Director of Communications

About the Morales Administration 

The Morales Administration is working to build A Providence for All—a city government that delivers effective, accessible, and responsive services to every resident. Its priorities include making Providence a city where families can afford to live and feel safe. They also include supporting public schools and young people, taking a community-centered approach to public safety grounded in prevention, compassion, and accountability, and keeping public spaces open to everyone. We are building a city government that listens to neighbors, shows up in every neighborhood, and works openly with the residents it serves. Every city employee contributes to this mission. We welcome people committed to public service, treating others with dignity and respect, and helping make our city work better for everyone.

About the Department 

The Department of Communications is part of the City's public safety system, working alongside the Fire Department, Police Department, and Emergency Management Agency under the Department of Public Safety. The Department oversees the municipal radio, telephone, digital, and associated equipment that connect first responders and residents during emergencies. The Morales Administration is committed to a community-centered approach to public safety that combines effective emergency response, violence prevention, accountability, and restorative practices. It is also committed to ensuring every neighbor receives respectful, effective, and culturally competent assistance in an emergency.

About the Role

Pursuant to Article X, Section 1001(c) of the Providence Home Rule Charter, the Director of Communications is appointed by the Commissioner of Public Safety and serves as the chief executive officer of the Department of Communications. The Director has jurisdiction over all design, procurement, installation, and operation of the municipal radio, telephone, digital, and other associated equipment. The Director will assist in providing leadership to develop a proficient plan of operation for the Department of Communications and provide the City of Providence with the most cost-effective technology in the field of telecommunications, serving every neighbor. The Director will demonstrate excellent problem-solving, critical-thinking, management, and strategic planning skills, along with knowledge of the Providence community, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and a willingness to develop new skills on the job.

This role will help advance the administration's priorities, including:

• Strengthen transparency and public trust by supporting accurate, timely, accessible, and culturally competent information for residents 
• Partner with relevant City departments to improve the quality of emergency dispatch services by expanding language accessibility and client-service training, so every neighbor receives respectful, effective, and culturally competent assistance during emergencies and neighborhood concerns.
• Support the Public Safety Commissioner in strengthening interagency communication among the Fire Department, Police Department, Emergency Management Agency, and other public safety partners.

This description outlines the general nature and principal responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be exhaustive. Duties and assignments may evolve consistent with applicable laws, the Providence Home Rule Charter, City ordinances, personnel regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and the lawful direction of the Commissioner of Public Safety, consistent with the executive authority of the Mayor.

Core responsibilities include:

1. Serve on the Mayor's Emergency Advisory Board (EAB) to discuss remedies for City emergencies.
2. Meet with the Deputy Director and Operations Assistant to manage the Department.
3. Implement and enforce departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures under the authority of the Commissioner of Public Safety. Oversee personnel investigations, disciplinary processes, and related recordkeeping consistent with applicable personnel regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and due process requirements.
4. Ensure that a close, collaborative liaison is maintained with other City departments, State and local municipalities, and provide them with technical advice and specifications for the procurement of new technology.
5. Ensure the efficient and effective operation of all divisions within the Department of Communications.
6. Regularly coordinate with the Rhode Island State Police and other appropriate agencies to ensure compliance with applicable National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Rhode Island Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (RILETS), and Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) requirements, including system access, security, training, and operational procedures.
7. Meet regularly with other Public Safety officials, internally and externally, to strengthen coordination and ensure a continuum of safety across events and departments.
8. Discharge the Director's duties and all additional responsibilities which may from time to time be assigned to the Department of Communications in accordance with the Home Rule Charter.
9. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, emergency management, telecommunications, or a related field, or a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible supervisory experience in administration, public safety communications, or related operations, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of telecommunications and/or radio communications technology is preferred.
• Familiarity with the City of Providence including the neighborhoods and community.
• Evidence of exceptional problem-solving, critical-thinking, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects and teams concurrently.
• Demonstrated ability to be self-directed and take initiative.
• Ability to learn quickly and be effective in a fast-paced, dynamic, often under stressful circumstances and while making sound managerial decisions.
• Acute cross-cultural awareness, with a demonstrated ability to center equity in communications.
• Ability to identify and track key issues of concern to the City of Providence and develop initiatives to address these concerns.
• Must be able to perform all essential functions of the job.

Reports to:Commissioner of Public Safety

Labor Status: Non-Union

Employment Status:Full-Time

FLSA Status:Exempt

Rate of Pay:A-27,  $129,333 - $141,359

Benefits: Please see description of benefits here: https://www.providenceri.gov/hr/hr-benefits-active-ee/ 

Equal Opportunity in Employment: The Morales Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise to thrive in this role. The City of Providence is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds.