The Opportunity

Under limited supervision, this position provides leadership for the Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN) Operator and is responsible for developing and overseeing programs and systems to support and promote high performance strategies to meet organizational needs, vision and values. It reports to the PSERN Operator’s Board of Directors.

The responsibilities of the PSERN Operator Executive Director include providing leadership and strategic direction for determining priorities, goals and objectives to meet the needs of the PSERN Operator. Functions include providing strategic regional leadership for the PSERN’s mission critical radio system infrastructure, consultation services to internal and external regional entities to align radio initiatives with business needs and strategic plans, drafting strategic plan initiatives related to radio, overseeing radio communications services, which include the development of  long and short term plans for the maintenance, operation and repair of the PSERN regional public safety radio systems, radio network infrastructure, microwave network and other conventional radio systems for the PSERN Operator and its regional partners.

The Workgroup

This infrastructure covers all 2,200 square miles within King County as well as additional sites outside of the County. Some of these sites are in remote locations, with limited access based on weather conditions. These remote sites and the vast range of sites create an environment that requires significant and uniquely specialized planning and management skills. Unlike other communication infrastructures that have shared responsibilities or where the majority of the sites are within a commercial building, these PSERN sites sit on top of mountains, towers and inside buildings.

Customers who rely on this infrastructure, in some cases for life critical measures, are police and fire departments, EMS agencies (Medic One), hospitals, water and sewer districts, school districts, city and county governments, federal agencies, and tribal agencies.

PSERN Operator

The Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN) Project is a voter-approved tax funded effort to replace the current King County Emergency Radio Communications System (KCERCS). PSERN will primarily serve fire fighters, law enforcement, 911 Centers and other emergency response efforts throughout the King County area. King County is leading the new emergency radio system development and when complete, a new, nonprofit entity, the PSERN Operator (Operator), will own and operate the system.

Because the Operator is in the formation stages, King County is providing employment temporarily until such time as employees can transition over to employment with the Operator. The Executive Director is the first of these positions and is a permanent position expected to transition employment with the County to employment with the Operator, most likely in 2023 or early 2024.

After the PSERN goes live in 2023, King County will transition all responsibility to the Operator, which will then own, operate, manage, upgrade, update, and repair the radio infrastructure. After the Operator’s formation and the system’s transition to the Operator’s management, all contracts, assets, and liabilities amassed on behalf of the region will be assigned to the PSERN Operator. The Operator’s Board of Directors are already named, the entity is incorporated with the State of Washington, and has begun meeting on a monthly basis. The Board of Directors will be responsible for reviewing application materials and performing interviews, as well as ultimately selecting the successful candidate.  

Critical to success in all areas is a commitment to successful implementation and continuous process improvement. Ongoing efforts to oversee the formation of the PSERN Operator, streamline and improve project execution and oversight, as well as operational support will ensure the Operator’s success. Even more important to the formation and foundation of the PSERN Operator is a priority and reliance on our workforce. Our staff is our most valuable asset, and we need to empower them by providing appropriate tools, management interaction including clear expectations and direct feedback, and appropriate training on technologies, processes, and soft skills.

By matching our strategies with our core values and driving principles of being a service focused organization, being committed to our customers and citizens, investing in and empowering our staff, and seeking to continually improve our processes, we solidify our commitment of becoming a world class public safety radio network and service provider.

• The Executive Director shall report to the Board of Directors and shall regularly advise the Board on matters related to the operation and functions of the PSERN System and the PSERN Operator, including proposed budgets, financial and liability issues, and all other appropriate matters related to the PSERN System and the PSERN Operator.
• Direct the day-to-day management of the professional staff directly and through subordinate supervisors, develop performance measures and conduct performance evaluations, make and/or authorize hiring decisions and authorize and implement disciplinary actions.
• Develop, administer and revise policies and procedures relating to assigned enterprise system(s); develop and implement processes, documentation and training for customers using system(s); ensure compliance with the PSERN Operator’s technology policies and standards.
• Manage the PSERN Operator’s day-to-day activities consistent with applicable policies, procedures, and standards.
• Propose and administer regular budgets including a contingency.
• Consistent with applicable budget and procurement policies adopted by the Board, approve expenditures and sign contracts in amounts as established by the Board of Directors without additional approval of the Board of Directors.
• Track and report on the performance of PSERN systems and services.
• Provide support to the Board of Directors.
• Recommend policies, procedures, and standards, and changes thereto, including without limitation policies governing the procurement of goods, services, public works and improvements, staffing and emergency responses.
• Provide written monthly reports to the Board of Directors describing the PSERN Operator’s budget status, PSERN System performance against targets, partial or full PSERN System outages, purchases equal to or greater than $10,000, and usage statistics.
• Maintain and manage records in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
• Work with internal and external customers to identify technology needs, including the identification of strategies, potential solutions, and resource requirements; determine or make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the best method to assist customers in meeting their business needs.
• Prepare an annual report for the PSERN Operator as required by RCW 23.95.255.
• Lead the PSERN Operator’s enterprise operations including maintenance and operational responsibility for the 800 MHz Radio Communication System and customer management functions for all service delivery options provided by PSERN.
• Lead the strategic regional planning for PSERN’s mission critical emergency radio system infrastructure.
• Represent the PSERN Operator on various regulatory, governing, or planning venue activities and/or agencies.
• Develop and implement plan(s) for systems maintenance, upgrades and conversions for assigned enterprise-wide system(s); direct the development and oversee the implementation of long and short-range plans for assigned system(s).
• Support the Board of Directors with the development of capital project business case proposals, budgetary revenue/expense planning, and expense recovery rate planning.
• During emergency events the Executive Director shall be available and manage the organization as necessary during the emergency and shall have the authority to take emergency actions consistent with the policy of the Board of Directors and applicable laws.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

1. 800 MHz APCO Project 25, TIA-102 Phase I FDMA and Phase II TDMA functionality.
2. Digital Microwave backbone transport systems.
3. Conventional VHF/UHF Repeater networks.
4. Facilities that house the above equipment.

• Demonstrated experience managing staff that perform radio subscriber unit template writing and programming, talk group management, maintenance and repair on multiple platforms from multiple manufactures, but at a minimum includes APCO Project 25, TIA-102 Phase I FDMA, and Phase II TDMA capable devices, or equivalent experience managing highly technical staff.
• Demonstrated experience managing staff that perform radio consulting services, or equivalent experience managing consultation services.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working with and developing budgets, setting service rate fees, analyzing expenditures and revenues, and all aspects of financial support within an enterprise fund operation.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience developing capital project business case proposals and cost benefit analysis spreadsheets.
• Skilled in organizing priorities, making decisions and acting on concepts within timelines.
• Training in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS).
• Demonstrated experience in vendor procurement activities such as requirements development, RFP/RFI/RFQ processes, vendor selection, negotiating contracts, and managing vendors once under contract.
• Skill in building consensus and coming to a resolution among a diverse group of individuals.
• Demonstrated experience managing or supervising general clerical and financial support staff.
• 5 years of experience managing or supervising represented staff.
• Knowledge of human resource principles and practices.
• Demonstrated skill in working with complex, highly visible and politically sensitive projects.
• Knowledge of next generation voice radio systems and commercial wireless broadband technologies such as 5G and LTE.
• Demonstrated experience in working with elected officials, the general public and external agencies involved in decisions that affect the enterprise-wide systems.
• 5 years of experience managing customer service delivery for both internal and external customer, has a demonstrated ability to act with customer needs in mind, maintains effective customer relationships and gains their trust and respect.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills and possess the ability to convey difficult technical concepts to audiences with varying technical backgrounds from engineers and technicians to elected officials.

Benefits

King County offers a robust benefits package to support you and your family in a variety of ways. To learn more about the benefits offered here, please click on the Benefits tab or click here: http://www.kingcounty.gov/employees/

Supplemental Information

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Application Requirements

A completed King County Application is required, a resume and cover letter are strongly encouraged.

Necessary Special Qualifications

The candidate selected for this position will be required to pass a background investigation to include fingerprinting.

Physical Requirements

The work environment is indoors in a general office environment with minimal  exposure to health and safety hazards.