General Description
This is a highly responsible executive-level managerial and administrative position responsible for providing strategic leadership, oversight, coordination, and executive direction to the City’s Police and Fire Departments.
The Public Safety Director ensures alignment of public safety operations with the City’s mission, strategic priorities, and fiscal policies. This position provides direct supervision and performance oversight of the Police Chief and Fire Chief and serves as the senior advisor to the City Administrator and elected officials on matters related to public safety, emergency management, risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and interagency coordination.
This position does not replace the operational authority of the Police Chief or Fire Chief but provides executive oversight, policy direction, accountability, and strategic integration of public safety services across the City.
Duties and Responsibilities
The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.
- Provides direct supervision, leadership, and performance evaluation of the Police Chief and Fire Chief.
- Establishes strategic goals and performance metrics for the Police and Fire Departments aligned with City priorities.
- Oversees development, review, and implementation of public safety policies, procedures, and operational standards.
- Coordinates long-range planning initiatives including staffing models, equipment procurement, capital improvements, and technology modernization.
- Reviews and approves departmental budgets prior to submission to the City Administrator; monitors expenditures and fiscal accountability.
- Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Oversees citywide emergency preparedness, disaster response coordination, and interagency emergency management planning.
- Facilitates unified command coordination during large-scale incidents and critical events in collaboration with department leadership.
- Advises the City Administrator and Mayor on public safety risks, liability exposure, operational readiness, and strategic resource allocation.
- Oversees internal investigations, high-level disciplinary matters, and policy compliance reviews involving executive public safety leadership.
- Represents the City in regional public safety partnerships, intergovernmental agencies, and mutual aid agreements.
- Promotes transparency, community trust, and professional standards within public safety services.
- Collaborates with the Communications Director on crisis messaging during emergency or high-profile incidents.
- Attends City Council meetings and presents reports regarding public safety operations, initiatives, and performance outcomes.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Comprehensive knowledge of law enforcement and fire service administration principles.
- Knowledge of emergency management systems, incident command structures, and public safety accreditation standards.
- Knowledge of governmental budgeting, fiscal controls, and strategic planning processes.
- Knowledge of state and federal public safety regulations and liability frameworks.
- Ability to lead executive-level public safety professionals and maintain effective command structure.
- Ability to evaluate operational performance data and implement evidence-based improvements.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment in high-risk and politically sensitive situations.
- Ability to communicate effectively with elected officials, department heads, employees, and the public.
- Ability to manage large-scale emergency response coordination.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community leaders and regional public safety agencies.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Emergency Management, Fire Science, or related field; Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in law enforcement, fire service, emergency management, or public safety administration, including executive-level leadership experience. Acceptable criminal history and valid Georgia driver’s license required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
ADA Compliance
Physical Ability: This position’s physical requirements involve primarily sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally. The role may require standing, walking, attending field operations, and observing emergency scenes.
Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require close visual acuity to review reports, operational data, budgets, and strategic plans. The position requires the ability to hear and communicate clearly in person, by telephone, and during emergency response situations. The ability to interpret visual and audio information during incident briefings and emergency operations is required.
Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed in a generally quiet office setting. The position may require attendance at emergency scenes, disaster response locations, and public events involving exposure to outdoor weather conditions, loud noise levels, hazardous environments, and high-stress situations. Extended hours, evenings, weekends, and emergency call-back may be required.
I certify that the specific duties and responsibilities as described in this classification description accurately reflect the duties and responsibilities of the job.
