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Fire Chief Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

US Department of the Navy

FIRE CHIEF

Millington, TN · On-site

$89K/yr

You will serve as a FIRE CHIEF in the Fire and Emergency Services Department at various CNRSE installations.Qualifications:Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of Specialized experience at ...

New

CNIC Careers

FIRE CHIEF

Millington, TN · On-site

$89K/yr

You will serve as a FIRE CHIEF in the Fire and Emergency Services Department at various CNRSE installations.Qualifications:Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of Specialized experience at ...

New

City of Franklin

Fiscal Manager

Franklin, TN · On-site

$87K - $95K/yr

Purpose of Job Under limited supervision of the Fire Chief, administers financial management of the Franklin Fire Department and provides financial analysis as needed. II. Essential Job Duties A.

Cushman & Wakefield

Chief Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

Job Title Chief Engineer Summary POSITION SUMMARY Chief Engineer is responsible for the effective ... Oversee all building systems including fire/life safety, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical issues ...

Cushman & Wakefield

Chief Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

Job Title Chief Engineer Summary POSITION SUMMARY Chief Engineer is responsible for the effective ... Oversee all building systems including fire/life safety, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical issues ...

Cushman & Wakefield

Chief Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

Job Title Chief Engineer Summary POSITION SUMMARY Chief Engineer is responsible for the effective ... Oversee all building systems including fire/life safety, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical issues ...

Cushman & Wakefield

Chief Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

Job Title Chief Engineer Summary POSITION SUMMARY Chief Engineer is responsible for the effective ... fire/life safety, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical issues; must remain current with latest HVAC ...

Cushman & Wakefield

Chief Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

Job Title Chief Engineer Summary POSITION SUMMARY Chief Engineer is responsible for the effective ... Oversee all building systems including fire/life safety, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical issues ...

Bozzuto

Chief Engineer

Nashville, TN

As the Chief Engineer, you will function as the hands on supervisor while ensuring that the onsite ... fire protection/sprinkler systems, plumbing - sewer mains/clean out drains/structural building ...

Ironsmith Fire LLC

Lead Designer

La Vergne, TN · On-site

... Chief of Design and Engineering (CDE) who is in charge of the Engineering Department's processes and procedures. OBJECTIVES * Embrace the Ironsmith Fire slogan of "OLD SCHOOL GRIT, NEW AGE EDGE"

JLL

Chief Engineer

Nashville, TN

Chief Engineer - JLL What this job involves: JLL is seeking an experienced and hands-on Chief ... fire safety credentials. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM Compensation: $95,000 ...

Bozzuto

Roving Chief Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

As the Chief Engineer, you will function as the hands on supervisor while ensuring that the onsite ... fire protection/sprinkler systems, plumbing - sewer mains/clean out drains/structural building ...

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All JobsFire Chief JobsFire Chief Jobs in Tennessee

Fire Chief information

See Tennessee salary details

$28.1K

$95.8K

$166.1K

How much do fire chief jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire chief in Tennessee is $95,823.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,800.00 and $112,500.00 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 Tennessee? The most popular types of Fire Chief jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Fire Chief jobs in Tennessee? For Fire Chief jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Fire Chief jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Fire Chief jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Fire Chief jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Fire Chief job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Fire Chief jobs in TN? For Fire Chief jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Fire Chief jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fire Chief job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,823 per year, or $46.1 per hour.

FIRE CHIEF

US Department of the Navy

Millington, TN • On-site

$89K/yr

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New

United States Navy rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 379 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 49 rated military and defense

Job description

You will serve as a FIRE CHIEF in the Fire and Emergency Services Department at various CNRSE installations.Qualifications:Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of Specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Managing a Fire & Emergency Services program 2) Providing assistance, advice, and recommendations concerning fire protection/prevention; planning, managing, coordinating, implementing and evaluating fire prevention programs; 3) Administering a fire and emergency services budget; and 4) Reviewing reports, records, codes, and procedures to make suggestions on improvements to firefighting techniques and /or policies.
**NOTE: All experience must be demonstrated in your resume.**
***This position requires the incumbent to possess the following certifications: Fire Officer IV, Fire Inspector II, Fire Instructor II, Hazardous Materials Operations, HAZMAT Incident Commander, and Airport Firefighter, Emergency Vehicle Operators Course, Emergency Responder. These certifications must have been awarded by DoD, IFSAC or ProBoard to meet the requirement. If you do not possess all of the above certifications and you have not attached copies of your certifications, you will be rated ineligible. Do you possess the above certifications?***
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0000/fire-protection-and-prevention-series-0081/
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:This job does not have an education qualification requirement.Employment Type: OTHER

What United States Navy employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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About US Navy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

National security, national security and international affairs, public safety statistics centers and offices, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

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