Assistant Fire Chief Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $196,476.80 Annually
Location : 411 Main Street, Chico, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-00521
Department: Fire Department
Opening Date: 06/04/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Position Information
The Chico Fire Department seeks a Deputy Fire Chief with demonstrated expertise in fire protection, emergency medical services, administration, and training, as well as the financial acumen and technological savvy needed to lead the organization collaboratively with confidence and vision. Click to view the flyer below.
To assist the Fire Chief to direct, plan, supervise, and coordinate the operational, administrative, training and personnel activities of a Fire Department Division; perform the role of Battalion Chief when needed to fill in; to provide highly responsible and technical staff assistance to the Fire Chief; supervise and coordinate the operations of the Fire Department in preventing and extinguishing fires, delivering emergency medical services, performing rescues, mitigating hazardous materials emergencies, and in protecting life and property; assist developing and implementing of initiatives to accomplish the department's strategic goals; serve as Acting Fire Chief in the absence of the Fire Chief; performs related duties as assigned.
Receives administrative direction from the Fire Chief. Exercises direct supervision over management and supervisory staff.
This is a management sworn classification responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating the delivery of Fire Department programs and services to the City of Chico with responsibility for all related activities including frequent interface with public officials, State/Federal/local agencies, other public/private organizations and the general public, and assist the Fire Chief in the development, proposal, and implementation of programs designed to provide quality fire protection services and maintain excellent customer service within the Department's jurisdiction. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion with broad guidelines. This classification is distinguished from the Fire Chief in that the latter class is responsible for all department activities.
Must attach a letter resume, three professional references, and required certification documents. Salary DOE. This is a contracted position.
Job Description
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Command fire department resources on all types of emergencies, including the most complex fires, rescues, and hazardous materials incidents.
• Develop, update, recommend, and implement Departmental policies.
• Plan, organize, schedule, and conduct fire training.
• Develop specifications and assist in the procurement of emergency apparatus and equipment.
• Assist in site selection and design of Fire Department facilities.
• Research and assist in design of Department dispatch, communications, and computer systems.
• Supervise the maintenance of departmental administrative, inspection, training, and safety records.
• Coordinate specialized skills such as hazardous materials, aircraft rescue firefighting, rescue, emergency medical services, and critical incident stress.
• Serve as Fire Department Health and Safety Officer; supervise and coordinate station duties and assignments.
• Supervise and evaluate assigned staff.
• Oversee all operational specialty teams (Rescue, HazMat, Critical Incident Stress Debrief (CISD), and SCBA.
• Provide fire information and public safety education.
• Provide input into fire code and safety inspections, building plan checks, environmental reviews, fire suppression water system design, and pre-fire planning.
• Oversee the coordination and implementation of in-service training.
• Supervise and coordinate volunteer personnel.
• Coordinate Fire Department activities with other city, county, state, and federal agencies.
• Develop and manage assigned budget.
• Coordinate the maintenance of fire department vehicles, facilities, communications, and other capital and infrastructure items.
• Cultivate good community relations by working with civic, fraternal and other community groups.
• Recommend appropriate disciplinary action when necessary.
• May be subject to emergency recall during non-working hours.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Standards, principles, practices, and procedures of modern fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue, and hazardous materials response and organization;
• Operation and maintenance of fire and rescue apparatus;
• Geography, demographics, building types, water supply, and special hazards in the City of Chico;
• Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and codes pertaining to fire prevention, emergency services, and worker safety standards;
• Methods and techniques of fire service training;
• Operation and maintenance of fire and rescue apparatus and equipment;
• Principles and practices of public administration including organization, fiscal affairs, and personnel management;
• Basic computer applications;
• Various fire apparatus or command vehicles, fire pumps, personal protective equipment, hoses and other standard firefighting equipment, hazardous materials response, and rescue equipment, ladders, emergency medical equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, phone.

Ability to:

• Efficiently and effectively utilize personnel, equipment, and apparatus in routine and emergency situations;
• Develop and implement training and fire safety and prevention programs; maintain and improve discipline and morale;
• Receive respect and support of subordinates; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with other City staff, other agencies, the media, and the general public;

EDUCATION AND EXEPRIENCE:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education:
Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in Fire Administration, Fire Protection Engineering, or a related field, supplemented by substantial professional education including all course work for State Board of Fire Services Chief Officer Certification or Chief Fire Officer (CFO) from the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) or Executive Fire Officer (EFO) from the National Fire Academy (NFA).
Experience:
Seven years of increasingly responsible experience in fire prevention, fire suppression, or fire training including at least two years experience performing duties similar to a Fire Captain or Battalion Chief preferably in a municipal fire department.
Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License.
• Current first aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certification per CCR 1797.182.
• Certification at the Hazardous Materials First Responder-Operational level.

Additional Information
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, sometimes on uneven surfaces; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl in confined spaces; and taste or smell.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 175 pounds or more with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Environmental Conditions
Work is performed mostly in an office, vehicles, and outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, and during day and night. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individuals may be exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils, and combating hazardous materials emergencies.
The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and loud at an em
The City of Chico offers a wide range of employee benefits. Benefits are subject to negotiations with employee organizations and may vary with individual bargaining units. For a summary of benefits, please visit the City of Chico website at:
01
Describe your professional career progression to this point. Include the key assignments, leadership roles, operational experiences, and accomplishments that have prepared you for the position of Deputy Fire Chief. Please keep response to 500 words
02
Describe the steps you have taken to prepare yourself for senior leadership within the fire service. Include formal education, certifications, professional development, specialized training, mentorship, significant experiences, and influential books, authors, or leadership resources that have shaped your growth as a leader. Please keep response to 500 words.
03
Describe your leadership philosophy, including how it was developed and refined throughout your career. Provide specific examples of how you have exemplified the leadership qualities, organizational values, and professional attributes necessary to successfully serve as Deputy Fire Chief within a high-performing, forward-thinking, and industry-leading fire service organization. Please keep response to 500 words.
04
Discuss defining career moments, significant challenges, difficult decisions, or setbacks that have meaningfully influenced your leadership approach, decision-making, and perspective on public service leadership. Candidates are encouraged to reflect on lessons learned throughout their career, including experiences that required personal accountability, adaptability, humility, or growth. Describe how those experiences shaped you as a leader and influenced the way you lead, mentor, and serve others today. Please keep response to 500 words.
Required Question