Penobscot Emergency Communications Director

Penobscot County

JOB POSTING

Emergency Communications Director

Job Title: Penobscot RCC Director

Hours: M-F, 8:00am – 4:30pm

Department: Penobscot Regional Communications Center

FLSA Status: Exempt (Salaried)

Date: July 24, 2026

Pay Scale: $98,000 - $118,000

POSTING DATE: July 24, 2026

CLOSING DATE: August 7, 2026

How To Apply

Applications can be found at: https://www.penobscot-county.net/employment or the Human Resources department located on the 1st floor of the County Administration Building, 97 Hammond Street, Bangor.

Completed application may be submitted to HR@penobscot-county.net or:

Penobscot County

Attn: Human Resources

97 Hammond Street

Bangor, ME 04401

Job Summary

The Penobscot Regional Communications Center (PRCC) Director, under the direction of the County Administrator, will plan, lead, direct, develop, and coordinate all functions of PRCC to include, policies, procedures, legal compliance, training, equipment replacement and more. This position works closely with all of the public safety agencies in Penobscot County and across the State of Maine.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Manages operations of the Communications Center and must be available 24/7 for urgent public safety matters.
• Responsible for overseeing all equipment used by communications personnel and end-users to include public safety communications infrastructure; and work closely with outside vendors to manage and maintain equipment.
• Conduct and/or attend regular meetings with stakeholders including the Penobscot Regional Communications System (PRCS) Board of Directors, Region 5 Police Chief's, Penobscot County Fire Chief's, Maine E-911 Council, Maine Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association (ME NENA), and Maine Emergency County Communications Association (MECCA).
• Maintains all qualifications as an Emergency Communications Specialist to include, Emergency Telecommunicators Course, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, Emergency Fire Dispatcher, Certified Terminal Operator, and Next-Generation 911.
• Authors, edits and updates communications center policies and procedures, and ensure policies and procedures are in alignment with state and federal guidelines and requirements.
• Ensures the Deputy Director and line supervisors manage personnel on their shift as outlined in the Communication Center's Standard Operating Procedures and other directives, oral or written.
• Oversees all aspects of training communications center personnel, including continuing education of existing personnel and new hire training.
• Is an active participant in seeking out and applying for grants and other revenue sources.
• Oversees employee evaluation program.
• Ensures radio logs, CAD entries, Metro policies, EMD and EFD requirements are kept in accordance with established policies.
• Maintains and negotiates lease agreements for land and tower sites that house the public safety communications infrastructure.
• Develops RFP's for major equipment and infrastructure upgrades.
• Ensure that the collective bargaining agreement is followed and a close working relationship with the bargaining unit.
• Manages the communications center budget on a monthly basis in conjunction with the County Administrator and other county department heads.
• Responsible for providing a recommendation to hire, suspend, or terminate employment to the County Administrator.
• Understand State and Federal laws in regards to 911.
• This description is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities associated with this position. While this is intended to be a reflection of the current position, management reserves the right to revise these responsibilities or require other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (i.e., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, technological development, etc.)
  
  

General Expectations

• Be committed to the mission, vision and strategic initiatives of the County
• Demonstrate initiative and forward thinking
• Work as a member of the team in the performance of duties
• Work in harmonious relationships with county staff and the public
• Perform duties in a conscientious and cooperative manner
• Understand and work within Penobscot County Government Policies and Procedures
• Accept shared responsibility with county staff to accomplish desired goals
• Assure quality in work performance to ensure the delivery of quality services
• Lead from the front
  
  

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible supervisory or executive leadership experience in public safety, emergency communications, emergency management, law enforcement, fire service, EMS, or a closely related field is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop personnel while fostering a positive, professional, and accountable organizational culture.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact, diplomacy, and professionalism when managing sensitive, confidential, or high-profile matters.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with employees, elected officials, public safety agencies, government officials, vendors, the media, and members of the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with local, county, state, and federal partners while representing the organization in a professional manner.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and consistently meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound, timely decisions during emergency and high-stress situations while maintaining operational continuity.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment with a commitment to providing exceptional public service and ensuring the highest level of service delivery to the communities served.
• Knowledge of budgeting, strategic planning, policy development, labor relations, personnel management, and organizational leadership principles is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with modern computer systems and standard business software, with the ability to quickly learn specialized public safety communications technologies.
• Basic understanding of how Mission Critical Public Safety Communications Systems operate.
  
  

Education And Requirements

• Minimum – Associates Degree in a related field
• Successfully pass a full criminal and motor vehicle background check, polygraph examination, fitness for duty exam, drug screening test and hearing test at the expense of the County.
• EMD, EFD, ETC, CTO, & NG911 within 6 months of hire.
• NENA Center Manager Certification Program (CMCP) completed with one year of hire
  
  

Work Environment

This job operates mostly in a professional office environment. During infrastructure outages or time sensitive public safety events, you may be exposed to hot or cold temperatures depending on the season.

Physical Demands/Conditions/Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, walk, lift, use hands and fingers to operate keyboards and communications equipment. Moderate lifting is required (50 lbs).

Penobscot County provides equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Selected applicant must pass a National Fingerprint Based background check, and motor vehicle background check.