Deputy Director of Support Services

SOUTHLAND COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

Hazel Crest, Illinois

Deputy Director of Support Services

Posted Date: October 28, 2025

Application Closing: Until Filled – Early submissions strongly encouraged. Selected candidates will be contacted for oral panel interviews.

Salary Range

$107,533 – $139,793 annually (DOQ)

About Us

Southland Communications Center is a newly consolidated regional 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) formed through the merger of E-COM Dispatch Center and SouthCom Combined Dispatch Center. This unification strengthens the delivery of emergency communications by enhancing interoperability, technology integration, and operational efficiency across the Southland Cook County region of Illinois. The Center provides 9-1-1 and public safety dispatch services for the communities of Country Club Hills, East Hazel Crest, Flossmoor, Glenwood, Hazel Crest, Homewood, South Holland, Thornton, Markham, Matteson, Park Forest and Richton Park, supporting their respective emergency medical services, fire and police agencies.

The Center will operate from a new, purpose built mission-critical facility designed to support advanced technology, improved resiliency, and future regional growth. Southland Communications Center serves multiple law enforcement and fire protection agencies with highly trained Telecommunicators, modern emergency communications systems, and a strong commitment to professionalism, reliability, and continuous improvement.

Our consolidation reflects a shared vision among our member agencies to deliver the highest standard of public safety communications that protects life, property, and responders while ensuring sustainability for the future.

Position Overview

The Deputy Director of Support Services is a senior administrative leadership position responsible for the technical resiliency, cybersecurity posture, records compliance, and operational continuity of the Center's mission-critical systems. This includes oversight of CAD, radio, 9-1-1 telephony, network infrastructure, logging, cybersecurity tools, and vendor services.

This role directly supervises the Technology & Systems Coordinator and contracted vendors, serves as the FOIA Officer, collaborates closely with the Deputy Director of Operations, and may assume their duties when assigned.

This position requires off-hours availability to respond rapidly to system outages or failures.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead administration and support of mission-critical technologies and public safety systems
• Manage technology projects, vendor coordination, and lifecycle planning
• Oversee compliance for FOIA, CJIS, OMA, licensing, and cybersecurity standards
• Prepare non-personnel budget for technology and support services
• Administer and support agencywide wellness initiatives
• Respond to mission-critical outages, failures, and emergencies as needed

(This is not an all-inclusive list of duties. Additional responsibilities may be assigned.)

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in public safety communications
• 3+ years in a supervisory or leadership position within a PSAP
• Strong technical systems knowledge (CAD, radio, networks, cybersecurity)
• Valid T-CPR and LEADS Full Access certifications
• Excellent communication and vendor management skills

· Ability to work nights, weekends, or emergency call-ins as required

Preferred Qualifications

• Technology, cybersecurity, radio infrastructure, or project leadership certifications
• Complex multi-agency systems experience
• FOIA/Records compliance experience

(Certification timelines and requirements per job description apply)

Benefits

• IMRF Pension System participation
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Ongoing professional development and certification support

How to Apply

Submit a resume and cover letter to:

Subject Line: Deputy Director of Support Services – [Your Name]

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Qualified candidates may be invited to an oral panel interview as soon as possible.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $107, $139,793.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person