County now looking for new 911 director
By Steve Herring
Published in News on June 25, 2010 1:46 PM
Wayne County officials are looking for a new 911 emergency communications director.
Randy Weiss, a retired Air Force master sergeant who held the job for less than six months, resigned earlier this month. He replaced Delbert Edwards, who resigned in November.
County Manager Lee Smith said with an experienced team in place at the communications office, he is in no rush to find a replacement. He said Emergency Services Director Joe Gurley has "done a good job" ensuring employees in the department are cross-trained.
The county is in the midst of changing to a new emergency radio system, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year. A change in responsibilities could be in store for the next director, he said.
"We have not decided what the job will be," Smith said. "We will look at the workload, job demands and the budget. It is not just about the person, it is about the position."
The job's salary, with benefits, is about $50,000 annually, so a 30-year term of employment would amount to a $1.5 million expense, Smith said.
"I tell all of my department managers that I do not take a $1.5 million decision lightly," he said. "We will look at it again. I don't think we will jump out too quickly. (The job) may be rearranged somewhat. We will see some version, but I am not sure how it will be changed."
When the county posted a listing for the job after Edwards resigned, the director was responsible for implementation, operation and maintenance of any computer-aided dispatch programs used in the communications center. Other duties included maintaining state-mandated files for the Division of Criminal Information for each telecommunicator and serving as terminal agency coordinator for the center; and maintaining and ensuring all certifications are current and acceptable through the Sheriff's Standards Division.
The director also supervises the general work performed by the 911 telecommunicators as it relates to shift scheduling, time off and training as well as performing the duties to cover scheduled time off and/or emergency situations, through and with the shift supervisors. Other supervision duties include in-house training for new telecommunicators as well as continuing education for current employees.
The county received more than 24 applications for the job that eventually went to Weiss.
Smith would not comment on Weiss' resignation, citing state law regarding personnel.