EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Tarrant County 9-1-1 District
EXECUTIVE SEARCH PROVIDED BY THE COMMUNITY Located in north-central Texas, Tarrant County has a population of over 2.5 million, covers 1,100 square miles, and is the third- most populous county in Texas and the 16th most populous in the nation. The county is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Area and the county seat is Fort Worth. Tarrant County enjoys great connectivity, with air service provided by DFW International Airport, Love Field, Alliance Airport, Meacham International Airport, Spinks Airport, and local rail service provided by the Dallas Area Rapid Transport authority.
Tarrant County is a thriving hub for transportation, healthcare, and manufacturing experiencing substantial population growth in recent years. The area’s major employers include AMR Corp. (American Airlines and Envoy Air), Texas Health Resources, Lockheed Martin, NAS Fort Worth JRB, Fort Worth Independent School District, Arlington Independent School District, and Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
The county’s residents enjoy convenient access to unmatched cultural, recreational, and entertainment opportunities. The Amon Carter Museum, the Kimbell Art Museum, the Fort Worth Zoo, the Texas Motor Speedway, and Texas Rangers baseball games are just a few of the attractions that draw visitors to the many family- friendly communities that make up Tarrant County. Fantastic local parks systems, award-winning golf courses, and scenic vistas make the county an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Tarrant County is served by 20 school districts, with several private schools available throughout the area. For those seeking higher education, there are many options within Tarrant County, including Texas Christian University, the University of Texas at Arlington, the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Dallas Baptist University, Tarrant County College District, Dallas Community College District, and Texas Wesleyan University.
Tarrant County has a median income of $58,711 and a median home value of $141,000.
ABOUT THE DISTRICT The Tarrant County 9-1-1 District was created in 1984 to provide 9-1-1 equipment and services to all police, fire, and EMS departments in Tarrant County, as well as Irving, Grand Prairie, and the DFW Airport. Today the District provides 9-1-1 service and equipment to a population base of over 2.5 million through 50 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs).
In the early days of 9-1-1 in Tarrant County, the District interacted with just two phone companies: Southwestern Bell (now AT&T) and GTE (now Frontier). Today, it supports calls from more than fifty landline companies, five wireless providers, several VoIP providers, and numerous private telephone systems. In 2020 the District’s PSAPs processed over 1.9 million 9-1-1 calls with over 83% of those from wireless callers. Through its partnership with the PSAPs, the District provides the most reliable 9-1-1 telecommunications system available.
2 TARRANT COUNTY 9-1-1 DISTRICT | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MISSION The Tarrant County 9-1-1 District will continuously provide reliable, accurate, responsive, and effective emergency communication networks and services to our member jurisdictions ensuring the protection of life and property for citizens in our community.
When Seconds Count VALUES The control of District operations is the responsibility of member jurisdictions and the board of managers.
The District will provide the most reliable, efficient, cost-effective, and proven state-of-the-art technologies available at the lowest service fee rate possible.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES Ensure availability of the 9-1-1 system to all persons and entities within the Tarrant County 9-1-1 District.
Provide continuous improvement of systems and services through research and implementation of industry “best practices.”
Enhance public education and awareness of available and future 9-1-1 services.
To provide leadership in the areas of legislation, regulation, and technology.
Advise, inform, and educate telecommunicators (and other public safety personnel) to ensure adherence to federal and state emergency communications laws and requirements.
MEMBER CITIES The Tarrant County 9-1-1 District is comprised of the following cities and entities:
Arlington Edgecliff Village Irving River Oaks Azle Euless Keller Saginaw Bedford Everman Kennedale Sansom Park Benbrook Forest Hill Lakeside Southlake Blue Mound Fort Worth Lake Worth Watauga Burleson Grand Prairie Mansfield Westlake Colleyville Grapevine North Richland Hills Westover Hills Crowley Haltom City Pantego Westworth Village Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Haslet Pelican Bay White Settlement Dalworthington Gardens Hurst Richland Hills Unincorporated Tarrant County 3 TARRANT COUNTY 9-1-1 DISTRICT | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The District provides an array of services including:
) Fiduciary accountability, budgetary services, and ) Contingency planning and continuation of budgetary planning, including reserves for capital operations development ) Regulatory oversight and assistance in the areas ) Public education, public information, and impacting 9-1-1 community outreach ) Contract Services related to various telephony ) Technical planning, implementation, funding, providers routing calls into the District’s network and oversight of all products and services related to 9-1-1 call delivery ) Quality assurance and problem resolution
) Development and maintenance of MSAG, ) Testing of wireless accuracy and new database, and GIS data technologies
) Oversight and development of existing and future ) Training of 9-1-1 call takers, supervisors, and network connectivity and facilities managers
) Long-range planning and systems migration ) Oversight of private switch services
) Standards development and industry leadership ) PSAP assistance, including funding of special projects approved by the Board of Managers
GOVERNANCE AND ORGANIZATION Tarrant County 9-1-1- District is a Special Purpose District as defined by the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 772.200. The District is governed by an eight-member Board of Managers, comprised of two members appointed by the City of Fort Worth, one member each appointed by the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, the City of Arlington, City of Grand Prairie, City of Irving, and the Tarrant County Mayor’s Council. One non- voting member represents the major service supplier, AT&T.
Tarrant County 9-1-1 District Executive Board
Executive Director
Director Interoperability Director Human Resources Support Services Coordinator Technical Services Administrator
The District has a budget of more than $15 million for FY2020/21 and has 27 employees. Major projects underway or recently completed include: ) $19 million 9-1-1 system replacement
) Construction of a new District Network Operations Center
) Planned major network upgrade
) Incorporating Z-axis information into GIS systems
4 TARRANT COUNTY 9-1-1 DISTRICT | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ABOUT THE POSITION The Executive Director serves as the CEO of the organization and plans, organizes, directs, and controls the performance and operations of the District. Leading a professional staff, the Executive Director ensures the provision of emergency call receiving and dispatching services to the agencies being served and is instrumental in the development and maintenance of 9-1-1 emergency communication services and the high-level policies and procedures necessary to sustain both the District and a highly skilled and motivated workforce. Direct Reports include the Director – Support Services, Interoperability Coordinator, Director – Technical Services, and the Human Resources Coordinator. The Human Resources Coordinator also has reporting responsibility to the Board of Managers.
In coordination with the Board of Managers, the Executive Director organizes board meetings, information sharing sessions, strategic planning efforts, and dissemination of information necessary for decision making. The Executive Director also acts as a strategic liaison to top-level administrative officials of the member jurisdictions to promote the relevancy of the 9-1-1 District to those utilizing the services to achieve expected public safety measures in the local jurisdictions. The Executive Director communicates regularly to keep the Board of Managers well-informed and administers an annual budget that delivers results through the efficient use of available resources, including effective annual projections of revenue and investment.
Key responsibilities of the Executive Director: ) Guides and directs the planning, operation, and integration of Tarrant County 9-1-1 services within the overall, legal, regulatory, and political operating environment
) Develops and implements policies and procedures as necessary to suit and coincide with Tarrant County 9-1-1 operations and philosophy
) Selects, trains, develops, and manages an organization of qualified professionals
) Interfaces with key customers, vendors, consultants, agencies, government officials, and community groups
) Ensures high-quality service and response to customers through the effective staffing and development of personnel
) Represents the District at national, state, and local levels. Serves as a liaison between the District and the governing and regulatory bodies at each level
) Manages the District following all policies, laws, and regulations
) Negotiates and manages contracts and agreements with vendors, governing bodies, and other 9-1-1 administrative organizations
) Supervises the development and implementation of public awareness and community education programs with citizen groups, news media, business leaders, school districts, and government liaison groups
) Serves as the liaison to the Board of Managers and participating jurisdictions’ governing bodies
) Ensures that legal obligations assigned to and associated with the District are met and monitors legal, financial, and legislative trends indicating attention or intervention to sustain the effectiveness and relevancy of the District
) Ensures that all financial reports and information are accurately prepared and presented to the Board of Managers and other appropriate governmental bodies promptly
) Provides the Board of Managers with sufficient, quality information that will enable it to make informed decisions when providing policy and direction for the Tarrant County 9-1-1 District
5 TARRANT COUNTY 9-1-1 DISTRICT | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The Board of Managers seeks a professional and energetic executive with demonstrated experience in a leadership role for a complex public sector organization much like the Tarrant County 9-1-1 District. The selected candidate must have a successful track record of self-motivation, and be someone who consistently strives to be the best, utilizing personal strength to complete a task, even when challenged, without giving up or needing encouragement.
The incoming Executive Director will be expected to provide solid leadership that demonstrates trust with the Board and inspires, motivates, and empowers staff to achieve established goals. The person selected for this position must be politically astute with a desire to work within a multi-agency organization of diverse stakeholder communities.
The successful candidate must be a highly organized and decisive leader with superb communications skills and judgment, as well as an inclusive and open management style. The incoming Executive Director should be driven and detail-orientated with a natural willingness to embrace a spirit and environment of delivering exceptional customer service.
A candidate who inspires, motivates, and guides others in accomplishing goals is strongly desired. The Executive Director will consistently develop and sustain cooperative working relationships; encourage and facilitate cooperation within the organization and with customer groups; foster commitment, team spirit, pride, and trust; and develop leadership in others through coaching, mentoring, rewarding, and guiding employees. The position requires an individual who can instill mutual trust and confidence and create a culture that fosters high standards of ethics and accountability.
The chosen candidate will be able to make clear and convincing presentations to individuals and groups, listen effectively, clarify information as needed, facilitate an open exchange of ideas, and foster an atmosphere of open communication.
The new Executive Director will be expected to consistently exercise good judgment by making sound and well- informed decisions and will perceive the impact and implications of those decisions even when data is limited or solutions produce challenging consequences.
Additional Attributes of an Ideal Candidate: ) At least an intermediate level of understanding of data and communication technologies and how they interrelate to provide effective 9-1-1 communication services
) Thorough knowledge and understanding of the national and state statutory and regulatory requirements that impact the operations of the District, including statutory relationships and responsibilities between the District and the governing bodies of participating municipalities and counties
) Able to identify and stay abreast of key national and international policies and economic, political, and social trends that affect the organization
) A keen understanding of short and long-range planning and how best to position the organization to achieve a competitive business advantage in a global economy
) Can formulate effective strategies consistent with the business and competitive strategy of the District by examining policy issues, determining objectives and priorities, and anticipating potential threats and opportunities
) Success with and a broad understanding of financial management, with the marketing expertise necessary to ensure appropriate funding levels, preparation, clear justification, and administration of the budget for the program area. In managing the District’s finances, the Executive Director will apply cost-benefit thinking to set priorities, monitor expenditures in support of programs and policies, and identify cost-effective approaches
) Ability to manage procurement and contracting, as well as secure adequate funding given closed funding sources, will be essential
6 TARRANT COUNTY 9-1-1 DISTRICT | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE IDEAL CANDIDATE CONTINUED
) Adept at balancing the interests of a variety of clients, readily readjusting priorities to respond to pressing and changing demands
) Achievement of quality end products through a commitment to continuous improvement of services, and ensure that effective controls are developed and maintained to uphold the integrity of the organization by holding self and others accountable
) Ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget by effectively monitoring and evaluating plans, focusing on desired and expected results, and accurately measuring the attainment of outcomes
) Proactive and achievement-oriented, the Executive Director will be expected to identify and take independent actions to prevent potential situations that could result in unpleasant confrontations and resolve conflicts and disagreements positively and constructively to minimize the negative impact on the operations of the District
) Consider and respond appropriately to the needs, feelings, and capabilities of diverse groups in a variety of situations in a tactful, compassionate, and sensitive manner and treat others with respect at all times. The chosen candidate will behave fairly and ethically toward others and demonstrate a sense of corporate responsibility and commitment to public service
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE This position requires a bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, urban affairs, computer science, or a closely related field and 5-10 years of management experience. A master’s degree and background in public safety, public administration, or business administration are preferred qualifications.
Successful work experience as a director or deputy director of a multi-jurisdictional public safety communications environment serving law enforcement and fire/emergency medical services with a combined population of 200,000 or greater is a plus.
The selected candidate should hold or be able to obtain an Emergency Number Professional (ENP) certification from the National Emergency Number Association, Certified Public Manager (CPM) certification or Certified Public Safety Executive certification from the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO), and Basic National Incident Management System (NIMS) training (ICS 100 and 200) from FEMA. Relevant public safety communications professional certifications and credentials will be considered in the overall evaluation of candidates.
Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
7 TARRANT COUNTY 9-1-1 DISTRICT | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS The salary range for this position is $160,000 - $185,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The District provides an excellent benefits program including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance as well as a retirement plan and paid time off.
APPLICATION PROCESS Please apply online at: http://bit.ly/SGROpenRecruitments
First review of applications: August 29, 2021
For more information on this position contact: Larry Boyd, Senior Vice President [email protected] 469-261-5113
The Tarrant County 9-1-1 District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. Applicants selected as finalists will be subject to a comprehensive background check.
RESOURCES Tarrant County 9-1-1- District tc911.org
Tarrant County 9-1-1- District Social Media
8 TARRANT COUNTY 9-1-1 DISTRICT | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR