Manager of the Emergency Communications Center

The Port of Portland is Hiring for a dynamic

Manager of the Emergency Communications Center

Who we are: The Port of Portland is a gateway to the globe. With three airports, four marine terminals, and five business parks, the Port of Portland is an economic engine for transforming the region into a place where everyone is welcome, empowered, and connected to opportunities for good jobs and business growth.

Your Role: We are seeking an individual to be responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction to the Airport Communication Center (ACC), with a focus on the provision of emergency communication services in support of public safety and aviation security functions. This role manages the operational aspects specific to public safety communications and is responsible for managing dispatchers and call takers who deliver exceptional service in support of law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and aviation security. It also will propose and develop strategic initiatives for public safety communications, focusing on optimizing emergency response protocols and technologies that enhance the safety of first responders, airport employees, and the traveling public while aligning with state and federal standards, Port policy, and best practices. This position collaborates with the ACC Senior Manager and ACC management team for any inter-departmental or cross-functional projects that impact broader ACC operations. This position will manage staff represented by the Port of Portland Police Employees Association (POPPEA) collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Primarily indoor office environment with occasional visits to other Port and stakeholder facilities; oversees an operation that operates extended hours operates 24/7, 365 days per year, requiring work outside normal business hours or normal office environment during emergencies, within Incident Command System framework and as necessary to perform the job. Must be available to work overtime, holidays, weekends, and flexible shifts outside of usual schedule.

• Lead the Airport Public Safety Communications team focusing on operational efficiency, safety, and strategic improvement in public safety communications supporting law enforcement activities, fire and emergency medical services, and aviation security.
  • Oversee and optimize emergency dispatching and communication services, ensuring safety of first responders and the public as well as compliance with industry standards and regulations.
  • Manage daily operations and provide strategic oversight for public safety communication protocols and emergency response procedures.
  • Manage ongoing projects assigned to staff.
• Manage dispatchers and call takers and maintain positive labor relations within the Public Safety Communications team.
  • Implement and monitor key performance indicators to ensure the communication center meets or exceeds operational expectations. Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities to enhance team capabilities and ensure high performance.
  • Assist the ACC Senior Manager as part of the management team not only with collective bargaining negotiations and administration of the CBA but also with timely management of grievances and administration of discipline when appropriate. Make recommendations to the ACC Senior Manager about the formulation and effective management of policies under the CBA.
  • Support Public Safety & Security (PS&S) and Port-wide strategic and Shared Prosperity goals through the development of workplans for the Public Safety Communications team.
• Oversee cross-functional initiatives specifically within the public safety communication sphere, while maintaining awareness of industry standards.
  • Collaborate with relevant external agencies and stakeholders on projects that enhance emergency response capabilities.
  • Ensure that cross-functional initiatives impacting multiple departments or broader ACC operations are coordinated with the ACC Senior Manager.
• Develop and manage budgets, resources, and strategic plans for public safety communications.
• Respond to airport and other Port emergencies on a 24/7 basis, including serving as a key Incident Command System (ICS) member and leading the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) logistics coordination when the EOC is activated

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience required for this role.

• 5 - 8+ years of public safety communications, emergency management, or a related field. Demonstrated experience in managing complex systems, leading cross-functional teams, and strategic planning is required.
• Communications, public administration, business administration or related field; degree in Criminal Justice/Law enforcement (preferred).
• Required to obtain PDX Security badge with Drivers Designation
• Pass criminal and other role specific background checks.

Demonstrated Skills & Abilities

• Senior Level - Operational aspects of an airport and emergency communication center management.
• Senior Level - Federal, state, and local laws governing emergency communications, including compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
• Senior Level - Continuous process improvement practices, with the ability to implement innovative solutions.
• Senior Level - Strong strategic leadership and project management skills, with the ability to oversee complex public safety communication systems.
• Senior Level - Develop and manage budgets, ensuring efficient resource allocation.

Compensation

Our organization adheres to established salary ranges for each position to ensure equitable pay practices. However, final offers are determined based on various factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, and considerations of internal pay equity.

SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Application Materials & Qualification Review

2. Screening Interview

3. CritiCall Test -to test computer literacy and typing skills (This would only be required if the individual is not already DPSST certified or does not have a 4-year degree)

4. Panel Interview

5. Background Investigation

6. Psychological Exam

7. Medical Exam

8. Pre-employment Drug Test

9. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) & Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Screening

10. Employment Confirmation

Testing and Certification (Pre-Hire):

*Applicant must complete the CritiCall pre-employment test, a computer literacy and typing test to measure underlying skills and abilities needed for this role. (This would only be required if the individual is not already DPSST certified or does not have a 4-year degree)

Testing and Certification (Post-Hire):

*Obtain an Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Certification as Telecommunications and Emergency Medical Dispatcher within 18 months of hire.

*Comply with Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) requirements within 30 days of hire, which includes successfully completing CJIS Security Awareness Training and passing a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. (The training will be post hire, but the finger print background check is pre-hire).

Background and Security:

*Must successfully pass and maintain clearance of a comprehensive Criminal History Records Check and a Security Threat Assessment for a PDX Security Badge, are required.

1. A minimum qualification evaluation of education, training, and experience of submitted application packets will take place by Human Resources the week of May 5, 2025.
2. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials.
3. Our goal is to schedule virtual first round of interviews with candidates who successfully passed the SME evaluation as soon as possible.

About us:

At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have - our three airports, three working marine terminals, five business parks, and all the resources, expertise, and experience behind them - to move with purpose, connecting people with powerful opportunities and creating value for our region. We know that every person we hire, business we work with, contract we sign and decision we make is a chance to make someone's life better. And we'll use our power and influence to pull down barriers, unlock new opportunities, ensure more people share in our region's success and include those who have been excluded in the past. With YOUR help - together with our partners, customers, and community - we'll help drive meaningful change!

Do you have questions about this job?

Contact us: careers@portofportland.com

Safety: The Port promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice in accomplishing work by complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Port of Portland is dedicated to maintaining and improving a work environment, which extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation. Employment decisions shall be made in such a manner as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination and affirmative action. At the Port, we don't just accept difference; we value and support it to create a culture of inclusiveness and fun. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Veterans Preference: Under Oregon law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Port of Portland positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veteran's preference for this job, please provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Background Checks and Drug Testing: The Port of Portland will conduct background checks and/or drug tests for positions where such tests are required by regulation and for other safety-sensitive positions.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the Port can reasonably do so without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 503-415-6690 or email careers@portofportland.com.