Emergency Services Administrator (*Non-Classified)

Salary : $104,916.00 - $163,560.00 Annually
Location : Emergency Operations Center 3085 St. Lawrence Street, Riverside, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-2585-01
Department: Fire
Division: Fire-Special Services
Opening Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: 11/19/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

The Position
The City of Riverside is accepting applications for the position of Emergency Services Administrator (*Non-Classified) to fill a current vacancy in the Emergency Operations Division of the Fire Department
Under general direction of the Fire Chief, plans, organizes, directs, manages, and evaluates the City's Office of Emergency Management and associated emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation programs. Provides division-level leadership and administrative oversight of the City's Emergency Operations Center, emergency management programs, regional homeland security initiatives, grants, budgets, and assigned personnel. Ensures program effectiveness, operational readiness, regulatory compliance, and fiscal accountability while coordinating emergency management activities with City departments and local, regional, state, and federal agencies.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The Emergency Services Administrator is distinguished from the Emergency Services Coordinator by the level of responsibility over the Division and supervision of para-professional and professional level subordinates; providing expertise in an advisory role to the Fire Chief and other executive-level staff and Council; and for overseeing and performing difficult and complex work involving research, analysis, and the preparation of sound recommendations
*This position will be designated as (Non-Classified) and exempt from the classified service. The incumbent shall be appointed "at-will" and serve at the pleasure of the City Manager.

For positions indicating a salary range from 1N - 2X, the top 15% of the pay range cannot be offered upon hire or upon an employee promotion.
Work Performed

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, direct, and oversee the City's emergency management program, including maintaining operational readiness of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
• Develop and implement emergency management goals, policies, procedures, operational plans, and preparedness initiatives.
• Oversee the programmatic and operational responsibilities of the Riverside Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Regional Homeland Security Program and serve as the City's designated Single Point of Contact (SPC).
• Coordinate disaster preparedness, emergency response, recovery training, exercises, and community outreach programs.
• Respond to major emergencies and disasters, manage EOC operations, and serve as a technical advisor to the Fire Chief and City Manager.
• Coordinate with federal, state, regional, and local agencies on emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities.
• Oversee disaster recovery activities, damage assessments, emergency resources, equipment inventories, and related documentation.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend improvements based on regulatory changes, operational assessments, and lessons learned.
• Provide leadership, supervision, training, performance evaluation, and accountability for assigned personnel.
• Establish program priorities, performance expectations, schedules, and procedures to ensure effective operations.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare required administrative, operational, financial, and performance reports.
• Prepare and present program updates, recommendations, and reports to the Fire Chief, City Manager, City Council, and other appropriate officials.
• Monitor program performance, ensure compliance with City policies and applicable regulations, and implement corrective actions when necessary.Direct and oversee federal, state, and regional grant administration, including applications, budgets, expenditures, reimbursements, reporting, compliance, and closeout.
• Develop and manage the Emergency Services Program budget, including purchasing, financial reporting, and fiscal oversight.
• Establish and maintain financial controls to ensure accurate accounting, timely reconciliation, proper documentation, and compliance with applicable funding requirements.
• Oversee the financial and administrative responsibilities of the Riverside UASI Regional Homeland Security Program.
• Coordinate with City departments and funding agencies to ensure proper allocation, expenditure, and reimbursement of grant funds.
• Monitor financial performance, identify discrepancies or compliance deficiencies, and implement timely corrective actions.
• Provide regular financial and grant status reports to the Fire Chief, identifying funding risks, deadlines, and outstanding obligations.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major work in public or business administration, public safety or a related field.

Experience: Three years of progressively responsible experience in emergency services program administration, planning and/or operations, or related municipal administration, including at least one year of supervisory experience. Two additional years of experience may substitute for two years of the required education on a year for year basis.

Necessary Special Requirements
Possession of an appropriate, valid class "C" California Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
Must be able to pass an intensive police background investigation.
Must be available to respond to major emergency incidents on an on-call basis and under emergency conditions.

Selection Process
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:
1) Completed Employment Application
2) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire

3) Resume and Letter of Interest
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ON COMPLETING YOUR ON-LINE APPLICATION, CLICK HERE: (Application Guide).

The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS:

If you are selected to move forward in the assessment process, you may be required to self-schedule your appointment. You will be notified via email of your status and provided with self-scheduling instructions. Please check your email regularly following the closing date of this recruitment.

Positions that require, or may require, a California Commercial Driver's License are considered Safety Sensitive and are monitored by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Any candidate being considered for a Safety Sensitive position must submit authorization forms to the City immediately upon request to begin the pre-employment process.

It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.

Appointment may be subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, drug screen, and/or medical/physical examination.

NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Proof of education listed in your application will be requested at the time of conditional offer. Acceptable documentation consists of transcripts or degree, if applicable, by the accredited U.S. college or university.

Education obtained outside the United States (US) require one of the following options:

1. An equivalency statement from an evaluation company certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at Members - NACES or the Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE) at http://aice-eval.org/members/.
2. An advanced-level degree from an accredited US college or university.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.
Benefit Level II includes Senior Management, Management and Professional classifications (Exempt)

The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows:

• Retirement for Classic Members - For employees hired after 1/1/2013 who are CLASSIC MEMBERS of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7 % @ age 55; 3-year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 8%. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who ARE NOT a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2% at age 62; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 50% of the normal cost. And is subject to change per CalPERS every fiscal year. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Health Insurance - The City offers six health insurance plans and contributes up to $1,734 per month for HMO plans (family coverage).
• Dental Insurance - The City provides three dental insurance plans and contributes up to $85 per month.
• Vision Insurance - The City provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical coverage.
• Life Insurance - The City provides and pays for term life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment equal to two times the annual salary rounded to the next highest $1,000 (up to $700k) plus AD&D. Additional Life Insurance is available and voluntary for employee and eligible dependents (up to $300k).
• Deferred Compensation - The City will contribute the following amounts per month, with a minimum employee contribution of $12.50 per check:
  
  • Management and Professional Units: $150/month
  • Senior Management Unit: $175/month
• Leave Benefits - Includes vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday benefits. Please refer to the Fringe Benefits and Salary Plan for specific details.
• Flexible Spending Account - The City offers a Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan for optional participation.
• Long Term Disability - The City offers optional enrollment in the Long-Term Disability Plan.
• LegalEase Plan - Optional legal services plan for employees and eligible dependents.
• Critical Illness Plan - Optional critical illness insurance plan for employees and eligible dependents.
• Vacation Accrual - 0-9 yrs. = 144 hrs., 10+ yrs. = 184 hrs.
• Administrative Leave -
  
  • Management and Professional Units: 64 hrs. per fiscal year.
  • Senior Management Unit: 80 hrs. per fiscal year.

For additional benefits information, please visit the following website:

For part-time, benefitted positions the insurance and other benefits (leave accruals, holidays, etc.) are pro-rated based on ½ or ¾ time status.
01

Instructions: The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum and/or highly desirable qualifications for the position in which you are applying. Detailed responses must be provided for each question in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered.
(*Do not refer to a resume in lieu of completing the supplemental questions).
Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

• I understand.

02

Please select the appropriate level of education you have completed (Attach copy of diploma/degree to your application).

• Less than HS diploma
• HS diploma or equivalent
• Some college (30 semester units or 45 quarter units, up to 59 semester units or 89 quarter units)
• Associate degree (60 semester or 90 quarter units)
• Bachelor degree (120 semester or 180 quarter units)
• Master degree
• Ph.D.

03

Please indicate which area of major coursework you possess a degree in, from an accredited college or university.

• Public Administration
• Business Administration
• Public Safety
• A major closely related to one of the above
• I do not possess a degree in one of the majors above

04

If you marked, "A major closely related to one of the above," please indicate the major for which you possess a degree; otherwise, indicate 'N/A'.
05

Please indicate the amount of progressively responsible experience you possess in emergency services pr