Communications Director

CONFIRE, JPA is seeking a Communications Director to lead the Emergency Communications Division, providing strategic leadership, policy direction, resource allocation, performance oversight, and long-range planning for regional emergency communications operations. This executive role advises organizational leadership on system readiness, staffing needs, technology requirements, and public safety coordination while ensuring consistent and compliant practices through subordinate managers, supervisors, and specialized staff. The Communications Director maintains full administrative responsibility for the division and delegates daily operational, supervisory, and specialized duties through the established chain of command to ensure effective and reliable emergency communications across the region.

CONFIRE, JPA is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) located in San Bernardino County, California, established to provide regional public safety communications, dispatch, computer information systems (IS), geographic information systems (GIS), and emergency medical services in support of its member and partner agencies. The CONFIRE Communications Center’s primary function is to provide 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year fire, EMS, rescue, and other public safety dispatch services to agencies throughout the region.

Beyond its direct dispatch responsibilities, the Communications Center also serves as the San Bernardino County (XBO) Operational Area dispatch center, coordinating fire, local government, law enforcement, and emergency medical resources during large-scale incidents. CONFIRE is also preparing to launch a countywide ambulance transport system that will further integrate emergency communications and EMS operations while enhancing regional service delivery.

Work Availability: Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to support emergency communications operations, system readiness priorities, regional coordination needs, and other division demands. Incumbents must be able to report to CONFIRE facilities or designated locations to address urgent communication issues, support operational requirements, or assist with division-level initiatives.

Emergency Response: May be required to respond outside normal business hours to assist with emergency incidents, Continuity of Operations activities, system readiness needs, or other urgent operational demands affecting CONFIRE JPA. Responsibilities during such events may include coordinating communication-related support, ensuring system status documentation, providing operational guidance, and assisting with high-pressure public safety communication functions.

Travel: Travel between CONFIRE facilities, member and partner agency sites, subcontractor locations, project venues, and other operational or coordination sites may be required to support division oversight, regional communication integration, and system readiness activities. A valid California Driver License and proof of automobile liability insurance must be presented at the time of hire and maintained throughout employment.

Representation Unit: Exempt

Under administrative direction of the Deputy Executive Director of Operations, the Communications Director plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates CONFIRE JPA’s Emergency Communications Division and regional 9-1-1 and public safety communications services.

The Communications Director is responsible for the overall administration, strategic direction, operational performance, fiscal management, and organizational effectiveness of CONFIRE’s emergency communications functions. The position provides executive-level oversight through subordinate managers and supervisors and…