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Job Description
THE OPPORTUNITY
The City of Tucson is seeking an innovative and experienced Director of Public Safety Communications to lead and shape the future of emergency communications in a rapidly evolving metropolitan area. This is a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact in a diverse, culturally rich community known for its stunning desert landscapes, world-class cuisine, and thriving arts scene. As Director, you will oversee cutting-edge technology and lead a dedicated team of professionals committed to keeping the area safe. If you’re ready to elevate your career and serve in a city that values progress, collaboration, and community, Tucson is calling.
ABOUT TUCSON
Tucson blends centuries of Hispanic, Native American, and Anglo heritage into a vibrant and authentic cultural landscape that is steeped in cultural history. With more than 4,500 years of inhabitation, Tucson’s ancestral inhabitants – the Tohono O’odham Nation and the Pasqua Yaqui Tribe – continue to have a presence and influence in Tucson. With its population over 40% Latino, Tucson’s culture is enriched through vibrant traditions, culinary excellence, family-centered values, and a deep sense of community that shapes the city’s identity and spirit.
As the 33rd largest city in the country, and the first U.S. city designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Tucson offers exceptional culinary experiences alongside a rich mix of art, music, and outdoor recreation—from hiking and cycling to world-class stargazing. With 330 days of sunshine annually and mountain ranges in every direction, Tucson is a year-round outdoor playground. The Loop, a 131-mile network of paved, shared-use paths, provides safe and scenic routes for walking, running, and biking across the city. Whether you’re drawn to the stunning desert surroundings, the inclusive and caring community, or the city’s forward-thinking approach to public service, Tucson offers an exceptional place to live, work, and lead.
THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
The Tucson Public Safety Communications Department (PSCD) is an independent and equal public safety partner to police, fire, and EMS. It became a consolidated emergency communications center in 2017, serving two law enforcement agencies and nine fire/EMS agencies. The PSCD takes pride in partnering with others in the Tucson region. The department is led by the Director of Public Safety Communications and supported by two deputy directors. Together, this leadership team oversees a total of 178 allocated staff positions and a current fiscal year budget of $28.6 million. The PSCD effectively leverages technology to deliver quality public safety service through cutting-edge platforms such as NextGen 911 (Vesta), Smart Transcription, and RapidSOS to smartly and efficiently serve communities and first responders in the Tucson region.
THE POSITION
Reporting to an Assistant City Manager, the Director of Public Safety Communications is responsible for directing the overall operation of the Public Safety Communications Department and ensures the effective and efficient operation of the 911 and 311 emergency dispatch center. Some essential job duties include overseeing the daily operations of the Public Safety Communications Department and the allocation of staff and resources; assuming primary responsibility for operational procedures and directive and communications operation implementation; formulating, implementing, and monitoring annual maintenance, operating, and capital budgets; presenting information to the public about 911 and 311 services; conducting presentations before various civic and business organizations; and networking with other public safety agencies.
The most successful candidates will have direct knowledge and experience with the various technologies used in Public Safety Answering Points and emergency dispatch operations; be a strong collaborator who can maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders; be a strong advocate for public safety emergency communications professionals; have a leadership style characterized by effective team building, honest communication, and a commitment to serving others; have a data-driven approach, along with the ability to present complicated technical data to audiences in a manner that is understandable and responsive; and bring a creative vision and willingness to try new things in the interest of advancing the department and profession.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The City of Tucson offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. The current salary range for this position is $173,472 and $260,208, with placement in the range based on the experience and education of the successful candidate. In addition, the City provides an excellent executive benefit plan including a generous defined benefit pension plan, with five-year vesting, the ability to transfer from other Arizona pension plans and the ability to purchase service credit. Full details are available here. The City also offers a voluntary 457(b) plan as an additional retirement investment vehicle. Relocation assistance may be available and is subject to negotiation with the selected candidate.
For a full list of benefits, click here.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
To be considered for this position, interested candidates must submit a cover letter and résumé no later than Thursday, August 14, 2025, at:
Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:
Bryan Noblett | bryan@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 550-4100
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Job Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of education and experience that would provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. The following is a typical way to qualify:
Education: A Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, emergency management, communications, public administration, or a closely related field.
Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible managerial, supervisory and administrative experience in a public safety environment is required. Experience in managing a unified call-taking center where telecommunicators handle the full range of public safety calls including law enforcement, fire/rescue, and emergency medical services is preferred.
Residency Requirement: Residency within the City of Tucson is required.
Additional Minimum Qualifications:
- A valid Arizona driver’s license
- Level A DPS Terminal Operators Certification
- Emergency Number Professional (ENP) certification or Registered Public Safety Leader (RPL) certification or be able to obtain one within 12 months of appointment.
- NCIC/GCIC certification or the ability to obtain one. Others could include ADJJC, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) certifications.
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ABOUT THE COMPANY
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Mosaic Public Partners
Show moreWe are seasoned public sector executives who have profound respect for the work of public agencies. We are passionate about placing today’s public leaders, which enables public agencies to deliver exemplary leadership to their constituents.
Placing today’s public leaders is our mission. Aligning the right candidates with the right opportunities helps our clients to build effective teams. We enjoy building relationships with the people involved in our searches, whether it's the candidates, hiring managers, team members or stakeholders. Establishing meaningful connections with those involved in our search process is the basis from which we derive our success as a trusted partner and client-focused search firm.
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