911 Assistant Manager

The 911 Assistant Manager at the City of Fort Worth is responsible for overseeing Emergency Communications Supervisors and ensuring operational efficiency within the Emergency Communications Center (ECC). This includes directing operations, conducting internal investigations, making disciplinary recommendations, and engaging staff in ongoing training to ensure they follow policies and procedures.

To qualify for the Assistant Manager role in Fort Worth's Police Department, candidates need a bachelor's degree in communications, public administration, or a related field, along with five years of emergency communications experience and two years of supervisory responsibility. Additionally, a current Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Advanced Certification is required at the time of the job offer.

The 911 Assistant Manager position in Fort Worth requires flexibility as it is located in a 24/7 facility. This means working hours may include shifts during nights, weekends, and holidays, with specific schedules assigned based on the needs of the department and the ECC.

Employees in the Assistant Manager role with the City of Fort Worth can enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including 11 paid holidays, health and dental insurance, generous paid time off, a pension plan, and opportunities for professional growth and development.

Advancing your career as a 911 Assistant Manager in Fort Worth involves maintaining an excellent performance record, seeking out training opportunities, engaging in continuous improvement initiatives, and possibly obtaining further certifications relevant to emergency communication and public safety management.

The hiring process for the Assistant Manager position involves submitting an application, passing a background check, drug screening, psychological examination, and a polygraph test. It’s important to maintain eligibility by adhering to all requirements set forth by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

Essential skills for succeeding as a 911 Assistant Manager in Fort Worth include strong leadership abilities, effective communication, critical thinking, knowledge of emergency communication systems, and an understanding of dispatching principles. Additionally, being adaptable and calm under pressure is crucial.

When answering this question, focus on detailing your previous roles in emergency communications, emphasizing the responsibilities you undertook, the teams you managed, and specific examples where your contributions improved operations or response times.

Discuss how you employ active listening to understand all parties involved, mediating discussions to clarify perspectives, and encouraging collaboration to reach a resolution. Illustrating a successful conflict resolution from past experiences can be particularly impactful.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to present a clear example where you had to weigh options carefully. Emphasize your thought process, the data you analyzed, and how the decision ultimately benefited the team or organization.

Provide examples of strategies like regular training sessions, transparent feedback mechanisms, and incorporating technology for real-time updates which can enhance team communication. Highlighting any past initiatives you've led can substantiate your ideas.

Explain your method for assessing urgency and importance, possibly using tools or frameworks you've found effective. Mention how you communicate priorities to your team to maintain organizational focus and efficiency.

Discuss current challenges such as rapidly changing technology, public expectation for immediate response, and the need for cross-agency collaboration. Mention how appropriate training and resource management can mitigate these issues.

Outline your approach to addressing underperformance through constructive feedback and direct communication. Explain how you would set goals for improvement, offer additional resources, and monitor progress to ensure accountability.

Share your personal reasons for being drawn to emergency management, such as a desire to help others in critical situations, being part of a service-oriented profession, or tackling challenges head-on. Relating real-life experiences could add depth to your response.

Emphasize your awareness of technological advancements in emergency communications, discussing how you’ve utilized these tools in past roles to improve response times, data collection, or team coordination.

Articulate how you create an inclusive work culture that celebrates successes, offers opportunities for growth, and ensures open communication. Examples of team-building activities or recognition programs you've implemented would strongly support your answer.