Job Information
The City of Houston EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM DIRECTOR (EXECUTIVE LEVEL) in Houston, Texas
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM DIRECTOR (EXECUTIVE LEVEL)
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EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM DIRECTOR (EXECUTIVE LEVEL)
Salary
Depends on Qualifications
Location
Houston, TX
Job Type
Executive Level
Job Number
38476
Department
Houston Fire Department
Opening Date
03/19/2026
Description
Benefits
Questions
POSITION OVERVIEW
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FROM: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED
DIVISION: EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) SYSTEM
REPORTING LOCATION: 500 JEFFERSON*
*Subject to change
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
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.
Key responsibilities include:
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
Participates in management of EMS budgets, contracts, grants, and vendor relationships, including funding streams that support disaster preparedness, tactical equipment, training, and resilience initiatives
Oversees 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 on-line 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
Preference will be given to candidates who possess knowledge of:
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
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.
To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call (832-393-0453).
If you need special services or accommodations, call (832-393-0453). (TTY 7-1-1)
If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.
Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.
All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.
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.
The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:
Medical
Dental
Vision
Wellness
Supplemental Insurance
Life insurance
Long-term disability
Retirement pension
457 deferred compensation plan
Employee Assistance Program
10 days of vacation each year
13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
Compensable Sick Leave
Personal Leave
Flexible schedules
Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
Professional development opportunities
Transportation/parking plan
Section 125 pretax deductions
Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html
01
Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?
Yes
No
02
Do you hold an M.D. or D.O. from an accredited medical school?
Yes
No
03
Are you board certified in Emergency Medicine?
Yes
No
04
Do you currently hold an active license to practice medicine in the State of Texas?
Yes
No
05
This position requires simultaneous outside employment with a local medical school responsible for emergency medical research and on-line medical direction activities for the City of Houston. Do you currently hold, or are you eligible to obtain, an academic appointment with a local medical school meeting this requirement?
Yes, I am currently employed by a local medical school in a qualifying capacity
No, but I have an existing relationship with a local medical school and can pursue this appointment
No, but I am open to establishing the required affiliation with a local medical school
No, I do not have a connection to a local medical school and am not able to meet this requirement
06
How many 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 do you have?
I have no experience that directly relates to the duties of this position.
Less than 7 years
7 - 9 years
10 - 12 years
13 - 15 years
16 years or more
Required Question