Job Description

Posting number: COMM_ADC_ #0152_2026

Department: Washington State Patrol

Division: Communications Division

Job classification: WMS BAND 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Law Enforcement, Dispatch, 911 Telecommunications

The WSP actively supports

About the Agency & Division:
The Washington State Patrol is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to foster an environment in which everyone is encouraged to be their authentic selves, communicate openly, and act with courage. The WSP is dedicated to promoting fair and equitable hiring, training, and promotional practices through innovative recruitment and retention strategies.

The Communications Division provides around-the-clock professional emergency support to WSP, state, local, and tribal agencies. Their main responsibilities are to answer 911 calls and initiate emergency services to meet the needs of the public and officers in the field.

Examples of duties

This WMS position reports to the Division Commander. The Communications Division consists of a headquarters with the Division Commander, Assistant Division Commander, Administrative Assistant 4, Forms & Records Analyst Supervisor, two Forms & Records Analyst 3s, and a Training Team comprised of a Communications Officer (CO2), a Communications Officer 3 (CO3) and a Communications Officer 4 (CO4); and seven 911 dispatch centers statewide located at their respective district headquarters. Overall, the Communications Division consists of 162 civil service positions.

As a part of the Washington State Patrol's (WSP) Communications Division's senior management team, this position plans, coordinates, and monitors the activities of all WSP's 911 emergency communications centers responsible for delivering emergency communications services including Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), responding to 911 calls, radio dispatch, etc. for the entire WSP field force and multiple state and federal agencies.

This position assists the Division Commander in the overall management and leadership of staff, budget oversight of a biennial $36M operational budget and one separate 911 budget ($321K annually), oversight of the recruiting, testing, and hiring process, acts as a subject matter expert in representation of the Division, and acts as a business lead for multiple semi-technical/technical projects related to equipment upgrades and radio changes. This position participates and provides expertise and oversight of the training program ensuring it meets all CALEA, APCO and Washington State minimum training standards for public safety telecommunicators. The position manages Communications standards for the CALEA Law Enforcement accreditation, and the entirety of the CALEA Public Safety Communications accreditation process, as well as supporting the Training Program CO4 with the the APCO Project 33 Training Program Re-Certification.

Our new supervisor will be able to:

• Assists in the planning, leading, organizing and control of the work performed by the division.
• Supports effective communications throughout the agency.
• Provides supervision, leadership and mentorship.
• Provides direct, 1:1 mentoring for newly promoted CO4s both in-person and virtually, during the first 3 months of the new CO4's trial service period.
• Modify and develop procedures and policies.
• Assists with the development and submission of budget documents including funding requests, resource justification, and spending plans/allotments for the program.
• Oversight of the division's training program.
• Answers questions and discusses section programs and policies with WSP Executive Staff, the State E911 Office, legislators and their staff, other criminal justice agencies, and the public as needed.
• Acts as the business lead.
• Assists in completion of the Division Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), manages the CALEA and APCO certifications processes for Communications, and assists with the annual report, risk reports, operational plan, fiscal notes and legislative analysis.
• Supports the Communications Centers with interviewing, testing, attending meetings, counseling staff as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Five years' experience in 911 Communications, answering calls from business and 911 lines, and dispatch of law enforcement and other disciplines.
• Three years' experience in management of personnel and/or programs; Ability to model leadership and performance characteristics that promote professionalism, integrity, accountability, and public service

Why work for the Washington State Patrol?

• Continuous growth and development opportunities.
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.
• Employment opportunities that recognize military veterans and/or military spouse per Governor Executive Order 19-01.
• Qualification for the Public Loan Forgiveness Program

Supplemental information