Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Ready to Lead When It Matters Most?

At the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), our mission is bigger than responding to emergencies, we help California prepare for what’s next.

We’re looking for an accomplished executive leader to join the California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) as Deputy Superintendent. This is an opportunity to shape the future of emergency management and public safety training across California and make a direct impact on the people and communities who depend on it.

About CSTI

The California Specialized Training Institute is a critical component of Cal OES that operates year-round from our main campus in San Luis Obispo, Cal OES headquarters in Sacramento, and training sites across the state. We deliver over 150 specialized courses covering emergency management, hazardous materials, exercise development, fire and rescue, criminal justice, disaster recovery, and crisis communications - equipping first responders and emergency personnel with the skills they need when every second counts.

As Deputy Superintendent, you’ll serve as a key executive leader in one of California’s most critical public safety training organizations.

Working under the administrative direction of the Assistant Director and Superintendent, you will provide strategic leadership for the statewide development, implementation, evaluation, and oversight of CSTI’s emergency management, and public safety training programs and provide high-level oversight of CSTI campus daily operations in San Luis Obispo.

You will help shape priorities, solve complex challenges, and ensure California’s training programs evolve alongside emerging threats and the changing needs of communities across the state.

What You’ll Lead

In this high-impact role, you will:

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction across CSTI programs and operations.
• Shape statewide training strategies for emergency management, homeland security, hazardous materials, fire and rescue, disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Advise Cal OES executive leadership on complex policy, fiscal, operational, program, and training matters.
• Lead and develop a diverse workforce through subordinate managers, fostering accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Manage daily campus operations on the San Luis Obispo campus.
  
• Oversee statewide coordination of FEMA and other federally supported training activities in California.
• Ensure programs meet applicable state and federal regulations, certification and accreditation standards, and credentialing requirements.
• Strengthen partnerships across government, public safety, emergency management, and other organizations.
• Anticipate emerging risks and translate statewide needs into effective, innovative training solutions.

As Deputy Superintendent, you will have the opportunity to influence statewide policy and program priorities, strengthen California’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities, and help build a resilient public safety workforce. 

If you are a strategic and decisive leader who can see the big picture while navigating complex operational environments, build trust and bring people together, and make sound decisions when the stakes are high, we want to hear from you. You know how to turn emerging threats and changing needs into practical solutions, and you are motivated by the opportunity to lead programs that make a meaningful difference for California communities.

Take the next step. Apply today and help prepare California for whatever comes next.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The position is based in San Luis Obispo but will be expected to travel throughout the state. Please see duty statement for additional information.

DMV Pull Program
Participation in the DMV Pull Program is required. The position(s) require(s) a valid Driver’s License (DL). You must answer the questions addressing your DL on your application. Ensure you provide your DL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

Conflict of Interest (COI)
This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code and is required to complete Form 700 within 30 days of appointment. Failure to comply with the Conflict of Interest Code requirements may void the appointment.

All hires may be subject to a criminal background check.

Special Requirements

Follow the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) guidelines carefully, applicants that do not comply with the SOQ and application filing instructions will be disqualified from the examination.

When preparing your Statement of Qualifications, you are required to follow these guidelines:

• Responses to the Statement of Qualifications must be addressed and numbered in the same order as is listed on the bulletin
• Responses must be in paragraph form
• Responses must be typewritten on 8 1/2" x 11" paper, single spaced, using 11-point, Arial font
• Responses must be limited to five (5) single sided pages
• One-inch margins must be used
• Specific examples must be provided to justify your knowledge and experience described.

Evaluation of each candidate will be based on the content of the SOQ responses, demonstrating written communication skills, and the ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing.

Note: Each response must clearly identify your specific role in the example provided, including the number of years of experience in that role and the dates of that experience.

The SOQ must address the following statements and in order listed below:

1. Describe your experience leading staff and managing operations in a complex or geographically dispersed environment. Provide a specific example demonstrating how you fostered an inclusive, high-performing workplace; addressed staffing, resource, security, safety, or continuity challenges; and drove collaboration, workforce development, and operational results.

2. Describe a complex project, policy, procedure, or operational process that you developed, implemented, managed or significantly improved. Explain how you established priorities, managed resources and timelines, addressed requirements and challenges, communicated expectations, and evaluated the quality and effectiveness of the final product or process. Include in your response the results and any measurable improvements.

3. Describe a situation in which you used data, or other complex information to identify a significant problem or opportunity and develop a strategic recommendation for management. Explain how you analyzed the information, assessed risks or program effectiveness, and communicated clear, actionable findings to leadership or key partners. What was the resulting impact on the organization?

4. Describe a specific example in which you represented and advocated for an organization, program, or mission while working with internal or external partners. Explain how you communicated priorities, addressed competing interests or challenges, and built effective partnerships.

Note: Resumes or a cover letter do not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications. Please review the bulletin in its entirety before submitting your application package. 

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Proven ability to lead complex operations, establish priorities, allocate resources, manage projects, address operational challenges, and ensure effective, consistent, and accountable organizational performance.
• Ability to lead diverse, multidisciplinary teams; establish accountability and performance expectations; develop managers and staff; lead through change; and foster a professional, collaborative, inclusive, and results-oriented workplace culture.
• Ability to analyze organizational priorities, operational requirements, risks, trends, and available resources to develop sound recommendations, courses of action, and strategic solutions.
• Experience using data, performance measures, trends, and analysis to identify issues, assess risk, evaluate programs, improve processes, monitor outcomes, and support executive decision-making.
• Experience developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, procedures, guidelines, programs, and operational processes; establishing systems that are documented, consistently implemented, monitored, and compliant with applicable requirements.
• Experience managing complex projects, including establishing priorities and timelines, assigning and coordinating work, monitoring progress, resolving barriers, managing resources, and ensuring quality outcomes.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical, operational, policy, fiscal, or programmatic information into clear, concise, decision-ready recommendations for executives, employees, partners, and the public.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust, obtain buy-in, mediate differences, exercise diplomacy and sound judgment, and bring together diverse perspectives and partners, including individuals and organizations outside the incumbent’s direct authority, to achieve common goals.
• Ability to represent and advocate for an organization’s mission, programs, priorities, and operational needs while coordinating effectively across organizational boundaries and with government agencies, external partners, multidisciplinary teams, and other interested parties.
• Knowledge or experience in instructional design, adult learning, training delivery, or workforce development, with the ability to connect instructional priorities to operational requirements and organizational mission.
• Experience coordinating operational and facilities requirements, including staffing, resources, security, continuity of operations, technology, and other organizational needs.
• Knowledge of state fiscal processes, human resources, purchasing and contracting requirements, management and supervisory practices, and other public-sector administrative requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgment; resolve complex organizational and interested party issues; and develop practical solutions in challenging or changing environments.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, compliance, consistency, accountability, professionalism, and achieving measurable results aligned with the Cal OES mission and the needs of the communities and agencies it serves.

Benefits

Cal OES is conveniently located near downtown, many local eateries, financial institutions, and the Light Rail Station. Cal OES employees are eligible for a number of benefits and working for us is a great opportunity to join a committed team. Benefits include but are not limited to the following:

• Excellent CalPERS state pension plan
• 401(k) and 457(b) Plans
• Flexible Schedules
• Generous paid time off
• Health, dental & vision insurance for the employee and their family
• Investment in careers development
• Free Parking
• Electric Carport

Benefit information can be found on the  CalHR website and the  CalPERS website.

Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025): Effective July 1, 2025, CalHR implemented the temporary Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025), which reduces employee pay in exchange for leave credits. The reduction amount and leave credits vary by bargaining unit. Salary range(s) listed do not reflect this temporary reduction. For more information, visit the CalHR website ().

Standard State Application (STD 678) Information

• List the Job Code (JC) and Position Number for this position in the “EXAMINATION(S) OR JOB TITLE(S) FOR WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING” section on the State Application, STD. 678.
• List your most current employment history first in the “EMPLOYMENT HISTORY” section on the STD. 678.
• Provide the “From” and “To” dates with the month, day and year, the “Hours Per Week” that you worked and the Total Worked (Years/Months). You may include overtime hours.
• You must complete the “DUTIES PERFORMED” on the State Application (do not note “see attached resume” in this section). Failure to comply and your application is considered incomplete.
• Please note consideration shall be given to work experience gained in a part-time or full-time job, regardless of whether the job was a paid or a volunteer position or was within, or outside of, state service.

NOTE: Incomplete applications received may not be considered. Resumes are welcomed but do not take the place of the completed State Application STD 678. Applications received via fax or email will NOT be accepted. If you would like confirmation of receipt, please send certified mail.

**A candidate pool may be established for subsequent vacancies.**

**We encourage applicants to apply electronically.**

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - In addition to completing your standard state application (STD 678) and resume, you must provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Please see the Special Requirements section for instructions and questions for the SOQ. Applications received without an SOQ will not be considered.

Job Tags

Full time, Part time, Work experience placement, Work at office, Local area, Flexible hours

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