Situational Awareness and Intelligence Unit Manager

Watch Desk Supervisor

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:

• 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.

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…