Bureau of Emergency Communications Director

Bureau of Emergency Communications Director

City of Portland

Job Posting
Dec. 16, 2025

Job Appointment: This position is exempt from Civil Service and is an "At Will" position. It serves at the discretion of the hiring authority subject to the City of Portland Human Resources Administrative Rules and Portland City Charter and Code.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm. Work hours will vary to meet business needs.

Work Location: This is a manager position. Beginning in April 2025, all City of Portland manager and supervisor positions will be expected to report to their worksites full time. In-person work will be conducted at 3732 SE 99th Avenue, Portland, OR 97266. Alternate schedules may be available, but the typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, with occasional after-hours work required to support critical projects or address system issues.

Remote workdays remain an option, to accommodate travel, or occasionally focus on major work projects. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington.

Benefits: Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefit for this position

Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to attach a cover letter and resume.

About the Position:

The City of Portland is seeking an experienced and innovative Director to lead the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC). BOEC serves as the central link between the community and emergency service providers by answering 9-1-1 and non-emergency public safety calls, triaging for proper response, and dispatching appropriate police, fire, medical, and alternate response. The bureau consists of more than 160 union and non-union employees across multiple divisions.

Reporting to the Deputy City Administrator for the Public Safety Service Area, the Director oversees all bureau operations and personnel, manages external relations with City officials, partner jurisdictions, and other agencies, and ensures effective 9-1-1 and non-emergency call‑taking and dispatch services for police, fire, and medical responders. The Director is responsible for using all available resources—staff, equipment, policies, and procedures—to fulfill BOEC’s mission.

This position carries broad administrative and programmatic authority, including developing policies and work rules, ensuring adequate training and resources, and supporting the functionality of diverse work groups. The Director ensures that managers, supervisors, and staff implement strategies that meet BOEC’s operational challenges and maintain high-quality service for all partner jurisdictions, including Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, Maywood Park, Sauvie Island, Corbett, and Multnomah County.

Additional information about BOEC’s organization and operations can be found at the bureau’s website.

The job offer for this position will be contingent on passing a background check and psychological examination.

Essential Functions of the BOEC Director include:

Employee Centered Leadership – Recognizes the value and importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce, ensuring that these principles are embedded into all aspects of the bureau’s operations. Fosters a healthy workplace culture through transparency in decision‑making, engaging in meaningful dialogue with staff, and implementing strategies that reduce burnout and support mental health.

Executive Leadership - Directs all aspects of the bureau’s operations, including policy development, program implementation, and staff management. Provides strategic oversight to managers and supervisors, ensuring the bureau fulfills its mission effectively while promoting high performance, accountability, and professional development among staff.

Community Engagement - Represents BOEC to the public, partner jurisdictions, and professional organizations. Builds and maintains relationships with community stakeholders, elected officials, and the media. Ensures the bureau’s services meet the needs of Portland and regional partners, and advocates for public safety priorities.

Collaboration - Works closely with internal teams, partner agencies, and…