Community Warning Systems Manager

Job Description:

Community Warning Systems Manager

Description

The Position

Bargaining Unit: Local 21 - Supervisory Management

Why Join Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff?
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is the largest law enforcement agency in Contra Costa with over 1,100 sworn and professional employees dedicated to providing the highest level of law enforcement and customer services. The Office of the Sheriff offers a full range of services to over 1,000,000 residents in the 715-square mile county. The duties and mission of the Sheriff's Office are unlike most police agencies. Responsibilities include unincorporated area policing, contract cities (Danville, Lafayette, and Orinda) and special districts, air support (helicopters), marine patrol, dispatch, investigations, coroners, county detention facilities, custody alternative, court security, forensic services, police academy, and Office of Emergency Services.

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is seeking to fill one (1) Community Warning Systems Manager vacancy within the Emergency Services Division.

About The Position:
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff's Emergency Services Division is offering an excellent employment opportunity for qualified individuals interested in the Community Warning System Manager Coordinator position. Under general direction, the Community Warning System Manager Coordinator serves as the County's liaison with industry representatives and other organizations involved with the CWS; coordinates CWS-related efforts of other County departments; directs the ongoing community education component of the CWS and directs the efforts of related staff and performs related work as required.

This position is responsible for the 24-hour operation of the CWS as well as the long-term planning related to integrating the system with the emergency service functions of the County and other government agencies.The CWS Manager supervises clerical, technical, and planning staff; manages vendor contracts; and oversees the development of operational procedures and public education initiatives. A high degree of discretion and independent action while representing the Sheriff and County with private industry and emergency service providers is a significant portion of the incumbent's responsibility.

Another major component of the job is the ongoing education of the community to establish both reasonable expectations of what the system will provide and the appropriate response from citizens. The Community Warning System Manager shares on-call responsibilities with the CWS Team and will occasionally be required to respond to EOC activations on weekends, holidays, and night shifts.

The Community Warning System Manager Coordinator reports to the Emergency Services Division Commander and supervises emergency planning and technical staff. The Office of the Sheriff manages the County's Office of Emergency Services and a world-class Emergency Operations Center. It is seen as a leader in Emergency Management and Alert and Warning throughout the region.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Is flexible and can adapt to change and new ways of working
• Is able to lead and motivate a small team in a high-stakes environment
• Is a team player who collaborates well with staff, agencies, and the general public
• Is able to coordinate effectively with a variety of partners, including government, community, and private sector organizations
• Is available to work nights and/or weekends during emergency activations
• Is confident making independent decisions and exercising sound judgment under pressure

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Ensuring the readiness of the County Community Warning System (CWS) through staff training, system test and exercises, and supervision of contractors
• Supervising a small team of clerical, technical, and/or planning staff to support day-to-day operations and readiness
• Evaluating new technologies and recommending updates to improve emergency alerting capabilities
• Coordinating the integration of the CWS into planning and training for local law enforcement, fire agencies, hazardous materials, public health and other emergency service providers
• Administering, monitoring, and periodically renegotiates CWS-related service and maintenance contracts
• Preparing annual budget request and monitoring of expenditures against approved budget
• Supporting the Operational Area Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations, including after-hours or emergency deployments
• Participating in various, Federal, State, and local committees, and working groups as designated
• Performing systems, needs and administrative analysis for the Community Warning System, and providing recommendations as needed
• Measuring the effectiveness of public information methods, including social media campaigns and community outreach

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and varied work environment
• You will have the opportunity to build strong relationships with operational area partners and public safety agencies
• You will directly impact the safety and preparedness of the community through the work you do
• You will play a key role in emergency services and public alerting
• You will help shape public messaging and educate the community on how to respond to alerts
• You will work with evolving technologies to strengthen emergency communications

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will respond to emergency events occurring during nights, weekends, or holidays
• You will balance strategic planning with the operational demands of a 24/7 alerting system
• You will shift priorities quickly to address urgent incidents and real-time system activations
• You will navigate coordination across multiple agencies with differing protocols and expectations
• You will manage public expectations regarding the capabilities and limitations of the Community Warning System

Competencies Required:

• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities
• Business Process Analysis: Defining, assessing, and improving operational processes and workflow
• Leading Cross-Divisional Collaboration: Demonstrating cooperation and teamwork while working within and across divisions and teams
• Project Management: Ensuring that projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives

To read the complete job description, please visit the website; www.cccounty.us/hr

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of Valid California Vehicle Operator's License. Out-of-state valid motor vehicle operator's license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Disaster or Emergency Planning, Sociology, Communications, Computer Science, Business or Public Administration, or a closely related field.

Experience: Three years of full-time increasingly responsible experience in a large department, institution or public agency, managing a major program which included direct responsibility for preparation and dissemination to the public and/or public safety personnel of oral and/or written information and acting as an agency spokesperson.

Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis, up to a maximum of two years.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Substantial management-level experience in a public safety, emergency management, or communications-related setting
• Experience overseeing complex programs or systems related to public alerting or emergency communications
• Proficiency in using emergency or mass notification software
• Experience operating within a law enforcement, military, or structured chain-of-command environment
• Strong technical writing, proofreading, or policy development skills
• Experience engaging with community organizations, political stakeholders, or interagency groups
• Fluency in Spanish or American Sign Language (ASL)

Selection Process

Application Filing: All applicants must apply on-line at www.cccounty.us/hr and submit the information indicated on the job announcement and supplemental questionnaire by the final filing date.
Application Evaluation: Depending on the number of applications received, an Application Evaluation Board may be convened to evaluate and select the best-qualified candidates for invitation to the next phase of the examination.
In-Person Oral Board Assessment: Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an in-person oral board assessment. This assessment will present structured questions or scenarios designed to measure job-relevant competencies. Candidates must achieve an average score of at least 70% in each competency area and an overall score of 70% or higher to advance. These may include, but are not limited to: Analyzing & Interpreting Data, Professional & Technical Expertise, Displaying Ownership and Accountability, Handling Stress, Oral Communication, Writing, Building & Maintaining Relationships, Leading Cross-Divisional Collaboration, and Project Management (Weighted 100%)Departmental Interviews: June-July 2025 (TBD)
The In-Person Oral Board Assessment is tentatively scheduled to take place: June-July 2025 (TBD)

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment specific questions, please contact Norma Martinez at Norma.Martinez@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.


CONVICTION HISTORY
After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 6/15/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$110,110.03 - $133,839.43 Annually