Watch Desk Specialist

Job Posting End Date:

October 13, 2026

Department:

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AND CITIZEN SERVICES

Compensation Grade:

Compensation Range & Starting Salary:

Pay Range: $57,304.00 $89,315.20
Minimum of the Pay Range

Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime):

No

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

About Us:

Recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024, the City of Virginia Beach is proud to offer a diverse and dynamic work environment. Our workforce plays a crucial role in delivering exceptional government services to both our citizens and fellow City employees. Apply now to join an organization where you truly make a difference.

Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications:

BE WHERE INFORMATION BECOMES ACTION

Do you thrive in an environment where information moves quickly, details matter, and no two shifts are exactly the same?

The City of Virginia Beach Emergency Communications and Citizen Services Department is seeking a Watch Desk Specialist to help maintain real-time situational awareness of incidents that may impact the City of Virginia Beach.

The Watch Desk operates at the intersection of public safety, emergency communications, emergency management, technology, and information coordination. Specialists use advanced technologies, public safety systems, and multiple information sources to identify, evaluate, and communicate information about developing incidents, potential threats, and significant events.

This role is ideal for someone who can quickly make sense of changing information, recognize what matters, exercise sound judgment under pressure, and communicate clearly.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

As a Watch Desk Specialist, you will:

• Monitor multiple Police, Fire, and EMS radio channels simultaneously to identify significant incidents and provide timely notifications to City and public safety stakeholders.
• Collect, evaluate, and prioritize information from multiple sources to determine its validity, urgency, significance, and potential impact.
• Receive and transmit information through systems such as Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Police Mutual Aid Radio Systems, the National Warning System (NAWAS), and other local, state, and federal communications systems.
• Analyze developing incidents and assist Emergency Management and ECCS with coordination and resource deployment.
• Support planned and no-notice Emergency Operations Center activations.
• Use camera systems and other technology to assist with locating incidents, suspects, missing or endangered persons, and other public safety events.
• Serve as a subject matter resource for the City's emergency alerting systems and coordinate with Police, Fire, EMS, Emergency Management, and other partners during emergency response.
• Prepare written notifications, reports, and memorandums; participate in training and regional exercises; and contribute to programs and projects that advance the Watch Desk mission.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Successful Watch Desk Specialists remain focused while information changes rapidly and multiple events compete for attention.

Strong candidates will demonstrate:

• Excellent situational awareness and attention to detail.
• Sound judgment and confidence making decisions in time-critical situations.
• The ability to prioritize competing information and responsibilities.
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication.
• Comfort working with technology and learning new systems.
• Knowledge of public safety operations and terminology.
• The ability to collaborate across agencies, disciplines, and City partners.
• Initiative, adaptability, and an interest in helping the Watch Desk continue to grow.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED plus any combination of related education and/or experience equivalent to six years in a public safety-related field.
• Be a United States citizen or have been a lawful resident of the United States for the past 10 consecutive years.
• Obtain and maintain required certifications, including VCIN.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference may be given to candidates with:

• Knowledge of emergency management and public safety technologies supporting Watch Desk operations, including NAWAS, Microsoft Teams, VBAlert, and/or IPAWS.
• Knowledge of law enforcement and Fire/EMS terminology and radio communications, techniques, and procedures.
• Experience working in public safety, making critical decisions, and exercising sound judgment.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) certifications, including IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800.
• Experience using CAD, VCIN, radios, emergency alerting systems, social media, and other public safety or emergency management systems.
• Experience preparing reports, memorandums, or other professional written communications.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS POSITION

The Watch Desk supports public safety operations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Employees must be able to work assigned and rotating shifts, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, and must be available to work overtime when required to meet operational needs.

This position is designated Alpha I, requiring employees to work during inclement weather regardless of the City's operational status.

This is a safety-sensitive position and is subject to mandatory drug testing.

SELECTION PROCESS

Qualified applicants should be prepared to participate in a multi-step selection process that may include:

• Application and qualification review
• Skills/typing assessment, when applicable
• Personal History Questionnaire
• Phone interview, if needed
• Panel interview and written exercise
• Employment reference checks
• Background investigation and fingerprinting

Departmental employees may be exempt from portions of the testing process when applicable.

Tentative Panel Interviews: November 9-10, 2026

Anticipated Start/Transfer Date: December 17, 2026

If you are ready to put your public safety experience to work in a role centered on situational awareness, technology, emergency coordination, and critical decision-making, we encourage you to apply and become part of the Virginia Beach Watch Desk.

Additional requirements:
• DMV Transcript: No
• CDL: No
• Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: No
• CPS Check: No
• Physical: No
• Respirator: No
• Psychological Screening: No
• Polygraph: No
• At Will: No

Minimum Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications: Must be at least 18 years old. High school or GED plus any combination of related education and/or experience equivalent to six (6) years in a public safety related field. Must be a United States citizen or have been a lawful resident of the United States for the past 10 consecutive years. Must obtain and maintain required certifications to include VCIN. Special Requirements: Must be able to work rotating shifts in a 24/7 environment including weekends and holidays and be available to work overtime when required to meet operational needs. This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to mandatory drug testing. Positive drug test results may result in counseling and/or discipline, up to and including, termination. Alpha I Status: Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City’s operational status.

Skills:

Working Conditions:

Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business. 

The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile.  Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position.

https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/P2961.pdf

Official Job Descriptions:

To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=E

VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.