Chief Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Definition ANNOUNCEMENT OF A CLOSED PROMOTIONAL RECRUITMENT Assistant Chief/Director of Fire Prevention The Santa Clara County Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division is dedicated to saving lives and protecting property across the communities we serve. The division provides essential plan review and inspection services for all new construction within the District, contract cities, and unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. Additionally, the team inspects existing facilities to ensure compliance with all applicable codes and standards regarding building construction, fire/life safety systems, and hazardous materials management.

The Department is currently seeking a highly qualified leader for the position of Assistant Chief/Director of Fire Prevention. The incumbent will be a strong communicator and collaborator who values cultivating and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Serving as the Fire Marshal (or civilian Fire Marshal), the Assistant Chief/Director of Fire Prevention acts as the principal technical authority on fire, life safety, and environmental hazards.

This executive role is responsible for enforcing state, county, and local fire and building codes, while overseeing architectural plan review, engineering compliance, and specialized hazardous materials programs. The ideal candidate will also provide strategic, high-level professional support to the department's executive leadership team. Distinguishing Characteristics The Assistant Chief/Director of Fire Prevention is an executive management position responsible for the oversight of a team of approximately 30 Fire Prevention employees in numerous areas of responsibility including plan review, inspections, hazardous materials and investigations, the County Fire Marshal's Office, and administration.

*Placement into the Assistant Chief or Director of Fire Prevention classification is dependent on qualifications. In order to be placed in the Assistant Chief classification, the selected candidate must qualify as a local firefighter under section 20433 or 20434.5 of the California Public Employment Retirement Law at the time of appointment, will receive retirement benefits applicable to Safety members, and will be required to perform additional safety duties/functions. Otherwise, the selected candidate will be placed in the Director of Fire Prevention classification and will receive retirement benefits applicable to Miscellaneous members

The Assistant Chief monthly compensation range is $21,736.90- $26,421.35* The Director of Fire Prevention monthly compensation range is $21,084.25- $25,628.03 *The higher compensation of the Assistant Chief classification is the result of additional safety duties/functions required of incumbents in the Assistant Chief classification. Under general direction, the Assistant Chief/Director of Fire Prevention serves as a key member of the Department's administrative management team, and acts on behalf of the Fire Chief and/or Deputy Fire Chiefs, as required, in support of the overall objectives of the Department. Examples of Duties Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following: Manage the day-to-day operation of the Fire Prevention Division's various programs and determine objectives consistent with established goals, including management of division staff, and other resources of division in the performance of their duties to achieve an acceptable level of service; monitor work flow; review and evaluate work product, methods, and procedures

Ensure that assigned division goals and objectives are accomplished through: supervising and coordinating staff efforts; developing and implementing procedures and work plans; and reviewing and evaluating assigned division performance. Develop, monitor and review the division's budget. Ensure fiscal soundness of the division by working with the Administrative Staff to develop, justify and administer the division's capital and operating budgets, including analyzing expenses and establishing rates and fees to cover costs, where applicable; assist in the preparation and administration of the Department's improvement goals.

Participate in the strategic planning for the division. Assist in the development, review, evaluation, interpretation, and enforcement of Department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations. Schedule, train, supervise, coordinate, oversee, and evaluate the work of assigned employees.

Develop, plan, schedule, and coordinate assigned division programs; assess needs and oversee and ensure quality of those program activities; and ensure accurate completion and maintenance of all required records related to assigned programs. Make selections, approve training and performance evaluation of personnel; work with employees to correct deficiencies; when necessary, initiate personnel actions such as promotions, transfers, discharges and disciplinary actions. Represent the Department through public presentations and hearings; state, regional, County, or inter-agency committees; and cooperative programs.

Exercise sound judgement and reasonable flexibility to resolve disputes, technical complaints, appeals, or code disagreements that develop between field staff (DFM), developers and the general public. If suppression-qualified, function on emergency overhead teams during major incidents; may assume command at emergency incidents and direct operations; may determine strategy, deploy apparatus, and direct Department personnel in controlling the emergency and minimizing the loss of life and property. If suppression-qualified, may be assigned on-call duty on a rotational basis.

May temporarily assume duties of the Deputy Fire Chief in their absence. Employment Standards Please refer to the applicable Assistant Chief or Director of Fire Prevention job specification for information on the education, experience, knowledge, skill, and ability requirements for the position. Required License: Possession of a valid, appropriate state of California driver's license.

THE APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS Please visit the Santa Clara County Fire Department employment opportunity website portal (www.sccfd.org), then select "Employment & Careers," then "Current Openings." Click on the appropriate job posting, then click the "Apply" button. If you have not previously done so, you will need to complete a user profile. Please complete all steps of the application portal, and upload a letter of interest and resume where indicated

The submission must be completed by 12:00pm on Monday, August 10, 2026. Incomplete or late submittals will not be accepted or considered. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Based upon a review of the application submissions, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the selection process which will include an in-person oral board interview and a writing exercise, which are scheduled to take place on August 26, 2026. After the initial interview, candidates who are selected to proceed in the process will be invited to an in-person selection interview, which will tentatively take place the week of September 7 or September 14, 2026. Please note: these dates are subject to change.

If you have questions regarding the position of Assistant Chief/Director of Fire Prevention or the application and selection process outlined herein, please contact Personnel Services at (408) 341-4343 or via email at recruitment@sccfd.org. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process should advise Personnel Services upon submittal of application

Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request. The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.