Commander

SUMMARY:

The Commander serves as a senior operational leader within the Department of Public Safety and is responsible for overseeing daily public safety operations and initiatives across assigned areas such as Patrol, Casino Security, and Dispatch. Commanders ensure the effective implementation of policies, supervision of Sergeants and Officers, and consistent delivery of safety and security services aligned with Tribal values. This role bridges strategic direction from Public Safety leadership with frontline execution. Provides direction to meet Tribal goals and to coordinate with other service areas, agencies, boards, commissions and the public. In addition, we strive to deliver our Five Star Experience to Guests and fellow Team Members. This includes being committed to our Service Promise: We are the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians Team, where your experience is our top priority. Every person and detail matters.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform this job successfully. Upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lead by example in providing outstanding customer service and carry out our Five Star Experience to Guests and all Team Members by fulfilling our Mission Statement, Service Promise and following department service standards. This entails consistency performing our service expectations of: Welcoming, Proactive, Seamless, Personalized and Valued.
• Continually coach and support Team Members to ensure they have the skills, tools and resources to successfully complete their jobs, including the delivering of the Five Star Experience expectations.
• Maintain readiness to respond to emergencies 24/7.
• “Lead Commander” to act as the Director of Public Safety in their absence.
• Demonstrates leadership in commitment to the highest ethical values in the delivery of Tribal Public Safety.
• Represent the department at meetings, inter-agency collaborations, and community events.
• Manage supervisors responsible for crime prevention, planning, investigations, research, special programs/projects and disaster preparedness.
• Monitor personnel performance, conduct evaluations, and initiate corrective or disciplinary actions as needed.
• Provides management direction to activities relating to the effective utilization of personnel, facilities and equipment.
• Coordinate staffing, shift assignments, scheduling, and resource allocation across units.
• Develops and coordinate department policy; collaborate with other department managers regarding policies and procedures; supervise training, assignments and development of subordinates.
• Manage departmental operations, activities and provide planning and research for disaster preparedness, protection of life and property, maintenance of the public peace, regulation of traffic, apprehension, arrest and detention of law violators, and maintenance of and provision of emergency dispatch services.
• Oversee the activities of the Tribal Public Safety Department in all operational functions. Develops and reviews policies, rules and procedures for effective operation of Tribal Public Safety Department.
• Coordinates with other local government agencies in emergency response activities.
• Review reports, statistics, and case documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Coordinates with other local government agencies in emergency response activities.
• Confers with and makes recommendations to the Director of Public Safety regarding projects and programs and assists in the development and implementation of Tribal Public Safety strategic plan.
• Updates Director of Public Safety of emergency developments.
• Assists in the preparation of budget related to assigned activities; oversees budget implementation; recommends regarding the forecast of additional funds; approves expenditures; implements mid-year adjustments.
• Makes presentations before various groups, including Tribal Council, commissions, boards, committees, task forces, and on and off-site public meetings; participates in community events.
• Supervises staff including provision of timely performance evaluations; recommends and implements approved discipline; provides staff development; and maintains high standards necessary for efficient, professional operations.
• Participate in recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of new personnel.
• Builds and maintains respectful, positive working relationships with staff, supervisors, outside agencies and the public using principles of good customer service; provides effective conflict resolution, as needed.
• Models appropriate professional management conduct; maintains appropriate confidentiality of sensitive information; complies with and supports Tribal policies and procedures and labor laws.
• Attends assigned meetings and training; interacts with outside agencies and commissions; participates in teams, or committees, or associations, as needed.
• Assure staff work in a safe manner; follows safety requirements; monitors and assures compliance with regulations and other legal requirements.
• Maintain excellent communications with all Directors and Supervisors.
• Implements approved departmental policies and procedures.
• Ensure the budget for the department is monitored and adhered to by implementing effective processes and procedures.
• Prepare the necessary data for the budget in the area of responsibility.
• Keep abreast of competitive changes including industry trends and local competitive set.
• Develop, maintain and nurture a positive work environment.
• Responsible for maintaining a disciplined environment and implementing practices that promote safety, quality and productivity.
• Ensure compliance with all Minimum Internal Control Standards (MICS) as well as all Tribal Internal Control Standards (TICS).
• Present a positive image of the Tribal organization to its guests and vendors and to assist them as required.
• Must follow all safety policies and procedures and attend all scheduled safety meetings and training as a condition of employment.
• Able to make difficult decisions in a fair and honest manner.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manage directly and indirectly all employees of the Public Safety Department.  Adhere to the Tribal organization’s policies, procedures and applicable laws.

Responsible for the overall leadership, direction, coordination, and evaluation of the assigned teams. Provides coaching, professional development, and ensures accountability to support high-quality service delivery and strong operational performance.

Carry out supervisory responsibilities which include but are not limited to: interviewing and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (MUST BE DOCUMENTED):

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Completion of two (2) years of college or university coursework in criminology, law enforcement, social sciences, public administration or a related field.
• Two (2) years of supervisory law enforcement experience equivalent to the rank of Police Sergeant or equivalent.
• Completion of a four (4) year college or university and five (5) years of law enforcement or public safety experience, with at least two (2) years in a supervisory or command role preferred.
• California P.O.S.T. Police Academy Certification preferred.
• Experience in tribal, casino, or municipal public safety settings preferred.
• CPR/AED and First Aid Certified required.

CERTIFICATION, LICENSES AND ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must pass background suitability investigation.
• Must pass periodic random drug screens. 
• Must be able to pass background suitability investigation.
• Must obtain all other applicable certifications and licenses.
• Must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States within 72 hours of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Upon request, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to use upper extremities, including but not limited to, hands and fingers to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. They may be occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, bend, push, pull, twist, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift up to 75 pounds and/or push, pull up to 100 pounds. The employee is occasionally required to use repetitive movements to complete tasks. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Employee may be occasionally required to work in low light conditions and may be exposed to loud noise for extended periods. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Multiple locations.
• Some enterprises are open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week; therefore, you must be flexible to work any and all hours.
• Must be available for emergency calls 24/7.
• Must be able to work in all weather conditions.
• Must be available to work weekend and holidays.
• Some enterprises are gaming facilities.
• Some enterprises are not a smoke-free environment.
• Surveillance cameras and audio equipment monitor the premises recording activity throughout most of the facilities on 24 hours per day, 7 days per week basis.

INDIAN PREFERENCE ACT:

The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians has a resolution on file with Human Resources to ensure that Indian Preference will be adhered to in the following order in accordance with IPA:

                                         1.  Tribal Members

                                         2.  Other Native Americans

                                         3.  All other ethnic groups