Position Information

About the Position:

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Public Safety Director is responsible for the Cobb County Department of Public Safety whose duty is to provide Law Enforcement Services, Fire & Emergency Services, Enhanced 911 Services, Animal Services, Emergency Management Services, and Safety Education Programs in a professional, efficient, and cost-effective manner to both citizens and visitors of Cobb County. Ingrained in that philosophy of services is a commitment to teamwork and excellence combined with a responsive, problem-solving philosophy that fosters daily interaction with the citizens we serve in a compassionate, positive manner that encourages public involvement and leads to public confidence in the County’s Public Safety Departments.

Why Cobb County Public Safety?

• Three Accredited Departments within the Public Safety Agency: Cobb County Police, Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services & E911 Communications.
• We are the home of:
  • The 2021 World Champion Atlanta Braves
  • One of the largest amusement parks in the country, Six Flags Over Georgia
  • Second largest University system in Georgia, Kennesaw State University
  • Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
  • Dobbins Air Reserve Base
  • Cobb County Public Schools, one of the best school systems in the state of Georgia
  • Close partnership with Cobb County Sheriff's Office to keep crime low in the community
  • Several Fortune 500 companies

About the Public Safety team:
The Cobb County Department of Public Safety consists of over 1800 team members that serve the 3rd largest county in the state, comprised of 760,000+ residents, thousands of businesses and millions of visitors each year.

The mission of Public Safety is to provide a safe and secure community through highly trained compassionate personnel, state of the art equipment & systems, and public safety educational services and programs.

Public Safety works to:

• provide effective & efficient police services (Police);
• provide superior fire, rescue and emergency services (Fire);
• provide an effective channel of communication between the public and public safety providers (911);
• protect people from animals & animals from people and provide housing & care for homeless animals (Animal Services);
• coordinate all activities necessary to protect Cobb from natural, technological and manmade disasters & emergencies that threaten the County (Emergency Management);
• provide the highest quality safety education & training (Safety Village).

Whether citizens decide to attend a baseball game hosted by the World Series Champion Atlanta Braves, dine in one of numerous restaurants in Cobb or bike along the hundreds of miles of trails throughout the county, the Public Safety team strives to ensure it is a safe experience for all.

Essential Functions

Leads the Agency in accomplishing the vision set forth by the County. Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, direct work expectations, counsels and disciplines personnel, and completes employee performance appraisals.

Coordinates work activities of assigned agencies and departments; prioritizes work activities in order to meet objectives; ensures subordinates have the proper resources needed to complete the assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects program initiatives and completed projects; consults with assigned staff to assist with complex and problem situations and provides technical expertise; and provides progress and activity reports to County management and elected officials as requested.

Consults and communicates with County Manager, Board of Commissioners, Senior Management, County employees, outside agencies and other individuals to review operations and activities, reviews and resolves problems, receives and shares advice and direction; and provides recommendations; attends meetings and provides information, reports, documentation, etc. as requested; Seeks to work collaboratively with local, state, and regional partners, including but not limited to the Cobb County Sheriff's Office, civic organizations and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Develops and implements long- and short-term plans, goals, and objectives for assigned agencies: researches, assesses and develops strategies to meet current and future community needs in area of assignment.

Develops, implements, and updates policies and procedures for assigned agencies: formulates and develops work methods and practices, policies, standard operating procedures, and training programs; monitors implementation of rules and regulations; and updates policies and procedures according to federal, state, or local legislation as required.

In partnership with the Board, business, civic/community leaders and the public safety departments, seek meaningful and measurable goals and strategies to build, strengthen, nurture in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Develops and implements budget for various areas within the Agency, including operating, maintenance and capital improvements; monitors expenditures and revenues to ensure compliance with approved budget; coordinates with agency and department staff members regarding budgets; and maintains related documentation.

Communicates with the communications director on all media correspondence and public relations. Represents the County at various functions; attends County board meetings and various other meetings; attends ceremonies, dedications, and other events; makes speeches or presentations; and provides information to the public regarding plans, projects, issues and concerns regarding area of assignment.

Collaborates with various departments to review and update ordinances.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Public Safety, or related field required (Master's degree preferred); supplemented by fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in public safety, with a minimum of five years of experience at the department head level in a large metropolitan government; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Licenses and Certifications

Must possess and maintain a Driver's License. Must currently possess (or be able to obtain within one year of hire) one of the following certifications: Georgia State Certified Firefighter through Georgia Firefighters Standards and Training, Georgia POST Peace Officer Certification, Georgia POST Certified Basic Communication Officer, or a Georgia Emergency Manager Certification.

Physical Abilities

Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.

Sensory Requirements

Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors

Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.