBA contribution.
THE AREA
The Columbia 9-1-1 Communication District is based in St. Helens, Oregon. Located 40 miles northwest of Portland, Oregon and about 70 miles from the North Oregon Coast, the District services an area of 678 square miles and a population of approximately 53,000. In 2024, the center answered approximately 80,000 calls and processed over 70,000 incidents from the 17 public service agencies served by the District. The public service agencies pay no user-fees to the District.
THE DISTRICT
Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District (C911CD) is the sole public safety 9-1-1 answering point and dispatch center for all public safety agencies based in Columbia County, Oregon. The District also serves small adjacent portions of Clatsop and Multnomah Counties. The District is an Oregon special district formed under Oregon Revised Statutes Chapters 198 and 403. The District is governed by a Board of Directors elected from five geographic zones within Columbia County. The Directors serve at large and select their President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Board governs with the participation of a statutory Advisory Committee consisting of appointed executives from each law enforcement, emergency medical, emergency planning and fire service based in the county. The Board appoints five citizen members to the annual Budget Committee.
The Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District provides 9-1-1 call-taking, dispatching and non-emergency communications services for seven law enforcement agencies and six fire districts – including emergency medical dispatch for four fire district owned ambulance services and one private ambulance. In addition, the District provides a variety of communications support activities for several other public and private entities in the county. The District owns and maintains the dispatch center facilities and the county-wide public safety communications system, including the narrow-band Very High Frequency (VHF) 8 channel simulcast voice radio system, Ultra High Frequency (UHF) mobile data system, the microwave backbone and associated remote facilities.
THE POSITION
The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the District. The Director reports directly to the elected Board of Directors and recommends policy to the Board and implements those policies for District operations. Through leadership and management skills, the Executive Director develops and administers the agency’s operational plans.
The Executive Director has overall management responsibility for the 9-1-1 center. This position requires a high degree of independent judgment and professional decision making. The Executive Director is responsible for coordinating, overseeing, mentoring, coaching, and training the District’s fulltime employees.
The Executive Director is the “face” of the District, regularly communicating with the District’s employees, the public, the media, and the District’s partner agencies.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
- The ideal candidate will possess the following attributes:
- The ability to plan, coordinate, and direct county wide emergency communications systems.
- Experience in preparing, recommending, and administering an annual agency budget.
- Skill in developing and maintaining reports and statistical information for administrative and regulatory purposes.
- The ability to recommend and clearly articulate policies to the Board of Directors.
- The ability to report all significant District activities to the Board of Directors on a regular basis.
- Knowledge of computer operating systems and radio systems necessary for the operation of an Emergency Communications center.
- Up-to-date and knowledgeable of changing technology related to Emergency Communications.
- Experience in employee selection and retention.
- Experience in communication with members of the media and citizens regarding items of interest to the public.
- Skill in communicating with other governmental agencies with the purpose of maintaining strong inter- governmental relationships with all user groups.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Education: A Degree in Business Management, Public Administration or a related field is desired. A combination of education/experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s or associate degree.
- Experience: A minimum of six years multi-discipline (law enforcement, fire, and EMS with transport) dispatch experience, which shall include at least two (2) years as a supervisor, or a position of equal or greater responsibility.
CERTIFICATIONS:
- Association of Public Communications Officials (APCO) - Registered Public Safety Leader or Certified Public Safety Executive
- National Emergency Number Association (NENA) - Center Manager Certification Program or Emergency Number Professional Certification
- State of Oregon, Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) - Supervisory, Management or Executive Certificate in Telecommunications and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
- Any combination of experience/training that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities, may be considered in lieu of education and experience requirements.
See job description for full position details and requirements.
SELECTION PROCESS TIMELINE
(Dates subject to change)
Recruitment Period Opens: March 3, 2025
Recruitment Period Closes: April 4, 2025
To review the full job announcement and job description and to complete the application please see this link: https://www.sdao.com/classifieds. To be considered as a candidate, please submit a completed and signed application, resume, and cover letter to the address or email listed below. Electronic submission is preferred.
Attn. Shanta Carter
Columbia 911 Emergency Communications District - Executive Director Recruitment Special Districts Association of Oregon
PO Box 23879
Tigard, Oregon 97281
-OR-
Email: scarter@sdao.com
Questions regarding the position or the selection process can be directed to Senior Consultant George Dunkel at gdunkel@sdao.com.
Additional information about the Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District can be found at
https://www.columbia911.com/ .