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Fire Chief Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

City of Independence

Volunteer Fire

Independence, IA · On-site

Fire Chief Status: Paid‑On‑Call FLSA Status: Non‑Exempt Appointments: At‑Will (unless covered under bargaining unit contract) The Role Paid‑On‑Call Firefighters perform fire suppression ...

City of Ankeny Iowa

Fire Inspector

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$84K - $113K/yr

Under the general supervision of the Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction, the Fire Inspector is a uniformed member performing fire prevention, inspection, and code enforcement activities to ...

City of Ankeny, IA

Fire Inspector

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$84K - $113K/yr

Under the general supervision of the Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction, the Fire Inspector is a uniformed member performing fire prevention, inspection, and code enforcement activities to ...

City of Marion

Chief Building Inspector

Marion, IA · On-site

$75K/yr

Chief Building Inspector Position Position Open Until Filled JOB INFORMATION Job Title: Chief ... Coordinate with and support other city departments with regard to enforcement of Fire Code, Zoning ...

City of Marion

Chief Building Inspector

Marion, IA · On-site

Chief Building Inspector Position Position Open Until Filled JOB INFORMATION Job Title: Chief ... Coordinate with and support other city departments with regard to enforcement of Fire Code, Zoning ...

Edgewater

Chief Operating Officer

Johnston, IA · On-site

Reporting to the President & CEO, the COO provides executive leadership for WesleyLife's Communities for Healthy Living, home and community-based services, and enterprise operational standards. This ...

WesleyLife

Chief Operating Officer

Johnston, IA · On-site

Reporting to the President & CEO, the COO provides executive leadership for WesleyLife's Communities for Healthy Living, home and community-based services, and enterprise operational standards. This ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsFire Chief JobsFire Chief Jobs in Iowa

Fire Chief information

See Iowa salary details

$29.1K

$99.2K

$171.9K

How much do fire chief jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire chief in Iowa is $99,165.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,300.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fire chief, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fire Chief, you need extensive knowledge of fire science, emergency management, and leadership, typically supported by experience as a firefighter and advanced certifications like Fire Officer or Fire Chief credentials. Familiarity with incident command systems, fire reporting software, and emergency communication tools is essential. Outstanding decision-making, communication, and team leadership skills help manage personnel and maintain public trust. These competencies are critical for ensuring effective emergency response, firefighter safety, and overall department performance.

What are the typical challenges a fire chief faces when managing both emergency operations and administrative duties?

Fire Chiefs often juggle the demands of leading emergency response efforts while also overseeing administrative responsibilities like budgeting, personnel management, and policy development. Balancing immediate operational needs—such as coordinating teams during fires or disasters—with long-term planning and resource allocation can be challenging. Effective Fire Chiefs foster strong communication within their teams, delegate tasks appropriately, and remain adaptable to rapidly changing scenarios. This dual focus requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and the ability to make quick, informed decisions under pressure.

What is the difference between Fire Chief vs Fire Captain?

AspectFire ChiefFire Captain
CertificationsFire Officer I & II, Incident Command, EMT/ParamedicFirefighter I & II, EMT/Paramedic, Incident Command
Work EnvironmentAdministrative, strategic planning, overseeing entire departmentOn-scene incident management, supervising firefighters
ResponsibilitiesDepartment leadership, policy development, budget managementLeading firefighting teams during emergencies, training

The Fire Chief is responsible for overall department management and strategic planning, while the Fire Captain focuses on on-the-ground incident command and team supervision. Both roles require similar certifications and work in firefighting environments, but differ in scope and leadership level.

What is a fire chief?

Fire Chiefs are the highest-ranking officers in a fire department, responsible for overseeing all operations and administration. They manage personnel, develop policies, coordinate emergency response, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. Fire Chiefs also work with local government, budget resources, and lead public education efforts on fire prevention. Their leadership is crucial in both daily department management and during major emergency incidents.

What does a fire chief do?

A fire chief is a public service officer who oversees the operation of the fire department. As a fire chief, your responsibilities include responding to calls and working as a firefighter, but you are primarily the administrator for the department. Your duties are to train and assess firefighters, set schedules, monitor budgets, make requests for new equipment and fire engines, and ensure that the department is functioning properly. You will also work with local government officials to assess community needs and ensure they are being met.

More about Fire Chief jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Fire Chief jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Fire Chief jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Fire Chief jobs in Iowa? For Fire Chief jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Fire Chief jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Fire Chief jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Fire Chief jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Fire Chief job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Fire Chief jobs in IA? For Fire Chief jobs in IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Fire Chief jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fire Chief job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $99,165 per year, or $47.7 per hour.

Fire Chief

Executive Director - GMP Consultants

Cedar Rapids, IA

$152K - $214K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

My Account
Job Openings >> Fire Chief
Fire Chief
Summary
Title: Fire Chief ID: 1251 Organization: City of Cedar Rapids Location: Cedar Rapids, IA First Review : 07/06/2026
More about this job >
Description

FIRE CHIEF
City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
First Review: July 6, 2026
Salary Range: $152,934 - $214,000 annually DOQ
View the Position Profile
Job Description
Benefits
#    #    #
The City of Cedar Rapids is seeking a Fire Chief for Iowa's second-largest city, a vibrant community of roughly 139,000 residents located in eastern Iowa along the Cedar River. Positioned in the heart of the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City corridor, the city serves as the economic and cultural center for the region. The City spans 72 square miles and operates with a 2027 total budget of $928 million, a General Fund of $179 million, and staffing of over 1,300 people. Incorporated in 1849, the City of Cedar Rapids operates under a Council-Manager form of government. 
THE CEDAR RAPIDS FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Cedar Rapids Fire Department (CRFD) has proudly served the residents, businesses, and visitors of Cedar Rapids since 1869. CRFD is an all-hazards department comprised of 149 full-time personnel responding from nine stations. The Department operates with an annual budget of $26 million and is headquartered in a 67,140-square-foot Central Fire Station built in 2013. In 2025, CRFD responded to 16,310 calls for service. 
Operations include primary fire protection and response, non-transport paramedic-level emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, water and ice rescue, confined space rescue, low- and high-angle rope rescue, trench rescue, and urban search and rescue capabilities. All personnel are certified at a minimum EMT level, and 63 personnel are certified paramedics.  
WHY APPLY 
The next Fire Chief of the Cedar Rapids Fire Department will join a progressive, nationally respected organization with a strong culture, engaged workforce, and deep community support. As Iowa's second-largest fire department and a two-time accredited agency, Cedar Rapids Fire Department prides itself on professionalism, innovation, and regional leadership in emergency services. The Department operates advanced specialty teams, has a respected USAR program, and maintains a strong labor-management relationship. The organization is trending upward with a young and energized leadership team, supportive City leadership, and a community that values public safety and collaboration. The next Chief will have the opportunity to build upon this momentum and help shape the Department's future. 
For questions on this position, please contact:
Gordie Olson
GMP Consultants
golson@gmphr.com
720) 518-7420
 
Apply Now
 
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