Watch Desk Specialist

Job Posting End Date:

October 13, 2026

Department:

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AND CITIZEN SERVICES Compensation Grade:

Compensation Range & Starting Salary:

Pay Range: $57,304.00 $ 89,315.20

Minimum of the Pay Range Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime):

No

Scheduled Weekly

Hours:

40

About Us:

Recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024, the City of Virginia Beach is proud to offer a diverse and dynamic work environment. Our workforce plays a crucial role in delivering exceptional government services to both our citizens and fellow City employees. Apply now to join an organization where you truly make a difference.

Job Duties and

Preferred Qualifications:

BE WHERE INFORMATION BECOMES ACTIONDo you thrive in an environment where information moves quickly, details matter, and no two shifts are exactly the same?

The City of Virginia Beach Emergency Communications and Citizen Services Department is seeking a Watch Desk Specialist to help maintain real-time situational awareness of incidents that may impact the City of Virginia Beach.

The Watch Desk operates at the intersection of public safety, emergency communications, emergency management, technology, and information coordination. Specialists use advanced technologies, public safety systems, and multiple information sources to identify, evaluate, and communicate information about developing incidents, potential threats, and significant events.

This role is ideal for someone who can quickly make sense of changing information, recognize what matters, exercise sound judgment under pressure, and communicate clearly.

WHAT YOU'LL DOAs a Watch Desk Specialist, you will:

Monitor multiple Police, Fire, and EMS radio channels simultaneously to identify significant incidents and provide timely notifications to City and public safety stakeholders.

Collect, evaluate, and prioritize information from multiple sources to determine its validity, urgency, significance, and potential impact.

Receive and transmit information through systems such as Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Police Mutual Aid Radio Systems, the National Warning System (NAWAS), and other local, state, and federal communications systems.

Analyze developing incidents and assist Emergency Management and ECCS with coordination and resource deployment.

Support planned and no-notice Emergency Operations Center activations.

Use camera systems and other technology to assist with locating incidents, suspects, missing or endangered persons, and other public safety events.

Serve as a subject matter resource for the City's emergency alerting systems and coordinate with Police, Fire, EMS, Emergency Management, and other partners during emergency response.

Prepare written notifications, reports, and memorandums; participate in training and regional exercises; and contribute to programs and projects that advance the Watch Desk mission.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR Successful Watch Desk Specialists remain focused while information changes rapidly and multiple events compete for attention.

Strong candidates will demonstrate:

Excellent situational awareness and attention to detail.

Sound judgment and confidence making decisions in time-critical situations.

The ability to prioritize competing information and responsibilities.

Clear and concise written and verbal communication.

Comfort working with technology and learning new systems.

Knowledge of public safety operations and terminology.

The ability to collaborate across agencies, disciplines, and City partners.

Initiative, adaptability, and an interest in helping the Watch Desk continue to grow.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Applicants must:

Be at least 18 years of age.

Possess a high school diploma or GED plus any combination of related education and/or experience equivalent to six years in a public safety-related  a United States citizen or have been a lawful resident of the United States for the past 10 consecutive years.

Obtain and maintain required certifications, including VCIN.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Preference may be given to candidates with:

Knowledge of emergency management and public safety technologies supporting Watch Desk operations, including NAWAS, Microsoft Teams, VBAlert, and/or IPAWS.Knowledge of law enforcement and Fire/EMS terminology and radio communications, techniques, and procedures.

Experience working in public safety, making critical decisions, and exercising sound judgment.

National Incident Management System (NIMS) certifications, including IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and…