ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - COMMUNITY WATCH

Step into a leadership role that keeps one of the nation’s most unique communities safe, connected, and running smoothly around the clock. The Villages Community Development Districts are seeking a dynamic, forward‑thinking Assistant Director of Community Watch to help guide a 24/7 operation that supports residents, partners with public safety agencies, and oversees critical communications, patrol, and gate operations. This is an opportunity to influence strategy, strengthen community relationships, and ensure exceptional service delivery across a fast‑paced, high‑visibility department.

If you’re an experienced leader with strong operational insight, a commitment to public service, and the ability to manage people, processes, and priorities with confidence, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact every day.

JOB SUMMARY

This is a managerial, exempt position serving under the administrative direction of the Community Watch Director in overseeing all operations and personnel of Community Watch, which provides services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year through its administrative, patrol, gate attendant, and communication center resources. This position reports directly to the Community Watch Director. This is an advanced supervisory position, providing support across all aspects of the Community Watch Department and responding to calls for assistance from partner departments and agencies arising from a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations. The Assistant Director is responsible for supervising subordinate personnel through the designated reporting structure, directing responses within the organization, and performing various administrative duties as required, including direct involvement in the preparation and management of the Community Watch budget and in reporting departmental activities to the Community Watch Director and Assistant District Manager. This position directly oversees all Communications operations and supervises personnel of the Communication Division. The Assistant Director is also responsible for the financial aspects of the department, including oversight of the annual operating budget, and serves in the place of the Community Watch Director in their absence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Includes, but not limited to) 

Administrative

• Attend meetings and functions outside business hours and conducts weekly staff meetings during absence of the Community Watch Director as needed.
• Performs other related duties assigned by the Community Watch Director, including representing the Community Watch Director at District Board meetings, public meetings, staff functions and speaking engagements.

• Administers Community Watch vendor service to ensure contract requirements are met.
• Prepares and submits Community Watch Annual Report each year.
• Coordinates, prepares and oversees the development and issuance of special reports, plans and studies as required by the Community Watch Director.
• Ensures the proper maintenance of facilities and grounds.
• Establishing and communicating work priorities with staff and community members.
• Provides direction and oversight to department staff with issues related to purchasing, budget, finance, and technology.
• Supervises departmental purchasing and other financial procedures.
• Analyzes budget performance through review of revenues and expenditures throughout the year.
• Provides direct and indirect supervision to Communications Supervisors, Dispatchers, Sub Dispatchers, Communications Specialists, Sub Communications Specialist.
• Oversees the Florida Telecommunication Accreditation Process.
• Responsible for management of all activities and processes within Community Watch, in the absence of the Community Watch Director.
• Remains available (24) hours per day, (7) days per week, for Administrative On-Call response, in the absence of the Community Watch Director.

Personnel

• Coordinates, supervises, and participates in the training of Community Watch personnel.
• Receives and investigates complaints regarding Community Watch personnel and/or activities.
• Reviews reports submitted by subordinates for completeness and accuracy; ensures the proper documentation of all incidents and responses.
• Provides daily interaction with staff and other departments about the status of current projects.
• Maintains a personnel list for the department in keeping with budgeted allocation.
• Provides support to managers and program staff in the budget formulation process by researching and compiling background and historical data to assist in the development of budget estimates and justifications, and to identify the cost of operations.

Budget/Purchasing

• Assists in the development of the department’s budget by providing the Community Watch Director with requested Community Watch information within required timeframes and in formats needed during the annual budget preparation to ensure department’s timely submittal of same.
• Research and develop business and financial policies and procedures. Assesses the need, applicability and impact of individual policies and procedures related to Community Watch operations and administration. Evaluates conclusions and recommends alternative strategies to the Community Watch Director.
• Prepares necessary documents within required timeframes and specifications for major operating expenditures within the Community Watch budget.
• Provides financial guidance in the prioritization of Community Watch resources allocation in adherence to Community Watch annual budget and capital improvement plans.
• Liaison between Community Watch and District Budget Office and Finance Department for budget and finance-related items.
• Establishes Community Watch goals, objectives, and action plans to effectively provide technical, budgetary, and administrative services.

SUPERVISION

• Supervises individuals performing the following functions, with a combination of direct and indirect supervision as appropriate:
  • Training 
  • Operations management
  • Personnel relations
  • Records/database management
  • Logistics and inventory control
  • Communications
  • Administrative and Staff Assistants

 Additional 

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• May be expected to perform additional duties in an emergency. 

ESSENTIAL EXPECTATIONS OF PERFORMANCE AND BEHAVIOR 

• Exemplifies the District’s Core Values through consistently professional behavior and decision-making. 
• Cultivates and maintains effective working relations within the department, the District, as well as outside organizations.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited educational institution, or any combination of equivalent training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Seven (7) years proven progressive executive leadership experience.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in Law Enforcement or Corporate Security preferred.
• Prior experience with state /local government preferred.

MINIMUM CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid Florida Driver’s License required.
• Required FEMA (ICS) certifications must be completed within six (6) months of hire.
• All candidates and employees must successfully pass background screening.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

Knowledge

• Knowledge as required to support the Essential Duties and Responsibilities.

Skills: 

• Proven Intermediate or better proficiency in Microsoft Office, to include Work, Excel, , PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Intermediate or better proficiency in CAD software or similar database programs.

Abilities: 

• Develop and maintain working relationships with local law enforcement officials.
• Abilities as required to support the Essential Duties and Responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to the following:

• Position requires the use of telephones, personal computers and productivity software, document imaging scanners, copiers, and other office equipment.
• Department vehicles and radios.
• The employee is exposed to an interior office environment, with moderate change in temperature. The work environment is inside an air-conditioned building.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• There are frequent interruptions from the staff and the general public for information or assistance.
• Work under various conditions, inside and outside environment and work with others in stressful situations.
• May be required to work in adverse weather conditions (i.e., hurricanes, thunderstorms, etc.)
• May be required to work different schedules prior, during and following EOC activations and special events.

Physical Requirements

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

While performing the duties of this job, the following applies:

• Regularly required to stand; walk, push/pull; use hands/fingers; reach forward; reach overhead; kneeling; stooping; twisting; squatting; sitting; balancing.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and may be required to lift up to 30 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.