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Assistant Fire Chief Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Fire Chief

Leesburg, VA ยท On-site

$38 - $55/hr

The Assistant Fire Chief may oversee divisions such as operations, training, fire prevention, or emergency medical services (EMS), and may serve as acting Fire Chief in their absence. Candidates must ...

Minimum Qualifications, Additional Requirements and Supervisory Responsibilities To be eligible for promotion to Assistant Fire Chief, the candidate must be a certified Firefighter I or Firefighter ...

The City of Norwalk, Ohio is now accepting applications for the position of Assistant Fire Chief. Deadline to apply is April 14, 2026. www.norwalkoh.com for further information. The City of Norwalk ...

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Assist the Fire Chief in developing long-term objectives and plans for the Department andemergency plans for the area. 2.Inspect and ensure the effectiveness and utilization of departmental ...

Deputy Fire Chief The Department of Military Affairs is seeking a Deputy Fire Chief to share fully ... Reviews plans, schedules, and other management activities of subordinate Assistant Chiefs, ensuring ...

Department of Military Affairs is seeking a Deputy Fire Chief to fully share with the Fire Chief ... Reviews plans, schedules, and other management activities of subordinate Assistant Chiefs, ensuring ...

Department of Military Affairs is seeking a Deputy Fire Chief to fully share with the Fire Chief ... Reviews plans, schedules, and other management activities of subordinate Assistant Chiefs, ensuring ...

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Assistant Fire Chief information

See salary details

$33K

$85.9K

$156.5K

How much do assistant fire chief jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant fire chief in the United States is $85,892.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,000.00 and $111,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Assistant Fire Chief, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Fire Chief, you need extensive experience in firefighting and emergency response, leadership abilities, and typically an associate or bachelor's degree in fire science or a related field. Familiarity with incident command systems, fire inspection software, and certifications such as Fire Officer II or higher are commonly required. Strong interpersonal skills, decision-making under pressure, and the ability to motivate and manage teams are vital soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure effective emergency management, departmental leadership, and the safety of both firefighters and the community.

What are some common challenges faced by an Assistant Fire Chief when managing multiple fire stations and teams?

As an Assistant Fire Chief, one of the primary challenges is ensuring consistent communication and operational standards across multiple fire stations. Coordinating resources, training, and incident responses requires strong leadership and organizational skills, as well as the ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations. Balancing administrative responsibilities with on-scene leadership and fostering collaboration among diverse teams are also key aspects of the role. Building trust and maintaining morale while implementing department policies can be both challenging and rewarding.

What does an Assistant Fire Chief do?

An Assistant Fire Chief supports the Fire Chief in managing the daily operations of a fire department. They oversee personnel, training programs, emergency response coordination, and administrative duties. This role often involves supervising fire captains and other staff, developing policies, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and assisting in budget planning. Assistant Fire Chiefs may also act as incident commanders during major emergencies or when the Fire Chief is unavailable.

What is the difference between Assistant Fire Chief vs Fire Captain?

AspectAssistant Fire ChiefFire Captain
Required credentialsFire science degree, certifications, leadership trainingFirefighter certification, leadership experience
Work environmentAdministrative duties, strategic planning, overseeing operationsOn-scene incident command, firefighting, team supervision
Employer and industry usageFire departments, emergency management agenciesFire departments, emergency services

The Assistant Fire Chief typically handles administrative and strategic responsibilities, supporting the Fire Chief, while the Fire Captain manages on-the-ground firefighting operations and team supervision. Both roles require leadership skills and firefighting experience, but the Assistant Fire Chief focuses more on planning and management, whereas the Fire Captain is more involved in direct incident response.

More about Assistant Fire Chief jobs
What cities are hiring for Assistant Fire Chief jobs? Cities with the most Assistant Fire Chief job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Fire Chief jobs? The most popular types of Fire Chief jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Assistant Fire Chief jobs? The top employers for Assistant Fire Chief jobs are:
What states have the most Assistant Fire Chief jobs? States with the most job openings for Assistant Fire Chief jobs include:
Infographic showing various Assistant Fire Chief job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Part Time. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,892 per year, or $41.3 per hour.

Assistant Fire Chief

Qwalifize LLC

Leesburg, VA โ€ข On-site

$38 - $55/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

Type:

  • 3 months to 1 year contract with additional option years.

Full Time or Part Time:

  • Full-Time

Pay Rate:

  • $38.00 โ€“ $55.00 per hour (negotiable).

Location:

  • TBD โ€“ Onsite
  • Must be willing to relocate anywhere in the US.

Language Requirements:

  • Write, read, and speak English

Language Preferences:

  • Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Assistant Fire Chief to support the leadership, management, and operational oversight of fire rescue services, emergency response, and fire prevention programs.

This senior leadership role assists the Fire Chief in directing daily operations, supervising personnel, managing emergency response activities, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and departmental policies. The Assistant Fire Chief may oversee divisions such as operations, training, fire prevention, or emergency medical services (EMS), and may serve as acting Fire Chief in their absence. Candidates must hold or be eligible to obtain a security clearance and maintain it as required. Clearance level is to be determined. Performs other duties as assigned.

Experience Requirements

  • Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive experience in fire service, including supervisory or command-level experience
  • Experience in fire suppression, emergency medical services (EMS), and incident command operations
  • Experience supervising personnel, including training, scheduling, and performance management
  • Experience assisting with budgeting, planning, and resource allocation
  • Strong knowledge of fire codes, life safety regulations, and emergency response protocols
  • Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills

Experience Preferences

  • Experience in a municipal or county fire department leadership role
  • Experience overseeing training programs, fire prevention, or EMS operations
  • Familiarity with accreditation processes and ISO ratings
  • Experience coordinating with emergency management agencies and community stakeholders

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to respond to emergency incidents and perform command-level duties in the field
  • Ability to work in high-stress and emergency situations
  • Ability to attend meetings, trainings, and operational briefings

Education Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or a related field

Education Preferences

  • Master's degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or a related field

Training Schedule:

  • TBD

Schedule:

  • Varies based on operational needs; includes availability for emergency response, nights, weekends, and holidays

Dress Code:

  • TBD

Benefits:

  • TBD

Additional Information:

Drug screening, background, and reference checks are performed if required. Valid identification and reliable transportation are required. We are an E-Verify employer. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Our employees are authorized to work in the United States.