Fire Communications Assistant Manager/Fire Communications Manager

Full Job Description

WHAT WE OFFER

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: A 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.
• Holidays: 13 paid days per year, including 1 floating holiday to use at your discretion.
• Health Plans: Medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your dependents. A flexible credit allowance of up to $1,024.11 biweekly.
• Deferred Compensation - 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.
• Pension Plan - 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.

THE POSITION

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 day—more than 210,000 calls each year. They also send emergency personnel to more than 400,000 incidents a year.

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

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.

DEPARTMENT/AGENCY - Ventura County Fire Department

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: February 26, 2026
CLOSING DATE: March 12, 2026

Requirements

Duties for the Fire Communications Assistant Manager may include, but are not limited to the following:

In addition to the above, the Fire Communications Manager duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and ensure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE

Fire Communications Assistant Manager

Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of communications dispatch for a public safety agency performing varied technical and/or administrative duties of which three (3) years included the supervision of subordinates.

Experience must include updating, maintaining and troubleshooting problems with complex systems such as CAD, GIS, computerized telephone systems AND current certifications in International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) Emergency Medical Dispatch and Emergency Fire Dispatch;

Fire Communications Manager

Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of communications dispatch performing varied technical and/or administrative duties of which three (3) years included the supervision of subordinates.

Experience must include updating, maintaining and troubleshooting problems with complex systems such as CAD, GIS, computerized telephone systems.

OR

Six (6) years of experience in a Command position, in the rank of Captain and above, managing complex operations, for a public safety agency to include only Law Enforcement and Fire Rescue operations performing varied technical and/or administrative duties of which three (3) years included the supervision of subordinates.

Experience must include updating, maintaining and troubleshooting problems with complex systems such as CAD, GIS, computerized telephone systems.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Thorough knowledge of:

Thorough skills in:

Thorough ability to:

Additional Information

FINAL FILING DATE

Applications must be received by the County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 12, 2026.

To apply online, please refer to our website at hr.venturacounty.gov.

If you prefer to submit a paper application, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura, Human Resources Division, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Loc.

# 1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Note to Applicants: It is essential that sufficient information is provided under the Education/Work Experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications.

A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

APPLICATION EVALUATION – QUALIFYING

All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the examination process.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – QUALIFYING

All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing.

This supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant’s qualifications and acceptability for the position.

Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%

A job-related oral examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating examinees' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job.

Examinees must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an Oral Examination will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.

Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Lucy Fernandez by email at lucy.fernandez@venturacounty.gov or by telephone at (805) 389-9679.