Executive Director; HRECC

This recruitment process is being conducted by Raftelis.

Please direct questions to Anne Lewis at  or  or Niayla Hairston at

RECRUITMENT BROCHURE

The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Emergency Communications Center (HRECC) is seeking a dynamic and proven executive to serve as the next Executive Director of this vital public safety agency. The Executive Director has the opportunity to work in a regional organization known for its excellent management, responsive governmental services, and strong community support. Serving a financially and politically stable region that is fast‑growing and increasingly diverse, this critical position helps continue the City’s and County's reputation for highly responsive and essential emergency communication services for all its residents and businesses.

The Executive Director provides strategic direction to an integrated team of professionals, ensuring efficient and effective operations by performing difficult professional work in managing the HRECC. A core responsibility is leading the complex operations, including overseeing the system communication design, procurement, integration, implementation, and continuous operation of state‑of‑the‑art communications center equipment. This innovative leader is tasked with maintaining the strict operational readiness of the Center’s telecommunications and radio infrastructure, analyzing operational procedures, and establishing essential protocols in conjunction with various service providers.

The Director manages all high‑level administrative functions and operational policies for the Center, ensuring goals are met under the direction of the HRECC Administrative Board. This executive leader authorizes and approves the hiring, assignment, and evaluation of all department employees. Furthermore, the Director is central to the fiscal health of the Center, preparing and submitting the annual operational plan to include budget oversight and program goals, controlling budgeted expenses, and performing overall supervision for special projects related to Center operations.

This role demands strict adherence to ensuring the physical and cybersecurity of the Center and maintaining conformance with established state, county, and city standards, regulations, and policies.

The Director maintains essential, active liaison relationships with all participating localities, law enforcement, and emergency service providers, as well as other key state and local agencies relative to the efficient operation of the HRECC. This responsibility also extends to maintaining appropriate contacts with the public and media regarding the use of the emergency communications system, including making formal presentations and responding to complaints as necessary.

This results‑oriented leader works effectively as a member of the greater Leadership Team, assisting in the planning, execution, and evaluation of organization‑wide strategies that achieve the vision and goals set by both City Council and the County Board of Supervisors. The Executive Director prepares periodic, essential reports for the City Manager, County Administrator, City Council, and County Board of Supervisors.

• Build a Resilient and Supportive Culture. Implement management practices that foster positivity, collaboration, and a safe work environment.
• Lead Sustainable Workforce Stabilization. Strategically execute recruitment, retention, and professional development to successfully move to sustainable, approved in‑house staffing levels.
• Address Middle Management Vacancies. Implement a professional development program to elevate leadership skills and successfully fill all open shift supervisor positions.
• Optimize Emergency Communications Training. Oversee the full deployment of the revamped training model to efficiently train and release new Emergency Communications Officers.
• Guide and Complete Core Technology Modernization. Provide executive direction for the Tyler AWS Gov Cloud Migration and subsequent Tyler CAD System enhancements, ensuring the organization maximizes new features, security, and scalability.
• Ensure Data System Modernization and Security. Protect the Center from threats while…