Police Emergency Communications Network Manager

Full Job Description

Under the general supervision of an Assistant Director, the Network Manager is responsible for leading a team in performing highly technical and complex work in the management of the Emergency Communications Commission’s (ECC) data communications networks and critical IT systems.

These systems support Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), County and municipal police departments, fire protection districts, and local government agencies throughout St. Louis County.

The role requires significant interaction with public safety agencies, County IT, outside service vendors, and communications partners.

Work includes oversight of a multi-location, distributed server and network architecture that supports mission-critical, “zero-downtime” public safety operations.

The employee exercises independent judgment in service modification, incident response, and the correction of service degradation or disruption.

Work is reviewed for efficiency, responsiveness, system reliability, compliance, and quality of outcomes.

Duty Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, and is subject to recall for emergencies or for after-hours events.

Per the Department's Collective Bargaining Agreement, newly hired employees who do not possess corresponding experience will start at the base starting pay listed in this posting.

Requirements

• Coordinates the installation, replacement, modification, upgrade, and maintenance of the ECC’s IT systems, data communications networks, and associated equipment.
• Works with County IT staff and contractors to ensure high-availability performance, cybersecurity compliance, and operational standards.
• Oversees commercial and vendor-provided network services to ensure optimal performance and adherence to service-level agreements.
• Ensures continuous operation of ECC IT systems and data communications networks, including readiness and failover capability of backup/redundant systems.
• Coordinates activities and manages equipment placement in the ECC’s primary data center and redundant core equipment sites; oversees cable and infrastructure management.
• Coordinates acquisition of IT systems, network equipment, and services; collaborates with ECC leadership, County IT, procurement, and outside vendors.
• Reviews contracts, evaluates bid proposals, maintains documentation, and ensures all services meet contractual, technical, and compliance requirements.
• Stays current on emerging network and communications technologies through ongoing vendor engagement and industry research.
• Provides strategic direction and assigns tasks to the ECC Network Unit team.
• Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of fiber optic, microwave, and IP-based data communication networks.
• Considerable knowledge of the operation of P25 digital trunked radio systems and 9-1-1 systems.
• Knowledge of network security principles, Zero Trust concepts, and cybersecurity compliance frameworks (e.g., CJIS, NIST).
• Proficiency with enterprise routing and switching technologies (e.g., OSPF, BGP, VLANs), network segmentation, and high-availability architectures.
• Skill in assessing network performance issues, troubleshooting complex systems, and implementing corrective actions.

• Skill in preparing system specifications, analyzing proposals, and managing vendor relationships.
• Develop and implement IT infrastructure strategies that keep the network current and reliable for all emergency communications systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, public safety partners, and service vendors.

Training and Experience:

Undergraduate degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a closely related field is preferred but not required; supplemented by advanced technical training in telecommunications or data communications and four years of experience in data communications or IT systems management and operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional certifications: 
  1. CCNP, CCNA, Network+, or equivalent
  2. Security+ or CISSP
  3. ITIL v4 Foundation
• Experience with: 
  1. Firewall platforms (Palo Alto, Cisco, or Fortinet)
  2. Network monitoring tools (SolarWinds, PRTG, NetBox, SIEM platforms)
  3. Cloud networking (AWS/Azure hybrid connectivity, VPN tunnels, virtual networks)
  4. SD-WAN, Zero Trust, and microsegmentation technologies
  5. Disaster recovery planning and high-availability architectures
• Experience supporting public safety communications systems or other 24/7/365 mission-critical environments.

Work Environment & Conditions:

• Work is performed in office, data center, and field environments. Role requires occasional climbing, equipment installation, and work within cabling or communications rooms.
• May require irregular hours during outages, emergencies, or major system maintenance.

Additional Information

The St. Louis County Police Department offers tuition reimbursement and education incentives for professional staff employees who possess a degree of higher education from an accredited institution.

The education pay incentive only applies if the degree is not a position requirement. They shall receive the following addition to their base rate of pay:

Associate's degree: $1,200/year

Bachelor's degree: $2,400/year

Master's degree: $4,800/year

Doctorate degree: $7,200/year

CITIZENSHIP: Citizen of the United States or valid work permit, and apply for citizenship when eligible.
AGE LIMITS: Eighteen (18) years of age at the time of appointment.
EDUCATION: Educational requirements and skills will be determined by the position classification.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG GUIDELINES: Any illegal adult use or possession of a controlled substance, including marijuana, within one year prior to employment. The word “drug” refers to any type of controlled substance for which you do not have a prescription; to includemarijuana in all forms (edibles, gummies, or any other product containing THC).
TATTOO POLICY: Applicants and Department employeesshall not display tattoos that are visible on the face, neck, head or hands. Visible tattoos on other areas of the body may be displayed with Department approval.
ARREST: Must be free from conviction of a felony or a Class "A" misdemeanor.
MILITARY: Must not have a "Dishonorable" discharge or "Bad Conduct" discharge if having served in the military. All "Other Than Honorable" discharges will be reviewed on an individual basis.


COMPETITIVE SELECTION PROCESS
Under the regulations of the Police Department, all appointments to the St. Louis County Police Department are made on the basis of a continuously open, competitive hiring process conducted under the supervision of the Personnel Services Unit. Each applicant must successfully complete each stage of the selection process before becoming eligible to proceed to the next step.


AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The Board of Police Commissioners resolved that subject to all applicable State and Federal statutory or judicial exemptions, all qualified applicants for employment and/or advancement, whether commissioned or civilian, shall be given equal opportunity for consideration, selection, appointment and retention, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or political affiliation.