Bureau of Emergency Communications Director (Director I) - Open Until Filled

Full Job Description

The City of Portland is seeking 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 appropriate police, fire, medical, and alternate response.

The bureau consists of more than 160 union and non-union employees 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 for police, fire, and medical responders.

The Director is responsible for using all available resources—staff, equipment, policies, and procedures—to fulfill BOEC’s mission.

This position carries broad administrative and programmatic authority, including developing policies and work rules, ensuring adequate training and resources, and supporting the functionality of diverse workgroups.

The Director ensures that managers, supervisors, and staff implement strategies that meet BOEC’s operational challenges and maintain high-quality service for all partner jurisdictions, including Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, Maywood Park, Sauvie Island, Corbett, and Multnomah County.

Additional information about BOEC’s organization and operations can be found at the bureau’s website.

City of Portland’s Bureau of Emergency Communications

The job offer for this position will be contingent on passing a background check and psychological examination.

Essential Functions of the BOEC Director include:

Employee Centered Leadership – Recognizes the value and importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce, ensuring that these principles are embedded into all aspects of the bureau’s operations.

Fosters a healthy workplace culture through transparency in decision-making, engaging in meaningful dialogue with staff, and implementing strategies that reduce burnout and support mental health.

Executive Leadership - Directs all aspects of the bureau’s operations, including policy development, program implementation, and staff management.

Provides strategic oversight to managers and supervisors, ensuring the bureau fulfills its mission effectively while promoting high performance, accountability, and professional development among staff.

Community Engagement - Represents BOEC to the public, partner jurisdictions, and professional organizations.

Builds and maintains relationships with community stakeholders, elected officials, and the media.

Ensures the bureau’s services meet the needs of Portland and regional partners, and advocates for public safety priorities.

Collaboration - Works closely with internal teams, partner agencies, and intergovernmental bodies to coordinate emergency response services.

Negotiates agreements, resolves conflicts, and develops service and quality standards in a multi-jurisdictional environment. Promotes teamwork and cross-agency partnerships to achieve shared goals.

Budget and Financial Expertise - Oversees the bureau’s budget and financial management, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to meet operational needs.

Directs financial planning, monitors expenditures, and coordinates with city leadership to maintain fiscal responsibility while supporting bureau priorities.

Strategic Thinking - Develops and implements long-term plans and policies to ensure the bureau’s operations, technology, and workforce meet evolving public safety needs.

Evaluates programs, anticipates challenges, and drives continuous quality improvement to enhance emergency communication services.

Technology Modernization - Oversees the selection, deployment, and maintenance of advanced emergency communication technologies, including CAD systems, 9-1-1 telephony, radio networks, and voice recording systems.

Ensures that BOEC adopts state-of-the-art tools and participates in NextGen 9-1-1 initiatives to optimize operational efficiency.

Virtual Zoom Informational Opportunity

Come meet the Deputy City Administrator for the Public Safety Service Area, BOEC’s Deputy Director, and senior recruiter!

We'll be talking about the position duties and responsibilities, day to day life in the role, review the announcement, discuss how to apply, and answer questions you may have about the position.

Friday, December 12 at 12:00pm (noon) Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Recording Link: Virtual Information Session Recording
Passcode: #82%j9h!

Requirements

1. 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.
2. Experience guiding organizational progress by analyzing existing practices, identifying areas of improvement, establishing a vision, setting measurable objectives and successfully implementing solutions to meet short- and long-term goals.
3. Experience developing, managing, and administering large-scale budgets, including forecasting, resource allocation, and mid-year adjustments in alignment with programmatic priorities and operational needs.
4. Experience creating and maintaining equitable and inclusive workplace practices, including recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse, culturally competent team while fostering a respectful, transparent and service-oriented environment.
5. Experience building and maintaining trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders (including frontline, administrative, and support staff, elected officials, community members, and media) through transparency, accountability, and integrity.
6. Demonstrated knowledge in emergency communications (9-1-1) operations, emergency communications 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 from an accredited college or university, 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.

Qualifications

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Answer to three (3) Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

• Veteran documents to request for Veteran Preference (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.)

We have recently updated our veteran preference process. Starting March 3rd, 2025 If you made the eligible list and met the eligibility to receive veteran preference, you will no longer need to submit veteran documents for future recruitments.

If you need to update or remove your veteran preference for a specific recruitment or from your master profile, please contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.

• Your cover letter should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your resume should support the details described in your cover letter.

How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon Equal Pay Act.

Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying.

It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.

• Do not attach materials not requested.
• All completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.
• All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process. E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
• You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting; instead, use AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and cover letter, weighted 100%.
• Your resume and cover letter will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates to interview.

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

Additional Information

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations
• Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity