Position Description
Work, Serve, Thrive. With the City of Durham
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.
Pracademic Partners, an executive search firm, is assisting the City of Durham with this recruitment. Learn more and apply through the Pracademic Partners portal: https://www.pracademicpartners.com/current-recruitments.
The City of Durham is seeking an accomplished public safety communications leader to serve as Director of the Durham Emergency Communications Center (DECC).
DECC is a nationally accredited, 24/7 operation serving as the City’s primary Public Safety Answering Point for police, fire, and emergency medical response. The next Director will build upon a strong foundation while investing in people, strengthening organizational resilience, advancing technology, and preparing the Center for the future.
The Leader We’re Looking For
Durham is looking for a leader who combines operational expertise with emotional intelligence—a thoughtful communicator, trusted partner, and steady presence who can build strong teams and relationships while leading a complex public safety organization.
Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a public safety-related field; six to seven years of progressively responsible experience in emergency communications administration; and three to four years of administrative and supervisory experience. Experience at the Assistant Director level or higher in a similarly sized organization and within a consolidated Police, Fire, and EMS communications center is highly preferred.
Compensation & Benefits
Hiring Range: $160,000–$180,000, plus a comprehensive City benefits package including LGERS retirement, City 401(k) contributions, healthcare coverage, paid leave, and additional retirement and wellness benefits.
The successful candidate must establish residency within the City of Durham within 12 months of appointment.
Explore the Opportunity
Whether you’re an experienced Emergency Communications Director or an accomplished communications leader ready for your next executive opportunity, Durham offers the chance to lead an excellent team and serve a thriving community.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
To learn more or apply, visit the Pracademic Partners recruitment website.
Duties/Responsibilities
As Director, You Will

• Provide executive leadership for a dedicated emergency communications team.
• Strengthen partnerships with Police, Fire, EMS, Durham County, and regional public safety agencies.
• Support employee recruitment, development, engagement, and succession planning.
• Guide continued investment in CAD, radio communications, GIS, and emerging technologies.
• Sustain accreditation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
  

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a public safety-related field;
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in emergency communications administration;
• Three years of administrative and supervisory experience.
  

Additional Preferred Skills

• Experience at the Assistant Director level or higher in a similarly sized organization and within a consolidated Police, Fire, and EMS communications center is highly preferred.
  

Benefits – General Full-Time Employees

• 12-13 paid holidays per year
• 13 standard work days of vacation per year
• 13 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
• 2 weeks paid military leave per year
• Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
• State and City retirement plans
• Short and long term disability plans
• Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
• City contribution of 13.6% into the N.C. State Retirement System
• Paid funeral leave
• Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
• Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
• 48 hours for volunteer work each year*
• 4 hours parental leave each year
• Workman's Compensation Insurance
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plans
  

Benefits - Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year)

• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• State retirement plan
  

Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period)

• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• State retirement plan effective first day of the month following date of hire
• Health insurance effective first day of the month following date of hire
• Dental and life insurance, after one year of service
• Pro-rated vacation, pro-rated sick, pro-rated floating holiday, parttime holiday pay (based on scheduled hours for that day) after one year of service