PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEMS MANAGER

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction, directs, manages, and coordinates the activities and operations of the City’s public safety information systems as they relate to Information Systems including the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System for E9- 1-1; ensures critical public safety systems function efficiently and effectively on a 24/7 basis; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments and outside agencies, and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director of Information Systems.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Assumes management responsibility for the City’s public safety information systems as they relate to Information Systems including overseeing the development, operations, and maintenance of those systems; analyzes and defines public safety technology requirements.
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for assigned programs; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned staff; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training;
  works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of Police, Fire, and, Information Systems budget items relating to the City’s public safety information systems; participates in the forecasting of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, vendor support contracts, and supplies; monitors expenditures; and suggests adjustments.
• Administers, manages and oversees technical support of various applications and of databases to ensure their integrity and continuous operation; fine tunes for high availability; monitors processes and determines and implements solutions to user problems; manages the installation and upgrade of databases software and applications; sets up and monitors database security and back-up.
• Works with Safety staff, Information Systems staff, and hardware vendors in the evaluation, purchase and maintenance of software packages and hardware requirements.
• Works with Data Processing Manager to ensure data processing standards for development, maintenance, and documentations are maintained.
• Coordinates staff training and provides user support on application systems; responds to hardware and software inquiries; analyzes and resolves complex user problems.
• Serves as project leader on large software installations and/or upgrades involving staff form multiple departments; ensures projects comply with City standards and strategic direction.
• Provides responsible staff assistance to the Director of Information Systems; conducts organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to data processing programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Serves as the liaison for issues relating to public safety technology to other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; responds to and resolves requests, inquiries, and issues.
• Attends new product and technology training sessions; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of information technology.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a data processing program.
• Principles, methods, and techniques of systems and procedures analysis, design and maintenance.
• Programming concepts, methods and techniques.
• Functions, capabilities and limitations of hardware and software.
• Advanced principles and practices of database administration.
• Advanced principles and practices of computer science, information systems and
• telecommunications.
• Advanced methods and techniques of application development, system design, and programming.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive local and wide area network program.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Departmental policy, procedures and operations.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Principles and practices of customer service.

Ability to:

• Oversee and participate in the management of a comprehensive data processing program.
• Oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Participate in the development and administration of division goals, objectives, and procedures.
• Perform highly complex database administration duties.
• Plan, organize, and manage systems and applications projects and programs.
• Respond to user needs and inquiries.
• Evaluate client business requirements and implement information technology solutions.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Prepare and administer large program budgets.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Understand the organization, operation, and services of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in computer science, information systems or a related field. A Master’s degree in a related discipline is highly desirable.

Experience: Seven years of increasingly responsible information systems experience including two years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.

License or Certificate - Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Standard office setting. CONTINUOUS working inside in an office environment. OCCASIONAL: Outdoor field work. Work schedule is on a “9/80”, biweekly pay periods, with unscheduled breaks. Overtime and attending meetings outside regular work hours may be required. Work environment is professional, both team and autonomy oriented, having variable tasks and variable pace and pressure.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and operate office equipment. CONTINUOUS sitting; FREQUENT downward flexion of neck, side-to-side turning of neck; fine finger dexterity and grasp to manipulate keyboard, telephone, writing instruments, papers, books, manuals, and reports; OCCASIONAL walking, standing, bending and stooping, climbing, reaching at and above shoulders, twisting at waist, upward flexion of neck, lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 10-25 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to one block; INFREQUENT squatting, kneeling, pushing/pulling.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Date: September 2005
New Classification - SB/Department