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Fire Chief Jobs in Modesto, CA (NOW HIRING)

Undisclosed

Fire Battalion Chief

Patterson, CA · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Fire Battalion Chief Annual Salary: $128,352.48 $156,013.20 The City of Patterson's Fire Department is seeking to fill the position of Fire Battalion Chief. The Fire Battalion Chief is responsible ...

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City of Livingston (CA)

Fire Captain

Livingston, CA

$71K - $105K/yr

General supervision from the Fire Battalion Chief or higher-level Fire Department staff. Exercised: Direct supervision over Fire Lieutenants, Firefighters, and extra-help or volunteer personnel as ...

City of Livingston, CA

Fire Captain

Livingston, CA · On-site

$71K - $105K/yr

General supervision from the Fire Battalion Chief or higher-level Fire Department staff. Exercised: Direct supervision over Fire Lieutenants, Firefighters, and extra-help or volunteer personnel as ...

Sierra Conservation Center

Associate Warden

Jamestown, CA · On-site

$13K - $15K/mo

The position directly supervises the Correctional Plant Manager II, Correctional Business Manager I, Institution Personnel Officer, Fire Chief, and an Office Technician. Additionally, this position ...

City of Merced

Fire Captain I/II

Merced, CA · On-site

$72K - $97K/yr

REPORTS TO Fire Battalion Chief or higher-ranking officer. CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED Firefighter, Fire Engineer. Examples of Duties REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES The following duties are typical for this ...

BEAM Circular

Chief Operating Officer

Modesto, CA · On-site

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as BEAM Circular's senior internal leader and organizational integrator. The COO is responsible for translating BEAM's strategy into effective execution by ...

CUES TRAINING FACILITY

Chief Growth Officer

Modesto, CA · On-site

$250/hr

Chief Growth Officer Valley First Credit Union Modesto , CA USA Position Description Lead Growth Strategy. Strengthen Member Relationships. Make Good Happen. Do You Belong Here? Valley First Credit ...

BEAM Circular

Chief Operating Officer

Modesto, CA · On-site

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as BEAM Circular's senior internal leader and organizational integrator. The COO is responsible for translating BEAM's strategy into effective execution by ...

BEAM Circular

Chief Operating Officer

Modesto, CA

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as BEAM Circular's senior internal leader and organizational integrator. The COO is responsible for translating BEAM's strategy into effective execution by ...

Ayres Hotels

Maintenance Engineer

Empire, CA · On-site

Perform duties assigned by Chief Engineer or hotel management staff, including completing tasks ... Determine the exact cause and location of any fire alarms and communicate finding with management ...

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All JobsFire Chief JobsFire Chief Jobs in Modesto, CA

Fire Chief information

See Modesto, CA salary details

$32.7K

$111.4K

$193.1K

How much do fire chief jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire chief in Modesto, CA is $111,384.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,300.00 and $130,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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.

More about Fire Chief jobs

What are popular job titles related to Fire Chief jobs in Modesto, CA?

For Fire Chief jobs in Modesto, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Fire Chief jobs in Modesto, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Fire Chief jobs in Modesto, CA are:

What cities near Modesto, CA are hiring for Fire Chief jobs?

Cities near Modesto, CA with the most Fire Chief job openings:

Fire Chief jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fire Chief job openings in Modesto, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,384 per year, or $53.5 per hour.

Fire Battalion Chief

Undisclosed

Patterson, CA • On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Other

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

Fire Battalion Chief

Annual Salary: $128,352.48 $156,013.20

The City of Patterson's Fire Department is seeking to fill the position of Fire Battalion Chief. The Fire Battalion Chief is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and supervising the daily operations of the assigned division(s), or shift, including serving as on-scene incident commander, directing emergency response operations for all incident types, and exercising sound judgment and independent decision-making in accordance with established organizational policies and procedures.

The Fire Battalion Chief for the City of Patterson will respond to emergency incidents for both suppression and evaluation; commands the firefighting activities of fire companies in response to all emergency incidents; serves as Duty Officer for assigned shifts; performs a full range of administrative duties and tasks; develops, implements, and monitors all training activities and requirements; performs related duties as required and special projects assigned.

The ideal candidate leads by example; is a positive influencer and creates a sense of unity through a shared common vision; and by fostering trust, credibility, collaboration, and teamwork. Possesses a strong command presence with excellent verbal, written communication, listening, interpersonal and administrative skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Associate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in fire science, fire administration, business or public administration, or a related field; Bachelors degree is highly desirable. Completion of all courses of the California State Board of Fire Services Chief Fire Officerseries.
  • Six (6) years of increasingly responsible full-time, career fire suppression and fire prevention experience in a professionally recognized fire agency; four (4) years of Company Officer experience equivalent to that of a Fire Captain with the City of Patterson.

Deadline to apply: September 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Tentative Recruitment Schedule
  • Assessments and Presentation - October 22, 2026
  • Fire Chief's Interview - November 4, 2026
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