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Assistant Fire Chief Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

City of Sterling Heights

Fire Chief

Sterling Heights, MI · On-site

$152K - $178K/yr

A master's degree is highly desired. * 2-years as an Assistant Chief (or equivalent) and an ... Strong background in modern fire, EMS, emergency management, and all hazards practices. * A ...

New

City of Dearborn

Chief Plans Examiner

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$84K - $119K/yr

Reporting to the Assistant Building Official, this role manages division workflows and serves as ... Coordinates plan review workflow and communication among Planning, Engineering, Fire, and other ...

Schulte Companies

Chief Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI

Assists other departments in fulfilling guest requests and resolving guest concerns * Assist in the ... Be aware of fire, safety, and protection equipment/hazards * Perform various other duties as ...

Schulte Companies

Chief Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI

Assists other departments in fulfilling guest requests and resolving guest concerns * Assist in the ... Be aware of fire, safety, and protection equipment/hazards * Perform various other duties as ...

Schulte

Chief Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

Assists other departments in fulfilling guest requests and resolving guest concerns * Assist in the ... Be aware of fire, safety, and protection equipment/hazards * Perform various other duties as ...

Zobility

Chief Engineer III

New Hudson, MI · On-site

$125K - $196K/yr

Responsibilities: * Assist in market intelligence, customer lead generation, scope meetings ... Fire Control Systems * Turrets and Ammo Handling Systems * Virtual Environments and Battlefield ...

Oshkosh Corporation

Defense Chief Engineer

Hudson, MI · On-site

Typical responsibilities include, but are not limited to: * Assist in market intelligence, customer ... Fire Control Systems * Turrets and Ammo Handling Systems * Virtual Environments and Battlefield ...

ServPro NE

Mitigation Technician

Comstock Park, MI · On-site

Key Responsibilities * Assist in water, fire, mold, and storm mitigation and cleanup services * Set ... Support Crew Chief and Project Manager with job execution and site leadership Qualifications ...

ServPro NE

Mitigation Technician

Stanwood, MI · On-site

$17 - $21/hr

Key Responsibilities * Assist in water, fire, mold, and storm mitigation and cleanup services * Set ... Support Crew Chief and Project Manager with job execution and site leadership Qualifications ...

ServPro NE

Mitigation Technician

Stanwood, MI · On-site

Key Responsibilities * Assist in water, fire, mold, and storm mitigation and cleanup services * Set ... Support Crew Chief and Project Manager with job execution and site leadership Qualifications ...

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All JobsFire Chief JobsAssistant Fire Chief JobsAssistant Fire Chief Jobs in Michigan

Assistant Fire Chief information

See Michigan salary details

$28.8K

$74.9K

$136.4K

How much do assistant fire chief jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant fire chief in Michigan is $74,863.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,100.00 and $97,200.00 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 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.

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 are the most commonly searched types of Fire Chief jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Fire Chief jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Assistant Fire Chief jobs in Michigan? For Assistant Fire Chief jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Assistant Fire Chief jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Assistant Fire Chief jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Assistant Fire Chief jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Assistant Fire Chief job openings:
Assistant Fire Chief jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Fire Chief job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, and 32% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $74,863 per year, or $36 per hour.

Fire Chief

City of Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights, MI

$152K - $178K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

The City of Sterling Heights is seeking an innovative and experienced fire service leader to serve as its next Fire Chief!

  • Pay range is $152,250 - $178,640 annually
  • Defined Benefit Pension
  • Medical with a VERY LOW premium share
  • Dental at NO COST
  • Vision with a VERY LOW premium share
  • $2,500 annual contribution into a Retiree Post Employment Health Plan!
  • 12 Paid holidays
  • Vacation, sick, and personal time
  • Clothing allowance
  • Every other Friday off!
  • Access to an onsite Employee Health & Wellness Center staffed with a physician and nurse for you and any dependents + incentive for employee and spouse to utilize the center!
  • ...and so much more!

Position Summary

Under the executive direction of the City Manager, the Fire Chief is in charge of the Fire Department. Responsible for establishing and administering policy and planning for the Fire Department, prevention and extinguishment of fire, the protection of life and property against the hazard of fire and other hazardous threats, and ALS response, treatment, and transport. Directs planning and development of Fire Department programs.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Public Safety Leadership, Public Administration or related field from an accredited college or university is required. A master's degree is highly desired.
  • 2-years as an Assistant Chief (or equivalent) and an inclusive of 10 years of senior officer leadership serving a population of 50,000 or greater residents with a comparable budget and personnel staffing levels is required.
  • Strong background in modern fire, EMS, emergency management, and all hazards practices.
  • A graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer, Chief Fire Officer Designation, or similar certifications preferred.
  • Participation in state and/or national professional organizations is preferred.

Candidates being considered and moving on to the next steps will be invited to participate in an assessment center on Wednesday, August 26 and Thursday, August 27, 2026. An orientation for the assessment center is scheduled for Thursday, August 13, 2026.

If candidates have any questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@sterlingheights.gov or call 586-446-2338.

Check out the recruitment brochure for further information and details via the following link: Fire Chief Recruitment Brochure

To view the Summary of Compensation and Benefits document, please click the following link: Summary of Compensation and Benefits - Fire Chief

To learn more about the City of Sterling Heights and our Fire Department, please click HERE

Applicants must apply by Sunday, August 9, 2026.

EOE/M/F/D/V

Apply