Fire Communications Assistant Manager/Fire ...

Fire Communications Assistant Manager/Fire Communications Manager The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. In addition to the salary, an employee within this position will also be eligible for the following: General salary increase of 3.5%, effective December 20, 2026, and 3.5% effective December 19, 2027. Educational incentive may be eligible for 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5%, based on completion of an associate, bachelor's, or graduate degree from an accredited institution, not required for the position. Bilingual incentive - proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I), $1.00 per hour (Level II), or $1.32 per hour (Level III). Annual leave accrual - new regular, full-time employees in this classification will earn 208 hours per year, increasing to 288 hours after 5 years of service. Annual leave redemption - an employee may elect to "cash in" or redeem up to 100 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months. 13 paid days per year, including 1 floating holiday to use at your discretion. Medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your dependents. A flexible credit allowance of up to $1,024.11 biweekly. Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3.00% match on your 401(k) contributions. Both the County and employees contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and to Social Security. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems, such as PERS. Additional benefits available - tuition reimbursement, disability plans, employee assistance program, life insurance, wellness program. Are you a public-safety professional who thrives in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment? Do you enjoy leading teams, solving complex challenges, and supporting the systems that keep our communities safe? If so, the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) invites you to explore leadership opportunities within our Fire Communications Center (FCC). The FCC delivers county residents the latest technology for fast, efficient handling of their 911 fire and medical calls. There are five fire agencies and three ambulance providers serving more than 823,000 people who call Ventura County home. All fire- and medical-related calls are managed by the FCC trained emergency medical dispatchers. On average, FCC dispatchers answer approximately 575 phone calls a daymore than 210,000 calls each year. They also send emergency personnel to more than 400,000 incidents a year. The VCFD is seeking to hire a candidate to lead the FCC. The selected individual will be appointed at the level that best matches their qualifications, either as Fire Communications Assistant Manager or Fire Communications Manager. The ideal Fire Communications Assistant Manager will bring supervisory experience within a communications environment, familiarity with dispatch protocols, and an understanding of training, Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Improvement (QI), and daily operational workflows. Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)/Emergency Fire Dispatcher (EFD) certifications are preferred. The ideal Fire Communications Manager will demonstrate strong senior-level leadership with responsibility for personnel, budgeting, long-range planning, and major technology initiatives. While communications center experience is valuable, we also welcome candidates with broader public-safety leadership experience who have managed complex operations and can bring strategic insight, organizational discipline, and a commitment to modernization. Across both roles, we seek adaptable, collaborative leaders dedicated to advancing FCC excellence, supporting our teams, and strengthening the mission of the Ventura County Fire Department. These roles demand adaptability, quick decision-making, and the ability to work effectively under pressure to ensure the safety and well-being of those in need. The position may be required to work varied shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Telework or remote work arrangements are not available for this role. The successful candidate will be: Committed to fostering a positive leadership culture that supports and uplifts the team. Skilled in coaching and guiding personnel. Knowledgeable in core communications technologies. Consistent in upholding and maintaining policies and standards. Engaged in QA/QI and operational performance improvement. Effective in communicating with team members and stakeholders. Committed to operational excellence and readiness. Payroll titles and approximate salaries: Assistant Emergency Communications Manager: $54.27 to $75.98 hourly. Fire Communications Manager: $4,749.04 to $6,648.66 biweekly. The Assistant Emergency Communications Manager is a Management Classification and is eligible for overtime compensation. The Fire Communications Manager is a Management Classification and is not eligible for overtime compensation. Department/agency - Ventura County Fire Department. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular, Temporary, Fixed-term, Intermittent, or Extra Help vacancies for this position only. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy. Tentative schedule opening date: February 26, 2026. Closing date: March 12, 2026. Examples Of Duties Duties for the Fire Communications Assistant Manager may include, but are not limited to the following: Manages FCC Public Safety Dispatch Supervisors, as assigned, which includes directing, supervising, evaluating, and fostering their growth and development. Oversees daily operations in the FCC which includes monitoring workflow, communication, and shift alignment to ensure operational continuity. Oversees performance monitoring, coaching, and conflict resolution to support a positive work environment. Ensures consistent application of SOPs, policies, directives and procedural changes across FCC. Directs the implementation, programming and maintenance of technology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems, including GIS/CAD testing, documentation, troubleshooting, and deployment of new equipment. Manages projects and participates in workgroups to support alignment and organizational consistency. Prepares and presents operational data, reports, and recommendations to support informed decision-making. Oversees FCC training programs, including new-hire training, continuing education, and QA/QI for fire/EMS call-taking. Oversees Fire GIS and CAD personnel, and their associated systems. Acts as a liaison for representatives from other agencies, departments, telephone companies and the California 911 Branch. Answers inquiries from staff, members of the public, vendors and contractors regarding 911, CAD and intelligent workstation equipment, including one hundred telephone lines, call routing and jurisdictional boundary issues. Manages the Ventura County Master Street Address Guide (MSAG) and prepares the emergency service number (ESN) assignments to the public safety answering points in the county. Conducts training sessions for the police and fire department personnel throughout the County. Maintains a variety of records and produces management reports using automated systems, manuals and other reference materials and provides staff reports or position papers and makes recommendations based on analysis of research findings. In addition to the above, the Fire Communications Manager duties may include, but are not limited to the following: Leads long-range planning, modernization efforts, and major FCC initiatives. Develops and monitors the FCC and Fire GIS budgets, analyzing operational and financial data to improve efficiency and service delivery. Develops administrative policy and operational documentation, consults with executive management, and negotiates contracts and agreements with external partners. Directs FCC technology systems, including GIS, CAD, MDC/AVL interfaces, radio systems, and dispatch resource files, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational relevance. Manages hardware, software, and infrastructure needs, establishing procedures for system failures, repairs and maintenance. Investigates service concerns and evaluates emerging technologies, recommending improvements to FCC operations. Prepares and presents formal presentations and written reports for leadership and stakeholders. Represents the FCC and

Created: 2026-03-05