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Fire Chief Jobs in Renton, WA (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Chief of Police The Assistant Police Chief is a non-civil service appointed position and reports to the Chief of Police. The Assistant Chief will assist in the planning and administration ...

Assistant Chief of Police The Assistant Police Chief is a non-civil service appointed position and reports to the Chief of Police. The Assistant Chief will assist in the planning and administration ...

Assistant Chief of Police

Fife, WA · On-site

$120K - $193K/yr

The Assistant Chief will assist in the planning and administration of the Police Department, as well as its policies and operations. One of two assistant chief positions is open. The selected ...

The Assistant Chief will assist in the planning and administration of the Police Department, as well as its policies and operations. One of two assistant chief positions is open. The selected ...

The President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the chief executive and general manager of Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region, accountable to the Board of Directors for the overall ...

Job Summary In partnership with the entire Asset Services Team, the Chief Building Engineer will ... Demonstrated working knowledge of typical office building systems (e.g. mechanical, fire and life ...

Showing results 41-60

Fire Chief information

See Renton, WA salary details

$34.9K

$118.8K

$205.8K

How much do fire chief jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire chief in Renton, WA is $118,756.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,700.00 and $139,500.00 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.

What job categories do people searching Fire Chief jobs in Renton, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Fire Chief jobs in Renton, WA are:

What cities near Renton, WA are hiring for Fire Chief jobs?

Cities near Renton, WA with the most Fire Chief job openings:

Infographic showing various Fire Chief job openings in Renton, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $118,756 per year, or $57.1 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

Assistant Chief of Police

The Assistant Police Chief is a non-civil service appointed position and reports to the Chief of Police. The Assistant Chief will assist in the planning and administration of the Police Department, as well as its policies and operations. One of two assistant chief positions is open.

The selected candidate will work closely with the Chief of Police and may assume full authority and responsibility for the department in the Chief's absence in rotation with the other assistant chief. They will be responsible for developing and maintaining a work environment that fosters leadership, integrity, and accountability.

The selected candidate will directly supervise, in coordination with the Chief of Police, either the administrative services division or the police operations division, and will coordinate with the respective supervisors in planning, organizing, and directing the work of their teams. Either assistant chief may be assigned a role in emergency planning/management role for the city.

The Fife Police Department is seeking a strong, decisive individual who demonstrates a clear command presence balanced with well-developed interpersonal skills. Given the unique nature of the department, the Assistant Chief of Police must place a high premium on customer service.

The successful candidate will lead by example, setting the tone of honest, ethical behavior, demonstrating integrity beyond reproach. The Fife Police Department plays an integral role in the daily operations of the City of Fife. They must be a consensus builder who can easily and comfortably interact with a variety of constituencies and partner agencies. The Assistant Chief of Police must be able to function effectively in a very public role within the broader framework of a multi-faceted political environment. They must be able to quickly identify the appropriate opportunities to provide input from their perspective as the department's representative and be able to articulate their points in a concise and efficient manner.

The Assistant Chief of Police must be a good listener, skilled communicator, and team builder. They will represent the department on a variety of internal and external panels and coalitions. The Assistant Chief of Police must be a proactive and energetic participant in these endeavors, and provide strategic input from the department's perspective, as well as from the City's broader perspective. Must be a highly skilled leader and manager of people.

As one of the senior leaders within the department, they will partner with the Chief of Police in driving change and continuous improvement. They must have the ability to identify and analyze issues, prioritize tasks, and develop alternative solutions, as well as evaluate courses of action and reach logical conclusions. The Assistant Chief of Police must be able to handle personnel issues in a timely, fair and consistent manner and generate a feeling of inclusiveness and genuine respect for others throughout the department.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to be able to perform the functions of the position:

  • Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, Public Administration, or related field, with a graduate degree preferred. Graduation from the FBI National Academy, Northwestern School of Staff & Command, Senior Management Institute for Policing or similar law enforcement leadership institution is preferred.
  • Seven years of progressive law enforcement experience including three years of demonstrated supervisory experience, at the time of appointment, in a law enforcement agency of comparable or larger size and complexity to the Fife Police Department.
  • The ability to obtain certification as a Washington State Peace Officer.
  • Successful completion of a comprehensive background check including polygraph and psychological examination.
  • Candidates that have been out of active law enforcement for more than two years will not be considered for this position.

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