Information Systems Manager

Lead the Digital Future of Public Safety

Are you a visionary IT leader prepared to connect cutting-edge technology with life-saving emergency services?

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD) is a leading fire service agency in California, providing fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to over one million residents across 717 square miles, including 19 cities and unincorporated areas. We also manage the county's 911 emergency ambulance transport services through a unique alliance.

CCCFPD is undergoing a significant technological transformation, moving beyond the status quo. We are seeking a strategic Information Systems Manager to architect the digital foundation of one of the state's largest fire districts. In this mission-critical role, your leadership will ensure that our systems perform flawlessly when 911 rings, protecting the community we serve.

The Opportunity: A Pivotal Moment for Innovation

We are seeking to fill one (1) Fire District Information Systems Manager vacancy. This is a rare chance to join the District during a historic transition, marked by the completion of a $15 million next-generation communications center. This center includes a brand-new data center powered by a $4.8 million investment in modern IT infrastructure.

CCCFPD recognizes that employee success is key to the District's overall success. You will join an energetic, innovative team committed to excellence. If you are looking to learn, be challenged, and grow professionally, CCCFPD is the ideal organization.

As our new IS Manager, your leadership will be crucial in deploying a new VoIP phone system, modernizing the network across more than 50 facilities, and transitioning legacy workflows into integrated, cloud-resilient ecosystems.

The incumbent will plan and manage the overall information systems of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District which include: developing and maintaining the District's Local Area Networks and their interface with Contra Costa County's Wide Area Network; installing and maintaining systems software; ensuring information technology security measures; developing and implementing program applications; maintaining computer hardware and software; providing technical support to users and overseeing IT division personnel.

Your Strategic Mission: Moving Beyond "Break/Fix"

We are seeking a leader capable of driving strategic change, including:

• Driving Digital Transformation: Lead the shift from siloed legacy databases to modern, integrated enterprise solutions (SaaS/Cloud/Hybrid) that optimize operations for Emergency Services, HR, and Finance
• Architect Mission-Critical Resilience: Ensure 99.999% system availability for dispatch and emergency communications through robust redundancy planning, disaster recovery, and network architecture
• Championing Cybersecurity: Implement contemporary security frameworks (NIST, Zero Trust) to safeguard sensitive operational and medical data against complex threats
• Leading & Mentoring: Transform the IT Division into a proactive, customer-centric service partner. Foster a culture of continuous learning, mentor staff, and manage key vendor relationships effectively

What you will typically be responsible for: 

Your core responsibilities will include planning and managing the District's overall information systems:

• Strategic Roadmapping: Design a 3-5 year technology roadmap that directly supports the District's operational goals and assesses current capabilities
• Infrastructure Management: Oversee the lifecycle of the District's LAN/WAN, virtual environments, and hardware, ensuring the new $4.8 million investment achieves maximum ROI
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Implement Business Intelligence (BI) tools to help Command Staff visualize trends in emergency response and resource allocation
• Application Management & Integration: Direct the development, testing, and maintenance of applications, ensuring seamless interoperability between mission-critical systems like CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch), RMS (Records Management Systems), and administrative platforms
• Technical Oversight: Plan and manage the District’s Local Area Networks, their interface with the County’s Wide Area Network, system software installation, IT security, and technical user support, while overseeing IT division personnel
• Project Leadership: Set priorities and review the work of staff developing new/revised database applications for areas including personnel, budget, inspections, investigations, EMS record keeping, training, etc.
  
   

We seek a Diplomatic Change Agent who balances technical mastery with emotional intelligence. The ideal candidate is:

• A Modern Technologist: Proficient in network architecture, virtualization, hybrid cloud environments, and advanced cybersecurity defense
• Agile & Adaptable: Able to pivot rapidly in a paramilitary environment where emergency needs dictate shifting priorities
• A Collaborative Partner: Capable of translating technical requirements into clear business value for Fire Chiefs, Battalion Chiefs, and administrative stakeholders
• Solutions-Focused: An engineer of scalable, cost-effective solutions, not just a problem identifier
  
   

We are looking for someone who is:

• Highly organized, adept at managing time and competing priorities
• Comfortable operating within a governmental, paramilitary organization
• Knowledgeable about modern principles and practices of systems and database analysis
• Innovative, collaborative, and solutions-focused

A few reasons why you might love this job:
 

• Impact: Your code and architecture directly support first responders saving lives and protecting the environment.
• Growth: You will lead high-visibility projects, manage a significant budget, and establish cutting-edge programs.
• Culture: Join a respected agency known for its strong team culture, employee satisfaction, and competitive benefits.

A few challenges you might face in this job: 

• Adaptation: You will need to quickly learn and adapt to the paramilitary chain of command and organizational structure
• Balancing Priorities: Strong time management skills are essential to balance multiple priorities and deadlines, which may change based on the District's operational needs
• Broad Scope: You will support a full-service Fire District with multiple divisions and a wide operational scope
   

Competencies required:

• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Managing Performance: Ensuring superior individual and group performance
• Leveraging Technology: Applying technology for improvements in organizational efficiency and effectiveness
• Organization Design & Structure: Establishing organizational structure and clarifying roles and responsibilities
• Project Management: Ensuring that projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in computer science, information processing, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.

Experience: Four (4) years of full-time or its equivalent experience managing complex information systems projects which must have included three (3) years of design and project management responsibility for large applications systems and team leadership experience for both subordinate analysts and programmers.

Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two (2) years.

 

Desirable Qualifications (not mandatory):

The strongest candidates will possess a blend of the following experience and certifications:

• Certifications: CISSP, CISM, PMP, or ITIL v4.
• Cloud Experience: Demonstrated experience managing hybrid government cloud environments (Azure, AWS).
• Public Safety Tech: Previous experience with Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Mobile Data Computers (MDC), or NG911 systems.
• Leadership: Experience leading IT teams through major system implementations or organizational changes.