Job Description

Arlington County Government Department of Public Safety Communications & Emergency Management is seeking an experienced and collaborative leader to manage the Situational Awareness and Intelligence Unit (SAIU), a program responsible for real-time intelligence coordination, situational awareness, and alert and warning support for public safety and County operations. The SAIU Manager oversees personnel, technology, operational processes, and interagency coordination to ensure the delivery of timely, actionable information that supports responder safety, operational decision-making, and County-wide preparedness.
This position leads a team supporting active incidents, emerging threats, significant events, and operational disruptions through the integration of information from multiple public safety systems and intelligence sources. The SAIU Manager serves as a key liaison among Police, Fire/EMS, Emergency Communications, Emergency Management, County leadership, and external partners, while maintaining operational readiness, supporting emergency operations, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and information-sharing requirements.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

• Lead and supervise a 24/7 Situational Awareness and Intelligence Unit, including scheduling, assigning work, providing operational direction, evaluating performance, and ensuring continuous staffing and readiness;
• Direct real-time monitoring and intelligence support for active incidents, criminal activity, hazards, and emerging threats using authorized public safety technologies and information sources;
• Oversee the analysis and dissemination of actionable intelligence, situation reports, briefings, and operational updates that support responder safety, incident management, and executive decision-making;
• Manage County-wide situational awareness and alert and warning activities, including governance and operational use of the Everbridge platform, coordination with Emergency Management and Public Information staff, and support for Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations;
• Lead inter-agency information sharing and coordination among Police, Fire/EMS, Emergency Communications, Emergency Management, County departments, and external partners during incidents, emergencies, and special events; and
• Establish operational procedures, quality assurance measures, training programs, and compliance standards to ensure intelligence activities, records management, and information sharing are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and best practices.

The ideal candidate possesses the following:

• A driven leader who thrives in dynamic environments, harnessing curiosity, and innovation to navigate the complexities of public safety, emergency management and homeland security;
• Proven experience with team leadership, program and personnel management, situational awareness technologies and/or other technology related to research, analysis, or communications;
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; and
• An analytical, innovative approach to solving problems.

Qualifications

Minimums:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Emergency Management, Homeland Security or related field; and
• Considerable experience in program administration and/or management which includes experience with emergency management planning, intelligence operations, open-source monitoring, emergency alerting, partner coordination and emergency response.

Substitution: Additional qualifying experience can be substituted for the educational requirement. A Master's degree or higher may be substituted for some of the experience requirement.

Required Certifications:

• Emergency Management Institute (FEMA) Incident Command Systems (ICS) 100, 200, 700 and 800 (or current versions). ICS 300 and 400 within six months of hire.

Desirables:

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Intelligence Studies, or Public Safety;
• Supporting real-time incident response, situational awareness operations, intelligence analysis, law enforcement or fire service operations;
• Utilizing public safety technologies such as CAD systems, RMS/LERMS platforms, GIS tools, CCTV systems, license plate recognition systems, Everbridge, or similar situational awareness and intelligence platforms;
• Application of intelligence analysis principles, emergency management practices, information sharing protocols, and applicable CJIS, NCIC, and information security requirements; and/or
• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information, produce actionable intelligence products, and perform effectively in a fast-paced, 24/7 operational environment.

Working conditions:

• The worker must be available to work after hours and in emergency situations.
• Work is performed as part of a 24/7 operation and the worker must be available to work shifts as necessary.
• Work is performed primarily indoors; however, some outdoor exposure in various and sometimes unpredictable weather conditions may be expected during times of emergency and/or incidents.
• Work could be expected to be performed during times of high levels of stress during emergencies and/or incidents.

Special Requirements:

Please note: A complete application will include an attached resume which highlights how your background and experience align with the qualifications of this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Ability to obtain and maintain CJIS and NCIC access.
• Successful completion of required background investigations and polygraph.
• Completion of FEMA ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800 courses within a designated timeframe if not previously completed.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required operational system certifications.
• Availability to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and emergency activations.
• A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.
• Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence or the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite. The applicants must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide a copy of the applicant's official state/district driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.

Additional Information:

• Work hours: This is a fully in-office position supporting a 24/7 public safety operation. Standard work hours are generally Monday through Friday during traditional business hours; however, flexibility is required to adjust schedules and work extended hours during emergency activations, significant incidents, special events, or other peak operational periods. Work is performed in an operations center environment and may include monitoring multiple information systems, analyzing real-time information, and supporting emergency operations under time-sensitive conditions. Occasional evening, weekend, holiday, and on-call work may be required.
• The selection process will include in-person interviews.
• Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are considered part of the selection process and are required for this position. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• In accordance with § 19.2-392.15, applicants are not required to provide information regarding sealed arrests, charges, or convictions in response to any questions or inquiries during the hiring process.

The official job title is Watch Desk Supervisor.

For more information on Arlington's generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.

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