WASHINGTON CO. NOT PROCEEDING WITH HIRE OF E911 DIRECTOR
Washington County’s search for a new director of the E911 Communications Department will continue, as the county says it will not proceed with the previously announced hiring.
(Town of Vail, Colorado)
County commissioners voted on December 2nd to approve the hire of Zachary Sheets as E911 Director. Sheets has been employed as the director of the Public Safety Communications Center for the Town of Vail, Colorado and was expected to start for Washington County on January 12, 2026.
In a statement on Thursday, the county said it extended the position as a conditional offer of employment, contingent upon approval by commissioners as well as the successful completion of all pre-employment requirements and compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory standards. The county added, “During this process, those conditions were not fully satisfied, and based on the recommendation of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the County will not be moving forward with the appointment.”
The statement continued, “The County remains committed to ensuring that all leadership positions, particularly those related to public safety and emergency communications, meet all legal, regulatory, and professional standards. Washington County will evaluate next steps regarding the E911 Director position and will provide updates as appropriate.”
The county said it will not comment on specific personnel matters or pre-employment processes, in accordance with state and federal law and to protect individual privacy.
Human Resources Manager Amber Skalka said during the commissioners court meeting on December 2nd that the selection of Sheets came after two rounds of interviews through the recruiting firm, Strategic Government Resources. The county’s 13-member hiring committee consisted of representatives from local public safety agencies, including law enforcement, fire departments, EMS and other 911 personnel.
The search for a full-time E911 director has been ongoing since the fall of 2024, after the resignations of former director Robyn Hood and former operations manager Shannon Selden. Jerod Hartfield was appointed as the interim director.
When asked if Hartfield would continue leading the department, Carrie Marmol, Executive Administrative Assistant in the County Judge’s Office, replied that, “Everything is still the same with the current interim.”