Health and Wellness Director

Job Description CONFIRE, JPA is recruiting for a Health and Wellness Director who will provide strategic leadership and organizational oversight of programs supporting employee wellness, professional standards, workforce resiliency, and organizational culture across CONFIRE JPA. This position is responsible for planning, developing, and managing agency-wide initiatives related to employee health, peer support and CARE Team operations, organizational development, professional conduct, and administrative investigations. The Health and Wellness Director ensures a consistent, accountable, and service-oriented workplace environment through effective coordination with executive leadership, managers, labor groups, member agencies, and external partners. This role requires advanced expertise in organizational health, employee wellness, professional standards, investigative processes, and interagency collaboration. The primary work location for this position is CONFIRE’s Rialto Office; however, you may occasionally be required to work at the communications centers in Hesperia or San Bernardino. CONFIRE, JPA is a Joint Powers Authority 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. Conditions of Employment Work Availability: Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed, to support organizational health, wellness initiatives, professional standards functions, and employee support operations. Must be able to report to CONFIRE facilities in Rialto, San Bernardino, or Hesperia as required. Emergency Response: May be required to respond outside of normal business hours to support emergency incidents, critical workforce needs, continuity of operations activities, facility or personnel emergencies, CARE Team activations, or other situations where employee wellness, professional standards support, or organizational stability is required. Travel: Travel between CONFIRE sites, member agencies, training locations, wellness partners, and regional support resources may be required. A valid California driver license and proof of automobile liability insurance must be presented at the time of hire and maintained throughout employment. Duties Organizational Health / Culture: Develop, implement, and oversee programs and initiatives that support organizational health, employee engagement, workforce resiliency, and professional culture across CONFIRE JPA. Promote organizational values emphasizing professionalism, accountability, teamwork, customer service, and employee wellbeing. Assist executive leadership in identifying and addressing organizational culture challenges, workforce concerns, and system‑wide engagement issues. Conduct organizational assessments, employee feedback initiatives, and workforce climate evaluations; develop recommendations for continuous improvement. Support leadership development initiatives related to communication, professionalism, customer service, and organizational expectations. Coordinate organizational health strategies across dispatch operations, EMS system partners, and administrative functions to support a unified service culture. Professional Standards / Investigations: Oversee professional standards functions related to employee conduct, workplace concerns, and administrative investigations. Coordinate and participate in internal investigations involving personnel complaints, workplace misconduct, policy violations, and related matters. Ensure investigations are conducted in a fair, consistent, timely, and legally compliant manner. Develop and maintain procedures and documentation standards related to professional standards and administrative investigations. Coordinate with Human Resources, legal counsel, Risk Management, and executive staff regarding investigative findings, corrective actions, and compliance matters. Peer Support / CARE Team: Oversee the Peer Support and CARE Team programs, including team development, training coordination, activation procedures, and member support resources. Coordinate employee wellness and resiliency resources related to stress management, critical incidents, behavioral health, and workforce support. Assist in development and implementation of post‑incident support processes and workforce recovery initiatives. Coordinate with regional partners, mental health professionals, and support organizations to expand available wellness resources. Workforce Health / Organizational Development: Assist in development and implementation of workforce retention, employee engagement, and organizational improvement strategies. Monitor trends related to employee morale, turnover, complaints, workplace conflict, and organizational performance. Develop recommendations and corrective strategies to improve workforce stability, professionalism, and service delivery. Support hiring and onboarding processes through coordination with Human Resources and participation in background and selection processes, as assigned. Assist with policy development related to employee conduct, workplace expectations, wellness, and organizational standards. Interagency / Administrative Coordination: Collaborate with member agencies, labor groups, EMS providers, and operational leadership to support organizational alignment and workforce effectiveness. Prepare reports, analyses, and recommendations related to organizational health, wellness initiatives, investigations, and workforce trends. Represent CONFIRE JPA in professional organizations, committees, and regional initiatives related to workforce wellness and organizational development. Other Duties: Provide vacation or temporary relief as required. Perform other related duties as assigned. Minimum Requirements Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in organizational development, psychology, public administration, business administration, human resources, behavioral science, criminal justice, or a closely related field. Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible management, supervisory, or professional experience in organizational development, public safety administration, employee wellness, human resources, investigations, risk management, or a closely related field, including experience involving employee relations, investigations, or workforce support programs. Desired Qualifications Experience in a public safety, emergency communications, EMS, or fire service environment. Experience conducting or overseeing workplace or administrative investigations. Knowledge of peer support, employee wellness, resiliency, or behavioral health programs. Experience in organizational culture development and employee engagement initiatives. Familiarity with labor relations environments and personnel processes. Strong communication, facilitation, and conflict‑resolution skills. Experience managing sensitive or confidential matters requiring discretion and sound judgment. Training or education related to organizational psychology, leadership development, or workforce wellness. #J-18808-Ljbffr