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Assistant Fire Chief Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Pasadena

Fire Chief

Pasadena, TX · On-site

Provides leadership, supervision, and professional development for Assistant Fire Chiefs, officers, volunteer personnel, and EMS leadership. Leads one of the nation's largest volunteer fire ...

City of Pasadena

Fire Chief

Pasadena, TX · On-site

Provides leadership, supervision, and professional development for Assistant Fire Chiefs, officers, volunteer personnel, and EMS leadership. Leads one of the nation's largest volunteer fire ...

City of Pasadena

Fire Chief

Pasadena, TX

Provides leadership, supervision, and professional development for Assistant Fire Chiefs, officers, volunteer personnel, and EMS leadership. Leads one of the nation's largest volunteer fire ...

City of Evanston

Fire Chief

Evanston, IL · On-site

$170K - $256K/yr

... Assistant Chief, Fire Chief, or an equivalent executive leadership position. Certifications & Credentials Illinois OSFM Advanced Fire Officer certification (or equivalent credential), or the ability ...

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 ...

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 ...

City of Evanston

Fire Chief

Evanston, IL · On-site

$170K - $256K/yr

... Assistant Chief, Fire Chief, or an equivalent executive leadership position. Certifications & Credentials Illinois OSFM Advanced Fire Officer certification (or equivalent credential), or the ability ...

City of Cocoa

District Fire Chief

Cocoa, FL

$87K/yr

Responsibilities involve assisting the Fire Chief and/or Assistant Chief or designee in planning, organizing and directing Fire Department personnel. The District Chief must be familiar with the ...

City of Homer Alaska

Deputy Fire Chief

Homer, AK · On-site

$40.88 - $46.98/hr

Fire Chief, Dan Jager (907) 235-3155 or GENERAL FUNCTIONS Assists the Fire Chief with managing and ... to assist in emergency service activities. EXTERNAL VISIBILITY/CONTACT High frequency of contact ...

City of Homer Alaska

Deputy Fire Chief

Homer, AK · On-site

Fire Chief, Dan Jager (907) 235-3155 or djager@ci.homer.ak.us GENERAL FUNCTIONS Assists the Fire ... to assist in emergency service activities. EXTERNAL VISIBILITY/CONTACT High frequency of contact ...

City of Cocoa, FL

District Fire Chief

Cocoa, FL · On-site

$87K/yr

On a daily basis, will assist the Fire Chief and/or Assistant Chief or designee in any and all Fire Department duties assigned to him by the Fire Chief and/or Assistant Chief or designee. * Shall be ...

City of Homer Alaska

Deputy Fire Chief

Homer, AK · On-site

$40.88 - $46.98/hr

Fire Chief, Dan Jager(907) 235-3155 or djager@ci.homer.ak.usGENERAL FUNCTIONSAssists the Fire Chief ... to assist in emergency service activities. EXTERNAL VISIBILITY/CONTACTHigh frequency of contact ...

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Assistant Fire Chief information

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$33K

$85.9K

$156.5K

How much do assistant fire chief jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 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 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.
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:
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What states have the most Assistant Fire Chief jobs? States with the most job openings for Assistant Fire Chief jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Assistant Fire Chief jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Assistant Fire Chief jobs are:
Assistant Fire Chief jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Fire Chief job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. 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.

Fire Chief

City of Pasadena

Pasadena, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Duties The Fire Chief provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and overall management of one of the nation's largest all-volunteer fire departments. The position oversees fire suppression and rescue operations, ensures a high level of operational readiness, and provides leadership in developing personnel, supporting volunteer recruitment and retention, managing department resources, and ensuring compliance with applicable standards and regulations. The Fire Chief promotes a culture of professionalism, accountability, safety, and service while protecting the lives and property of the community. Provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and overall administration of the Fire Department. Establishes the departmental goals, policies, operational priorities, and long-range strategic initiatives. Plans, directs, and evaluates all fire suppression, emergency response, and support operations. Oversees the duties and responsibilities of the Chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), including EMS operations, personnel, medical response, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and coordination of emergency medical services. Provides leadership, supervision, and professional development for Assistant Fire Chiefs, officers, volunteer personnel, and EMS leadership. Leads one of the nation's largest volunteer fire departments by promoting volunteer recruitment, retention, succession planning, accountability, and organizational excellence. Serves as the principal advisor to City leadership on fire protection, emergency medical services, and public safety matters. Directs the management of staffing, apparatus, emergency vehicles, equipment, facilities, technology, and operational resources to ensure departmental readiness. Develops and administers departmental operating and capital budgets, including capital improvement planning, equipment replacement, purchasing, and grant administration. Oversees firefighter and EMS training, certification, leadership development, safety, and wellness programs to maintain a highly skilled and operationally prepared workforce. Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws; Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) requirements; Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) EMS regulations; National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards; Insurance Services Office (ISO) requirements; State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association (SFFMA) standards; and departmental policies. Represents the department before City leadership, governmental agencies, healthcare partners, community organizations, and regional public safety organizations. Supports fire prevention, emergency medical services, community risk reduction, and public education. Maintains all required certifications, licenses, and qualifications required for the position.
Qualifications: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible fire service experience, including supervisory or command-level experience. Valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record. Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Head of Department Certification. Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Certified Structural Firefighter. Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Advanced Firefighter Certification. PREFERRED: Experience leading or supervising volunteer firefighters is highly desirable. Experience leading a large volunteer fire department. Experience overseeing Emergency Medical Services operations. Experience with municipal budgeting, capital planning, and grant administration. Executive-level fire service leadership training.
The City of Pasadena offers very generous benefits to all full-time employees. For example:
  • Employee-only medical insurance starts as low as $15 per month and the most expensive Employee & Family plan is less than $350 per month.
  • The City has its own medical clinic staffed with a M.D. and two medical assistants. Employees and their covered dependents over the age of 5 can visit the clinic FREE OF CHARGE.
  • Employees and their covered dependents also have access to Virtual Visits with a medical professional FREE OF CHARGE.
  • The City offers college tuition reimbursement of up to $3,500 per year.
  • As an employee, you will contribute a portion of your salary each pay-period towards your retirement and the City will match your contribution by 200%. Example, if you contribute $100, the City will contribute $200.
  • Civilian employees accumulate vacation at the following rates:
    • Less than 6 years of service - two weeks of vacation per year.
    • From 6 to less than 11 years of service - three weeks of vacation per year.
    • From 11 to less than 21 years of service - four weeks of vacation per year.
    • From 21 to less than 26 years of service - five weeks of vacation per year.
    • From 26 years of service and up - six weeks of vacation per year.

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