OUR COMMUNITY
Santa Barbara is among the world's most desirable places to work and live. Quietly nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara represents the essence of Southern California -- the art and culture of a metropolitan city with the heart and hospitality of a small, beautiful coastal town. Located just 90 miles north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara provides a unique living environment. The City offers its approximately 90,000 residents a year-round mild climate with an average temperature in the 70s, magnificent beaches, mountains and parks within minutes of a bustling downtown.
Among the City's many amenities are excellent healthcare services, abundant shopping and dining, harbor facilities, a municipal golf course and a municipal airport. Institutions of higher learning include the University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College, Westmont College, and Antioch University. With so many choices of restaurants, cultural events, outdoor recreations and leisure activities, Santa Barbara offers something for every taste and lifestyle. Santa Barbara is a truly magnificent and unique place to live and work.
CITY GOVERNMENT
Santa Barbara is managed by the Council/City Administrator form of government. City government services are provided by fifteen departments: Airport, City Administrator, City Attorney, Community Development, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Technology, Library, Parks and Recreation, Police, Public Works, Sustainability & Resilience, Waterfront, and Water Resources. The City Administrator is also the appointed City Clerk/Treasurer. Santa Barbara has 1,127 full-time equivalent employees, a $692 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026, and nine recognized bargaining units. The seven-member City Council includes a Mayor, who is elected at-large, and six council members, who are elected by district.
The City provides a full scope of services to the community, including public safety (fire and police), library, parks, recreation, planning, engineering, water, storm drain, refuse, and wastewater; and includes a municipal airport, golf course, and harbor.
Santa Barbara serves as the county seat as well as the county's financial and retail center. Research and development, high tech, and light industry businesses play an important role in Santa Barbara's economy. Year-round tourism also produces jobs and revenue to the City.
ABOUT US
At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here.
This new position brings an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Manager into the City Fire Department. The Santa Barbara City Fire Department is responsible for providing the rapid delivery of fire, medical, rescue, and life safety emergency services. Emergency services are delivered via eight fire stations strategically located throughout the service area. Our mission is to prevent and minimize the loss of life and property threatened by the hazards of fire, medical, and rescue emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, and disaster situations within the community. This position is scheduled to be presented to City Council for approval with the midyear budget process on February 24, 2026.
Learn more about the Fire Department here.
THE POSITION
The Fire Department is searching for an innovative and self-motivated team player with experience in successfully leading and motivating others to serve as the first EMS Manager. The ideal candidate should possess the following:
- Exceptional interpersonal skills
- A strong sense of community
- The ability to coach and mentor staff
- The demonstrated ability to establish, lead and successfully execute program goals
- a goal-oriented leader who desires to make a difference.
- knowledge of the principles, practices, methods and equipment used in fire-based emergency medical services (EMS)
- skilled in report writing, project and workload planning, and scheduling
- conducting EMS Training
- demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders while comfortably working in a diverse environment
- A background as a registered nurse or physician assistant.
Hybrid/Flexible Work Schedule: This position has the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule. Schedules are dependent upon operational needs and are subject to change. Details of teleworking considerations can be addressed during the interview process.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide exemplary customer service by interacting with all individuals in a professional, attentive, fair, courteous, and respectful manner, fostering a positive service environment.
- Plan, organize, and manage the department’s EMS Quality Improvement Program in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations; review electronic patient care records (ePCRs) for clinical quality, documentation accuracy, and billing readiness.
- Oversee the clinical performance, documentation, and professional standards of EMTs and Paramedics.
- Serve as EMS Education Coordinator, Program/Clinical Coordinator, and Primary Instructor by developing, delivering, and managing continuing education, certification, recertification, and skills competency programs; maintain all required training and provider records.
- Coordinate and manage EMS policies, procedures, and expanded-scope EMT and/or ALS initiatives, ensuring alignment with Santa Barbara County EMS Agency protocols, Title 22 regulations, and all required approvals.
- Collaborate with the Department Medical Director on patient care, education, infection control, and clinical oversight; serve as the Designated Infection Control Officer (DICO) and respond to exposure incidents and urgent consultations.
- Coordinate with hospitals, dispatch centers, public health agencies, regulatory bodies, and other EMS stakeholders; represent the department at local and state EMS meetings and working groups.
- Support EMS operations during large-scale incidents, disasters, multi-casualty events, planned mass gatherings, and serve as alternate Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Manager.
- Manage EMS logistics and compliance functions including supply coordination, controlled substance programs in accordance with DEA requirements, grants, audits, cost recovery efforts, and participation on the Safety Committee as a medical subject matter expert.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
BENEFITS:
To view our benefits pageclick here.
Knowledge of:
- County, State and Federal EMS systems
- Role of the EMT and paramedic in EMS system
- Laws and regulations pertaining to local, state and federal EMS programs and issues.
- Principles of administrative management and governmental organization.
- Principles and practices of supervision.
- Principles of planning, developing and organizing public services.
- Basic principles of program planning and administration.
- Current trends in EMS and disaster oversight.
Skills:
- Operate personal computer hardware and use purchasing and inventory software, and related word processing, database, and spreadsheet software programs.
- In operating a motor vehicle.
Ability to:
- Develop and administer Fire and EMS goals, objectives, and procedures, and internal purchasing controls.
- Analyze, understand and explain EMS laws and contracts
- Operate a personal computer to analyze and interpret fire and EMS response data using robust electronic reports including patient care reports
- Plan, coordinate and implement programs for EMS for the City of Santa Barbara.
- Plan, organize, develop and coordinate emergency medical programs within the operational area, state and federal agencies.
- Develop and maintain positive, cooperative working relationships with a variety of City personnel, county, state and federal agencies and volunteer organizations.
- Develop comprehensive EMS policies plans for the City's fire department.
- Provide extensive education to basic and advanced life support providers.
- Analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
- React quickly, efficiently and calmly in emergency situations and other conditions of high stress.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Make public presentations.
- Exercise judgment with general policy guidelines.
- Work independently.
- Be available to report for duty on a 24-hour a day basis.
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES
Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for satisfactory job performance would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge, skills and abilities would be:
Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in nursing, healthcare, or a related field and three years of recent experience as a Registered Nurse or Physician’s Assistant. OR
Possession of an associate degree in nursing, education, fire science, emergency medical services, or a related field and five years of recent experience as a Registered Nurse.
Licenses, Certificates; Special Requirements:
- Possession of a valid clear and unencumbered California Registered Nurse or Physician Assistant License
- Valid Class C driver license
- FEMA I-100/200 or equivalent
- I-300 within one year of hire
- National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE-1 or 2) must be obtained as follows:
- NAEMSE-1- Six months from date of hire
- NAEMSE-2- One year from date of hire
- Designated Infection Control Officer (DICO)- California or National training must be obtained within six months of hire
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support (PALS) or equivalent
Highly Desirable Certifications
- Instructor certifications in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) or Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS)
- American Heart Association CPR instructor course
- EMS Management Training via National Fire Academy
Note: Additional certifications to be acquired as necessary may include but are not limited to: Fire and Emergency Services Instructor 1 and 2 - National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1041 OR teaching through the UC system or equivalent OR National Fire Academy equivalent (NFAY0101) Fire Instructor 1.
It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as “See application”, “Extensive Experience”, or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.
The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There is currently one (1) vacancy within the Fire Department.
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.
CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026.
