Public Safety Communications Manager

Public Safety Communications Manager

Salary

$126,063.60 - $153,231.00 Annually

Location

Santa Maria, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

FY 27-00157

Department

Police Department

Division

Police - Support

Opening Date

09/10/2026

Closing Date

10/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits

OPPORTUNITY

The City of Santa Maria Police Department is accepting applications for the newly created position of Public Safety Communications Manager. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply!

OPEN: September 10, 2026

CLOSE: October 2, 2026

INTERVIEW DATE: October 21, 2026

WHO WE ARE:

The City of Santa Maria is a full-service City with a City Council/City Manager form of government with over 700 employees and serves approximately 108,000 constituents. The City of Santa Maria is located on the beautiful central coast of California and covers over 23 square miles. The City has a harmonious balance of maintaining coastal and agricultural lands while promoting business. Santa Maria has been recognized nationally as an All-America City by the National Civic League and offers reasonably priced housing, community festivals, quality schools, and is in close proximity to beaches, cultural arts, a local airport, wineries, and higher education institutions.

WHAT WE DO:

The Santa Maria Police Department strives to protect and serve all those who live, work, and/or visit Santa Maria. This is accomplished by working in cooperation with the community, promoting safety and enforcing the law. The Department offers a full range of professional police services that include patrol operations, investigations, traffic and parking enforcement, criminalistics, crime prevention, and many other services necessary to ensure the development of a safer community.

The Santa Maria Police Department Communications Center is the vital link between our community and the public safety professionals who respond when help is needed. Operating 24/7, our dispatchers answer emergency 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls, gather critical information, and coordinate the appropriate response.

Dispatchers communicate directly with officers in the field, monitor multiple radio channels, coordinate with other public safety agencies, and use advanced technology to help keep our community safe.

Every call is different. Every decision matters. As a member of our Communications Center, you will be the voice of the Santa Maria police Department, providing calm, compassionate, and critical assistance when people need it most.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

The ideal candidate exhibits the following qualities:

• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Interpersonal Skills & Empathy
• Communication Skills
• Customer Oriented
• Integrity & Accountability
• Learning Agility
• Problem Solving & Sound Decision Making
• Initiative, Leadership & Professional Judgment

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION:

Public Safety Communications Manager

(Note: This position is a part of the Non-Represented Management and Confidential employee salary group).

REQUIRED SUBMITTALS:

Due upon application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

DUTIES

These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization.

This position:

• Coordinates and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Communications Center, including participation in the development of division goals objectives, budget, and policies and participate in county wide committees pertaining to emergency service issues.
• Plans, coordinates and reviews the work plan for assigned projects and responsibilities, provides administrative and technical direction to dispatch staff, including assigning work, preparing performance evaluations, employee development, hiring, disciplinary recommendations, etc.
• Coordinates and supervises the preparation of work schedules to achieve operational efficiency, staffing strategies to provide for adequate coverage on all shifts, and ensure standardized data driven processes.
• Monitor combined communication center equipment needs, research dispatch equipment, make recommendations on equipment purchase; work with vendors to secure best product and pricing
• Reviews, implements, and interprets operating procedures and submits recommendations for change.
• Understand state 911 funding availability and policies and develop a working relationship with state reps to secure available funding and opportunities.
• Supervises formalized training programs for Communications personnel within P.O.S.T. guidelines; supervises maintenance of records and files; prepares summary reports of dispatch activity.
• Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the department director.
• Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Middle Manager:

Incumbents should have a solid foundation of Individual Contributor and Front-line Supervisor core competencies identified by the organization, as well as the following core competencies identified as essential for Middle Manager (click the hyper link to see the full definition Middle Manager Competencies):

• Talent Development- Effective performers keep a continual eye on the talent pool to monitor skills and needs of team members. They expand staff skills through training, coaching, and development. They evaluate and articulate present performance and future potential.
• Organizing & Planning- Effective performers have strong organizing and planning skills that allow them to be highly productive and efficient, manage time wisely, and effectively prioritize multiple competing tasks.
• Organization Knowledge- Effective performers understand the workings of a municipal organization, formal and informal policies, and structures, and know "how the place works."
• Relationship Building - Effective performers understand that a primary factor in success is establishing and maintaining productive relationships. They interact with people and are good at it. They devote appropriate time and energy to establishing and maintaining networks.
• Results Orientation - Effective performers maintain appropriate focus on outcomes and accomplishments, are motivated by achievement, and persist until the goal is reached.
• Industry Knowledge -Effective performers understand the general workings of local government within which the organization functions and maintain a current knowledge base.
• Written Communication- Effective performers write clearly and concisely, composing informative and convincing documents. They use written language to convey substance and intent with simplicity, accuracy, and clarity.
• Financial Acumen- Effective performers understand the financial framework of the organization. They are cost conscious and fiscally responsible and use financial data to make informed business decisions.
• Change Agility - Effective performers are adaptable, are effective in the face of ambiguity, and support an orientation for change.
• Technology Savvy- Effective performers use technology to be successful in their organizational role. They value technology and leverage existing and new technology to achieve efficiency.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ideally, five years of public safety dispatching experience with a police and/or fire agency, preferably in a consolidated emergency communications center including three years in a supervisory capacity; and

• Graduation from high school. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, or related field is desired.

• Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as:

• Principles of leadership, coaching, mentoring, training, and performance evaluation

• Organization, procedures, and operating details of the emergency communication function

• Basic laws and procedures relating to police and fire field operations

• CAD/RMS systems and related hardware that affect operational and technical issues of a public safety communications environment.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

• Desired licenses and/or certifications associated with the assignment.

• Possession of, or ability to obtain a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Basic Public Safety Dispatcher certificate, or equivalent. Post Supervisory Certificate and/or Management Certificate is desirable.

SELECTION PROCESS

The most qualified candidates will be selected to appear before a panel of subject matter experts for an oral interview. Those applicants invited to an interview will be notified electronically at the email address provided by each candidate through the application process. Therefore, it is the applicants responsibility to provide an accurate email address and to allow their inbox to receive emails in regard to this recruitment. The oral board will recommend a limited number of candidates to the eligibility list from which the new Public Safety Communications Manager may be selected.

Prior to an offer of employment, applicants must pass a thorough background investigation to the satisfaction of the City.

If you are experiencing any technical (computer related) difficulties or need help with attaching documents to your application, please call the NEOGOV help line for assistance at 1-855-524-5627.

The following benefits vary by bargaining unit. For full benefit information please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding or compensation resolution available at https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/services/departments/human-resources/salary-group-agreements.

Retirement

The City of Santa Maria is a member of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Your benefit factor is determined by the retirement formula, age, service credit and final compensation. Based upon your bargaining unit and hire date the benefit factor will vary.

Health Insurance

Medical Insurance is provided to employees and eligible dependents through the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). There are four Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) and three Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) to choose from. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit. See Memorandum of Understanding for eligibility requirements.

The City has a medical insurance benefit program which provides either payment towards the premium for the employee and eligible dependents, or cash payment if you and your dependent(s) already have health benefits. Evidence of major medical health insurance coverage is required for those employees who receive the cash payment.

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance is provided to employees and eligible dependents through The Standard covering 100% of Preventive; 90% of Basic; and 60% of Major with a minimal deductible. The plan includes a Max Builder option rewarding insured employees and their dependents who use only a portion of their annual dental benefit maximum. The benefit amount varies per

bargaining unit.

Vision Insurance

Vision Insurance is available to employees and eligible dependents. Coverage is through VSP and covers an annual Well Vision exam and an allowance towards prescription glasses. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.

Life Insurance and AD&D Coverage

All employees working a minimum of thirty two (32) hours per week are eligible for Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. Supplemental life, spousal and dependent child options are also available. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.

Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

All employees working a minimum of thirty two (32) hours per week, excluding Sworn Police and Fire shall participate in the short-term and long-term disability plan with coverage up to 66 2/3% of salary. Sworn Police and Fire are covered through their respective bargaining unit.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

The City offers a flexible spending account option for Dependent Care and Health Care Expenses. With these plans, employees can choose to place a portion of their earnings into a personal reimbursement account on a pre-tax basis. Doing so lowers employees taxable income for the year and allows them to pay for their qualified dependent care and eligible health care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Employee Assistance Program

The City provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through AETNA for all full and part time employees and their eligible dependents. The confidential EAP program can refer employees to professional counselors and services that can help resolve emotional health, family and work-life issues, or provide help with childcare and eldercare assistance, financial and legal services, identity theft recovery services and daily living services.

Wellness Program

Offered to help employees gain knowledge, skills and motivation to improve the quality of their lives and well-being. The Citys Wellness Program includes ergonomic evaluations, flu shots, and Wellness Workshops during lunch and after work.

Access to the Paul Nelson Aquatics Center for employee and immediate family members.Access to the Weight room at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center for employee and immediate family members. Access to employee discounts and special offers on travel, entertainment, shopping, dining and services.

Mentorship Program

This professional development program of mentoring and job shadowing provides mentees with an opportunity to be mentored by experienced staff with the objective of developing specific skills and knowledge that will enhance the participants leadership skills and promote professional growth.

Succession Planning

The academies are offered to all employees including those that are not yet in a supervisory role, but are interested in becoming leaders within the organization as well as our executive management team who have an interest in honing their skills and helping to prepare our future leaders. In addition to multiple leadership academies, the City offers quarterly Speaker Series, a corporate Toastmasters club available for City employees, site tours of various departments, and more.

Deferred Compensation

Employees may participate in the Citys 457 Deferred Compensation Plan sponsored by either Empower or CalPERS Supplemental Income. The plan enables employees to save salary and earn interest on a tax-deferred basis. A City match is available based upon representation.

The City also provides an IRS approved 401(a) plan sponsored by Empower for managers represented by Non-Represented Full-Time Management & Confidential (NMAC).

Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP)

Based upon your bargaining unit the City may participate in a PEHP plan that will provide reimbursement for out-of-pocket cost of qualified medical expenses such as prescription drugs, doctor co-pays, eyeglasses and cover the reimbursement of medical insurance premiums upon separation or retirement.

Holidays

The City offers seven (7) paid holidays per year. In addition, based upon your bargaining unit a bank of floating holiday hours is available to be used at the employees discretion.

Vacation

The City initially offers two weeks of paid vacation per calendar year for all full time employees. Accrual rates increase thereafter based upon your bargaining unit.

Sick Leave

Sick leave shall accrue a rate of eight hours for each month of continuous service, or approximately two weeks per year for all full time employees. Employees may use up to half of their annually accrued sick leave for family illness and up to five days (40 hours) per calendar year for bereavement leave.

Management Leave

Management level employees may receive a prorated amount of management leave time each new calendar year.

Educational Incentive Program

In addition to regular pay when education is in addition to the regular requirements of the job specifications and is work related.

Tuition Reimbursement

Based on your bargaining unit, you may be reimbursed for tuition and book costs of approved job related courses. The maximum amount of tuition reimbursement in any calendar year will vary based upon your bargaining unit.

Auto Allowance

Management level employees may receive auto allowance based upon the need of the position.

Telephone/PDA Stipend

Management level employees may receive a telephone and/or PDA stipend based upon the need of the position.

Bilingual Pay

Bilingual pay is provided to employees who are required by their department head to use both English and Spanish in communicating with the public while performing the duties of his/her position and who demonstrate appropriate skills in both speaking and understanding the Spanish language shall receive compensation. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.

Employer City of Santa Maria

Address 110 East Cook Street, Room 1

Santa Maria, California, 93454

Phone 805-925-0951 ext. 2203

Website http://www.cityofsantamaria.org