Centrally located in the Triangle area of North Carolina, Wake County is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation and the second-most populous county in the state, with approximately 1,000,000 residents. The County was founded in 1771, currently encompasses 860 square miles, and is the center of the state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many government offices located in Raleigh, the County seat. Wake County is a thriving community whose population has grown approximately 120% since 1990, 50% since 2000, and is forecasted to maintain substantial growth of approximately 25,000 new residents per year for the next few decades. Wake County is part of the Research Triangle Park, one of the nation s largest planned research development communities. It has received national and international rankings and accolades from publications such as Money, Fortune, and Time magazines as being one of the best places to live and work, best business climates and best places to earn a world-class education, among others. The region is home to some of the world s largest corporations, as well as many start-up businesses. Because of the business-friendly environment, the County has a diverse economy, which includes key industries such as Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals; Advanced Medical Technologies; Clinical Research; Agricultural Biotechnology; Software Development; Defense Technologies; Interactive Digital Media; Healthcare IT; Smart Grid; Renewable Energy; and Advanced Transportation, along with many other more traditional industries. 2
Quality of life is a priority in Wake County. While highly recognized for stability, prosperity and growth, Wake County also has unique neighborhoods and a family of communities steeped in history and tradition, as well as a blend of diverse people from worldwide locations. The community offers all the amenities of big-city life without the high cost of living, along with a unique mix of urban and rural small towns, providing something for every lifestyle. The County has 13 municipalities, the largest of which is Raleigh (pop. approximately 420,000). The Wake County Public School System is the largest district in North Carolina and the 16th largest in the country, with 171 schools serving over 155,000 students. The Wake County Public School System has a strong reputation of innovation, bold leadership, quality teaching, academic excellence, and community involvement. The entire Triangle region boasts 18 colleges, universities and community colleges. North Carolina State University, located in west Raleigh, is one of the nation s premier research institutions and a national leader in engineering, architecture, biotechnology and veterinary medicine. The University also has a close relationship with many area technology companies, and its work in signal processing, communication and microchip technology is at the forefront in national research. The Triangle area is also home to internationally renowned Duke University in Durham and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. resulting in one of the largest concentrations of PhDs in the country. 3
Wake County greets more than 11 million visitors every year. Tourism brings $1.7 billion to Wake County annually or $4.7 million daily plus more than 19,000 direct jobs in the hospitality, retail and other service sectors. Wake County is also the cultural and recreational center of North Carolina and is home to the North Carolina Symphony, the North Carolina Museums of Art, History, and Natural Sciences, Marbles Children s Museum and its IMAX Theaters, music associations, and performing arts theaters. Professional and amateur sports comprise a large part of the area s recreational offerings. Wake County is home to the NHL s 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes; Atlantic Coast Conference college athletics, including North Carolina State University; and the North American Soccer League s Carolina RailHawks. Sports enthusiasts will find plenty of options, from soccer and softball leagues to tennis associations, numerous lakes and rivers, 250 parks and nature terrains, and award-winning golf courses. The cost-of-living index is 93.4, compared to the national average of 100.00, and the average cost of a home in Wake County is $265,000. North Carolina is known for its mild weather and natural beauty. The region enjoys an average annual temperature of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit, but also has four distinct seasons. The spectacular Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains are a 3 hour rive west, while the State s beaches, including the famed Outer Banks, are 3 hours east. Wake County is located midway on the Atlantic Seaboard, near I-85 and on I-40, offering easy access to Raleigh- Durham International Airport, which has 400 daily departures. 4
Wake County is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are elected at-large to serve four-year terms. Terms are staged such that every two years, either three or four commissioner seats are up for election. The Board enacts policies such as the establishment of the property tax rate, the regulation of land use and zoning outside municipal jurisdictions, and the adoption of the annual budget. The Commission appoints the County Manager, the County Attorney, the Clerk to the Board and the Revenue Director. The County Manager is responsible for the general administration of all County departments and agencies under the guidance of the Board of Commissioners, and for maintaining effective relationships with semiautonomous and autonomous agencies. The County Manager also advises the Commissioners on financial matters and services and implements Commissioners policies and goals. Wake County has a general fund annual operating budget of $1.063 billion. The County has approximately 3,800 employees, experiences minimal turnover, and is an award -winning leader in wellness and technology initiatives. These include innovative ideas such as an onsite employee health center and awardwinning web design. 5
The Wake County Department of Emergency Medical Services is responsible for the provision of EMS throughout Wake County. This responsibility is met by paramedic staffed ambulances, Advanced Practice Paramedics, district chiefs, professional development staff and administrative support staff and includes the provision of 911 EMS response, EMS system plan development and maintenance, oversight of non-emergency ambulance franchises, EMS education plan development and maintenance, EMS system provider training and recredential oversight, medical oversight and quality assurance, and data collection and research. In addition to the Wake County Department of EMS, the Wake County EMS System is comprised of three contracted 911 ambulance providers, emergency medical dispatchers, fire first responders at the EMT credential level, and three hospital systems managing four hospital-based emergency departments and four freestanding emergency departments. The system responded to over 89,000 911 requests for service in 2014 and has seen an average 5% growth rate in the last several years. The Wake County Department of EMS is comprised of 257 full-time employees and responds to 70% of the 911 emergency responses. The other three contract agencies (Cary EMS, Eastern Wake EMS, and Town of Apex EMS) respond to the other 30% of the 911 responses. The system works seamlessly from the citizen s view with all agencies working under the same medical director and same set of medical policies, procedures and protocols. Also, all units working off of the same 800 mhz radio system, automatic vehicle locator system, and closest unit response process. EMS telecommunications are handled primarily through the Raleigh-Wake Emergency Communications Center. In addition to the regular 911 responses, the Wake County EMS System has well-developed mobile integrated health (community paramedic) and research programs. Non-emergency ambulance service is provided by franchised for-profit ambulance providers and specialty care ambulance transport services are provided through the hospital affiliated ambulance providers. The Wake County Department of EMS is funded through the Wake County general fund. The fiscal year 2015 budget included $35 million in expenses offset 6 by $23 million in revenues.
The EMS Operations Director reports to the Director of EMS/ Medical Director and is responsible for effectively and efficiently managing the day to day operations of a complex, innovative, and nationally recognized emergency medical services delivery system. The position is responsible to ensure operational response; compliance with local, state, and federal mandates; budget and contract development and maintenance; and system provider training. The EMS Operations Director also works cooperatively with the Director of EMS/ Medical Director to develop strategic vision/plans, develop patient centered practices, and overall system management. This position, along with the Director of EMS/ Medical Director, works as a liaison to the many local community and state stakeholders and partners as well as represents the EMS System on a national level. Advanced interpersonal skills and the ability to cooperatively influence others is a must. The EMS Operations Director is also expected to regularly respond in the field with crews beyond just large incident and quality assurance activities. Education and Experience The successful candidate must have a Bachelor s degree in EMS, Public Administration, or related field; be eligible for North Carolina Paramedic certification and the ability to achieve Wake County release to practice at the paramedic level; eight years of experience at the paramedic level; and six years of management experience in a similarly sized EMS agency. Preferred Qualifications Master s degree in Public Administration, EMS, or related field. Desirable certifications include ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800. The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate experience with managing EMS operations, strategic planning, budget management, employee motivation and management, and collaborative work initiatives. Compensation and Benefits The County offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The salary range is $97,000 - $165,000. For more information about the benefits package go to: http://www.wakegov.com/employment/benefits/pages/default.aspx NOTE: A resume and cover letter must be submitted. This recruitment is open until filled. First review of applications will be on July 6. Submit resumes to: EMSDirectorRecruitment@wakegov.com 7
Successful candidate is collaborative, analytical, innovative, and a strategic partner with the ability to: Identify issues, obtain relevant information, relate and compare data from different sources, and identify alternative solutions Monitor programs and/or activities and take corrective action when necessary Work effectively with others, outside the line of formal authority Accomplish organization goals and to identify and resolve problems Use the results of strategic analysis to establish and commit to a course of action in order to accomplish long-range goals or the vision of the organization Coordinate, facilitate and participate in a collaborative approach to the completion of tasks or assignments Generate innovative solutions in work situations. Ability to try different and novel ways to deal with work problems and opportunities Allocate decision-making authority and/or task responsibility to others to maximize the organization and individuals effectiveness 8
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