EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM DIRECTOR (EXECUTIVE LEVEL)

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED Division: EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) SYSTEM Reporting location: 500 JEFFERSON (subject to change) The City of Houston Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System is a critical component of the City’s public safety and emergency response infrastructure. Serving one of the largest and most diverse metropolitan populations in the United States, Houston EMS, as part of the Houston Fire Department, delivers basic and advanced life support, emergency medical response, patient transport, disaster response, and special event medical services. The EMS System works collaboratively with the Houston Fire Department, regional hospitals, public health agencies, emergency management partners, and law enforcement to ensure rapid, coordinated, and high-quality prehospital care. The system plays a vital role in large-scale emergency preparedness, public health emergencies, and citywide resilience initiatives.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Emergency Medical Services System Director provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight of Houston’s EMS System. This role is responsible for ensuring clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, fiscal stewardship, workforce readiness, and system-wide integration with public safety and healthcare partners. Directing all clinical EMS operations, clinical services, and administrative functions, with command oversight of high‑acuity responses, mass‑casualty incidents, and tactical medical deployments Establishing system‑wide clinical and operational policies, protocols, and performance standards aligned with disaster medicine, trauma care, and law‑enforcement/first‑responder integration Leading emergency preparedness, large‑scale disaster response, and special event medical operations, including incident command participation, surge capacity planning, and inter‑agency coordination Overseeing quality assurance, clinical outcomes, and continuous improvement initiatives, with a focus on trauma system performance, disaster response readiness, and after‑action review implementation Participating in management of EMS budgets, contracts, grants, and vendor relationships, including funding streams that support disaster preparedness, tactical equipment, training, and resilience initiatives Overseeing Associate and Assistant Medical Directors as well as support staff, to include CQI and education personnel Serving as a senior medical advisor to City leadership on EMS operations, disaster and public health preparedness, tactical medicine, and system‑wide emergency response performance

WORKING CONDITIONS

There are frequent exposures to extreme levels of temperature, air pollution, noise pollution, chemical gases and substances, and/or contagious diseases or physical trauma conditions of a short‑term disabling nature, such as broken bones or temporary loss of sight or hearing.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Requires an M.D. or D.O. from an accredited medical school and board certification in Emergency Medicine. In addition, must hold simultaneous outside employment with a local medical school that has the responsibility for emergency medical research activities and online medical direction activities for the city and shall report to the president or dean of the medical school for purposes of the outside employment.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Seven years of experience in out‑of‑hospital emergency care of critically ill or injured patients, trauma care, and EMS research, including public and professional education, are required.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

Requires a license to practice medicine in the State of Texas.

PREFERENCES

Expertise in large‑scale EMS system operations and clinical oversight Knowledge of pre‑hospital care standards, accreditation, and regulatory compliance Board certified in Emergency Medical Services Experience with emergency preparedness, disaster response, and incident command systems Strong financial management, budgeting, and grant administration skills Proven ability to lead diverse, multidisciplinary teams Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and executive leadership capabilities Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1‑6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Selection / Skills Tests Required: Department may administer skills assessment test. Safety Impact Position: Yes. If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test. Salary Information: Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate’s qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification. Pay Grade: 38 EOE Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy. #J-18808-Ljbffr Houston Area Urban League