Public Safety Director at City of Northampton, MA – Northampton, Massachusetts

The City of Northampton is seeking a Director of Public Safety for the Dispatch Center! DIRECTOR:

One (1) Full-time Vacancy: 40 hours per week

Grade J; Hourly Rate Range: $36.33 - $47.48

Anticipated Hiring Hourly Rate Range: $36.33 – $41.01

Proposed Start Date: May 11, 2026

DEFINITION:

Position is responsible for performing administrative and supervisory work in directing the operations, planning, development, coordination and management of the Public Safety Communications Center.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Hires new dispatchers; assists in designing, developing and reviewing training programs for all new and current employees; evaluates employees and conducts annual performance reviews; oversees scheduling of dispatchers by Lead Dispatcher.

Manages personnel; supports and recognizes employee performance; investigates and participates in resolving complaints from and/or concerning employees; handles corrective actions and discipline, when needed; monitors training certifications; performs quality assurance checks of work.

Functions as dispatcher in emergency situations, during staffing shortages and to fill shifts due to vacancies based on availability and schedule; assumes responsibilities of Lead Dispatcher in her/his absence; remains “on call” at all hours for dispatchers and other City departments for issues or situations involving communications.

Oversees the operation and maintenance of the equipment within the Communications Center (“Center”) and all other equipment associated with the Center; prepares maintenance agreements for all equipment; oversees emergency response for any public safety communication equipment failure; schedules routine maintenance on dispatch communication equipment

Maintains and renews all radio (FCC) licenses utilized by police and fire; manages installation and maintenance of Enhanced 911 data base and all equipment associated with Enhanced 911 system

Serves as police and fire department liaison to statewide Emergency Telecommunications Board relative to the Enhanced 911 equipment and procedures.

Manages database of City’s reverse calling system; launches emergency and non-emergency notifications to public and city employees.

Prepares audio evidence for investigations and court by creating CDs of radio transmissions and phone calls.

Develops and implements policies and procedures and promulgates rules and regulations for the Center; establishes employee standards within the Center to equal those of police and fire department employees; prepares periodic reports on the operations of the Center.

Researches, prepares and monitors the Center’s budget, including projecting year end budget; identifies and implements budgetary controls; oversees payroll, accounts payable, grant applications and reimbursements.

Communicates with other departments and area communities to improve efficiency of operations; serves on Police Mutual Aid working group; assists with planning drills; chairs Communication working group charged with improving overall City communications.

Keeps up to date on industry standard, changes in technology and dispatching philosophies, and determines implementation plans for changes.

Performs similar or related work as required.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

The employee has regular access at the departmental level to a variety of sensitive and confidential information.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High School degree or equivalent, supplemented by additional specialized training in public safety and emergency management equivalent to one or two years in college, and from three to four continuous years of public safety dispatch experience, including progressively responsible supervisory and personnel management experience and experience managing complex electronic and data retrieval systems operations, or any equivalent combination of education and experience, required.

Required to submit to and successfully pass Massachusetts criminal record check.

Required to be APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator, 911 certified, and Priority Dispatch EMD.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILLS:

Knowledge: Knowledge of theories, principles, techniques and practices of public safety communications; knowledge of police, fire and emergency medical service operations; knowledge of Center’s jurisdictional authority relative to all agencies; knowledge of Center’s policies and procedures; knowledge of Police and Fire policies and procedures; knowledge and understanding of communication systems.

Abilities: Ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of all positions within the Center. Ability to supervise and direct personnel who work under stressful situations. Ability to perform multiple tasks and attend to a number of details occurring at the same time in an accurate manner; ability to prioritize; ability to work as part of a team as well as independently. Ability to think clearly and effectively and handle occasional high levels of stress. Ability to budget and work with a changing financial situation and to foresee expenses and project the budget. Ability to tactfully and clearly communicate with the public and other city officials in adverse and normal conditions.

Skills: Skilled in planning, organizing, coordinating and directing the overall program of emergency communications; budgetary skills; skilled in interacting with general public in a calm and appropriate manner; skilled in eliciting needed information from an individual who may be a child, injured, in need of emergency service personnel and/or in a highly agitated frame of mind; skilled in providing clear directions over the telephone or the radio.

PHYSICAL, MOTOR, AND VISUAL SKILLS:

Physical Skills: The work involves physical skills typical of an office environment, including sitting, standing, walking and stooping. May be required to lift objects such as files, boxes of papers, office supplies, and office equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.

Motor Skills: The work may require motor skills for activities such as moving objects, using office equipment, including but not limited to telephones, personal computers, handheld technology, and other office equipment.

Visual Skills: Essential position functions require the ability to review documents for general understanding and the ability to adjust focus to view small print.

BENEFITS:

Benefits and privileges are consistent with Northampton Association of Professional Employees Association (NAPEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement Contract

This job posting closes on April 20, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.

~ Equal Opportunity Employer ~