Entry Level Network Administrator Jobs in California

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Extra Help
Job Number: 26-2550-01 (EXH)
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 03/04/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
NOTICE OF CHANGE: This recruitment will remain open until filled.
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department is accepting applications to fill a System and Network Administrator (Temporary) position in our Regional Fire Communications Center (RFCC)in Santa Barbara, California.This is a unique and exciting opportunity to be a part of a new regional fire-rescue-EMS communications/dispatch program.
SALARY:
The System and Network Administrator job classification title is EDP (Electronic Data Processing) Systems and Programming Analyst I.

• EDP Systems & Programming Analyst I: $47.15 - $56.76 Hourly
• EDP Systems & Programming Analyst II: $51.72 - $62.34 Hourly

Note: EDP Systems and Programming Analyst I/II is a flexibly staffed class series. Employees may be hired at either the I or II level of the series. The I level is the entry level of the systems and programming analyst series, occupied by employees who require close supervision while acquiring great technical knowledge and ability to work with clients in needs and feasibility applications analysis. Employees at the II level work from general instruction and consult supervisors for guidance on policy matters and assist in the resolution of difficult technical problems.
THE POSITION:
The candidate selected to fill this role will design or modify, and monitor computer application systems; assist system users with the resolution of computer application problems; write reports and manage automated jobs; update information on servers; and perform related duties as required under close supervision. Positions in these job classes perform applications analysis work of existing or new systems including programming, testing, maintenance, and implementation.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a Civil Service Rule (CSR) 905 Extra Help Appointment. An extra-help appointment is defined as an appointment made to a non-regular, non-permanent position established on a temporary basis to meet peak loads, unusual work situations, seasonal and recurrent work, intermittent assignments, or emergencies. This position is exempt from the Provisions of the Civil Service Rules.
On the employment application, please select the location(s) you would like to be considered for current and future Extra-Help vacancies.
BENEFITS will be offered once EHX employees reach Affordable Care Act (ACA) eligibility.
About the Regional Fire Communications Center (RFCC):
The RFCC is a secondary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) serving the Santa Barbara County region. This Center dispatches County fire-rescue resources for all cities (4), fire protection districts (3), and for the Santa Barbara County contract ambulance provider which is a 24-hour / 365-day operation. RFCC is a partnership between member agencies and administered by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
The RFCC is the dispatch center for the Santa Barbara County Operational area of the California OES Fire & Rescue Mutual Aid System. It is also responsible for ordering, dispatching, and tracking resources including fire engines, crews, dozers, aircraft, and overhead personnel as required through the Santa Barbara County Fire Department's contract with CalFire. The RFCC interacts frequently with other agencies including CalFire, California OES, California State Parks, National Park Service, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, and U.S Forest Service.
The IDEAL CANDIDATE will have system administrator knowledge and experience in:

• Operating systems such as Windows Server, Active Directory, data collection and analysis methods.

• Configuring, monitoring and troubleshooting firewalls and system security.
• Data management and storage solutions.
• Experience in networking protocols and configuration.
• Knowledge and experience in resolving technical issues, user inquiries, diagnosing and troubleshooting technical issues.
• Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to solve complex problems.
• Ability to understand, process, interpret, communicate and relate technical information to stakeholders, vendors, end users, and those who may have limited technical understanding.
• Provide excellent and courteous customer service, and establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with customers and colleagues.

The successful applicant is expected to possess some, but not all of the following:

• Working across various platforms such as databases, cloud applications, and system integrations.
• Network Administrator experience that includes network monitoring and performance, backup and disaster recovery, troubleshooting and support, and wireless networking.
• Strong understanding and experience with Fortinet FortiGate firewalls.
• Knowledge of Nutanix for data management and storage solutions.
• Ability to identify areas of improvement is existing processes and implement new automation solutions.

Examples of Duties

• Designs and participates in the development, testing, and implementation of computer application systems; consults with current and proposed systems users on the feasibility of proposed systems and changes; analyzes ongoing computerization needs; identifies design alternatives; estimates cost and timing of systems modifications and new systems development; proposes computer-based solutions.
• Monitors and corrects problems with production runs identified by users and computer operations personnel; develops and implements solutions to the problems.
• Writes technical specifications for system and program design; writes user operating procedures for new and revised computer applications; and confers with departmental staff, vendors, and technical support personnel regarding changes in operating procedures and systems design to ensure applications meet user needs.
• Modifies, enhances, or adds modules to existing applications; adapts purchased software to hardware used by department and to departmental requirements; provides project and technical supervision of staff assisting in application development and maintenance tasks.
• Designs procedures for testing new and revised software; conducts tests to evaluate conformance to specifications and to identify and correct problems.
• Conducts formal and on-the-job training for system users in the capabilities and use of computer applications.

Employment Standards
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must provide detailed information on their application to demonstrate how they meet the employment standards listed below:

1. Completion of 24 quarter/18 semester units of college-level courses in the principles and methods of systems analysis, systems design, computer program design, computer programming using a language utilized by the hiring department, and information system technology, AND two years of experience writing business application programs; OR,
2. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Knowledge of: principles and methods used in analysis and development of data processing applications; principles of systems and procedures analysis; uses and limitations of data processing applications; principles of information entry, storage, and retrieval; programming languages applicable to systems in use; current developments in data processing; operating capabilities of common hardware configurations; principles and techniques of computer programming; basic math to develop simple equations in programming applications and to estimate costs of systems; and basic principles of electronic data communication.
Ability to: define problems, collect and analyze data, validate conclusions, and make recommendations; modify and write programs for efficient applications; write instructions and procedures; write systems and programming documentation; prepare clear and concise memos and written reports; identify and take corrective actions to solve problems in programs and production systems; communicate on technical issues with individuals with varying degrees of computer familiarity; apply advanced programming languages and programming tools; establish and maintain effective working relationships with users and others contacted in the course of work; read and interpret technical instructions used for such tasks as coding and operating systems; organize work and set priorities to meet deadlines; work within prescribed time constraints.
Desirable Qualifications:
Knowledge of: basic principles of electronic records management to design or modify programs, bookkeeping to design or modify programs, and budgeting to design or modify programs; principles of project management; basic principles of supervision; and principles of database design.
Additional Requirements:

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required.
• Incumbents must be willing to travel to project sites.

Supplemental Information
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those candidates who meet the employment standards. Candidates that meet the employment standard will have their applications sent to the hiring department for review.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.
Recruiters will correspond with applicants by email during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines. The County of Santa Barbara will not release any applicant's email address to a third party.
Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Open until filled. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Alexandria White, Santa Barbara County Fire Department Talent Acquisition Analyst,
Retirement Plans

• Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
• Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans
• For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: and

Health Benefits

• Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members
• Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits
• Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!
• For more information on our health benefits, please visit:

Paid Time Off

• Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
• Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement
• Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below)
• Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting
• For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available