Description

ABOUT PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY

Prince William County, Virginia is located just over 20 miles outside of Washington, DC, and is the center of much of what Northern Virginia has to offer. As the second-largest county in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Prince William County is a “Community of Choice” with a strong, diverse economic base, where individuals and families choose to live, work and play and businesses choose to locate.

Prince William County is projected to grow to 520,000 by 2030, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Prince William County is a young community with a median age of 34. Approximately 8.3% of the population is age 65 or older, and 42% of family households have children younger than 18 years of age.

The government of Prince William County is innovative and forward-thinking. The work of the government is guided by the Prince William County 2025-28 Strategic Plan, 2030 Report, and 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The eight-member Board of County Supervisors sets the policy direction and strategic goals for the nearly 6,000 county government employees.

The Board of County Supervisors is elected by the residents of Prince William County and is the policy-making body for the county government. The Board adopts local laws, sets policies, decides how money will be spent and makes local land use decisions. The Board appoints a County Executive to act as the chief administrative officer and oversee the county government on a day-to-day basis.

Prince William County will continue to be a Community of Choice with a strong, diverse economic base, where individuals and families choose to live and businesses choose to locate. To accomplish its strategic vision, the Board of County Supervisors has – along with a FY26 General Fund of nearly $2 billion –adopted the following strategic goal areas: Education, Environment, Government, Mobility, Quality of Life, Safe & Secure Community, Service Delivery, and Smart Growth.

SAFE AND SECURE COMMUNITY

The Safe and Secure Community portfolio is the second-largest functional area in the county government, with combined agency budgets of nearly $550 million for FY 2026 and more than 2,600 employees. These agencies are committed to achieving the county’s public safety strategic plan goals and objectives, which include:

• Develop coordinated community responses that improve constituent access to programs and services, strengthen collaboration with residents, businesses, and stakeholders, and resolve safety concerns
• Expand data capabilities to improve community awareness, problem identification, resource allocation, and evidence-based decision-making to inform prevention, intervention, enforcement, accountability, and restoration strategies.
• Promote fair administration of the justice system.
• Foster and improve collaboration between local and state government agencies, stakeholders, businesses, and residents to increase preventative evidence-based programming among youth and families to reduce harm.
• Anticipate, plan, and use a government-wide approach to major disasters, critical incidents, and unforeseen health crises.
  The following Departments are included in the Safe and Secure Community quadrant:

Prince William County Criminal Justice Services reduces recidivism through innovative assessment and supervision programs, supporting courts and clients via pretrial supervision, probation, and domestic violence services across the Thirty-First Judicial District.

Prince William County Fire and Rescue System unites eight volunteer groups and one career agency to provide education, prevention, and 24/7 emergency response across 22 stations in the county and nearby areas.

Prince William County Police Department provides accredited, community-focused law enforcement with 24/7 coverage, staffed by sworn officers and professional staff across four divisions and 13 bureaus, offering patrol, specialized units, and investigative support.

Department of Public Safety Communications runs the county’s 24/7 911 and dispatch center, managing police, sheriff, and fire/rescue calls – including Manassas jurisdictions – ensuring fast information flow and guidance before responders arrive.

Office of Community Safety drives countywide safety efforts through data-informed initiatives and cross-agency partnerships, focusing on violence prevention, neighborhood solutions, youth and family support, and innovative strategies that build community trust.

The Safe and Secure Community also includes key independent public safety and criminal justice partners, including the Adult Detention Center, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, Sheriff’s Office, Circuit Court, General District Court, Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court, Magistrate, Probation and Parole (District 35), and the Public Defender.

THE DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Reporting directly to the County Executive, the Deputy County Executive for Safe and Secure Community leads the Safe and Community portfolio described on Page 3, providing day-to-day leadership and administrative oversight of Criminal Justice Services, Fire and Rescue, Police and Public Safety Communications departments, as well as the Office of Community Safety. The salary range for this position is $172,432.16 - $275,887.46 annually.

Among the specific duties required of the position, the Deputy County Executive for Safe and Secure Community:

• Exercises managerial policy and management control over public safety and administrative services functional areas, as well as special task forces or other functional groups;
• Acts as a liaison to various independent public safety agencies in the county, including the Adult Detention Center, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, Sheriff’s Office, Circuit Court, General District Court, Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court, Magistrate, Probation and Parole (District 35), and the Public Defender;
• Exercises management and coordination over various functions within the County Executive’s Office to include administrative support, community and intergovernmental relations and policy and services coordination; 
• Represents and speaks on behalf of the County Executive in regional and intergovernmental organizations, negotiations and projects;
• Manages and directs policy and plan implementation activities; 
• Monitors performance of relevant departments, staff functions, and activities; and Serves as the Deputy Emergency Management Director in the absence of the County Executive.

Requirements

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The minimum qualifications for the position of Deputy County Executive for Safe and Secure Community include 10 years of progressively responsible leadership, management, and supervisory experience as a department director, assistant, or manager in a complex, diverse, local government organization with oversight of public safety, criminal justice or administrative services.

The preferred qualifications include demonstrated success in criminal justice reform, community relations and engagement, working in a multicultural and fast-growing community, and in increasing ethnic and racial diversity among first responders. A master’s degree is preferred but not required.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Comprehensive and broad knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and of the issues and policy problems that must be resolved at the highest levels of municipal government
• Ability to analyze complex problems and develop comprehensive plans from general instructions
• Ability to promote, encourage and lead collaboratively in developing, recommending and articulating goals, objectives, direction, strategic initiatives, policies and procedures for county-wide application
• Ability to promote innovation, critical thinking, and creativity in developing approaches and solutions to county needs
• Ability to review and analyze legislation for impact on the county and recommend revisions as appropriate
• Ability to represent the county on local and intergovernmental committees involved with local, regional, state and federal matters of importance 
• Ability to make presentations to elected and appointed officials, regulatory agencies, and department heads and staff as well as public or private agencies and groups
• Ability to respond to inquiries from county management, elected and appointed officials, and the general public
• Ability to handle multiple demands and priorities simultaneously, to perform highly detailed work under changing deadlines, and to be resourceful in managing new situations
• Ability to handle emergency and/or crisis situations and make quick and sound decisions
• Ability to demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community
• Knowledge of large-scale emergency management practices and FEMA standards

Special Requirement

Prince William County requires the selected candidate to reside within Prince William County following appointment. The selected candidate must also successfully pass a background check.

HOW TO APPLY

Prince William County is partnering with POLIHIRE to recruit their Deputy County Executive for Safe and Secure Community. To be considered for this position, please attach 2 PDFs – a letter of interest and your resume – in an email to PWC_DCXO@polihire.com. Please include only your name (Last, First) in the subject line.