When most Californians hear “CAL FIRE,” they think air tankers, ground crews and the pink fire retardant left over from battling the state’s latest wildfire, but that’s just the tip of the proverbial spear. The department also has a significant back-office staff and IT footprint (and an even bigger budget) which could be growing thanks to a hiring blitz.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced earlier this month that the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the formal name for CAL FIRE, would be conducting a multiyear hiring effort that includes a laundry list of potential administrative and IT-related positions.
In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the department boasted a $4.17 billion operating budget, with an estimated IT budget of nearly $121 million. The governor’s proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year amounts to around $4.47 billion, with about $215 million set for administrative purposes (this includes IT).
The department's newly launched website lists 18 possible IT classifications, though not every classification has open positions at this time. They range from entry-level IT associates to telecommunications system manager (supervisor) roles.
While the departmental hiring spree is no guarantee of future technology investments, it does signal increased overall investment in the department and, by extension, the sort of movements that occur when departments start looking at new systems and efficiency enhancements.
Last year, CIO Chris Martinez told Industry Insider — California that the department would focus on providing mission-critical technologies that address the operational pain points, rather than introducing new tech. To that end, the department is already moving forward with a CAD and GIS enhancement project, with a solicitation issued in late May.
Lawmakers and the governor are currently negotiating the finer points of the budget bill passed last week. They have until June 27 to finalize the budget into law.
CAL FIRE Hiring Push Hints at Back-Office and IT Expansion
What to Know- A multiyear hiring initiative includes 18 IT classifications, ranging from entry-level to supervisory roles, signaling the potential need for digital infrastructure and support personnel.
- CAL FIRE’s operating budget is set to grow from $4.17 billion in FY 2024-25 to $4.47 billion in FY 2025-26, budget negotiations notwithstanding.
- CAL FIRE is prioritizing mission-critical improvements such as the CAD and GIS enhancement project. Solicitation was in May.
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