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Fire Chief Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Ideal candidate is former Air Force Fire Chief with Headquarters staff experience and deep expertise in F&ES operations. What You'll Do: * Connect DAF policy, HQ USSF priorities, and installation ...

Former Air Force Fire Chief or senior F&ES leader with headquarters level experience. * DAF Policy & Compliance Knowledge -- Understanding of DAF fire protection standards, NDAA mandates, and ...

New

Fire Medic

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$71K - $120K/yr

Fire Division: Fire Operations Opening Date: 01/22/2025 Closing Date: Continuous Description The ... Work is evaluated by an officer with input from an EMS lieutenant and reviewed by a battalion chief.

Fire Medic

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$71K - $120K/yr

Work is evaluated by an officer with input from an EMS lieutenant and reviewed by a battalion chief ... Responds to fire alarms and other emergency incidents, controls and extinguishes fires, protects ...

Fire Medic Underfills positions allow the department to hire firefighters who may not possess all ... Work is evaluated by an officer with review by a battalion chief. Examples Of Duties The functions ...

Fire Medic Underfill

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$65K - $110K/yr

Fire Division: Fire Operations Opening Date: 06/13/2026 Closing Date: Continuous Description The ... Work is evaluated by an officer with review by a battalion chief. Examples Of Duties The functions ...

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

Chief Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$110 - $160/hr

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

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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Fire Chief information

See Reston, VA salary details

$32.8K

$111.6K

$193.4K

How much do fire chief jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire chief in Reston, VA is $111,577.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,400.00 and $131,000.00 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 are popular job titles related to Fire Chief jobs in Reston, VA?

For Fire Chief jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Fire Chief jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Fire Chief jobs in Reston, VA are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Fire Chief jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Fire Chief job openings:

Infographic showing various Fire Chief job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,577 per year, or $53.6 per hour.

Supervisory Fire Chief

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$102K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Provides operational oversight and supervisory management for the NIST Fire Protection and Emergency Response Program. Serves as a lead official in directing responses to emergency medical, fire, and hazardous materials incidents, ensuring tactical objectives are met.Qualifications:This position requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 (ZA-2 at NIST) level. Specialized experience is defined as experience serving as a primary operational authority or program lead in fire and hazardous materials (hazmat) protection and prevention. This includes independently planning, developing, executing, and evaluating a comprehensive facility- or agency-wide fire and hazmat protection program; applying complex principles, standards, and regulatory procedures to mitigate fire and hazardous material risks; directing and coordinating incident response actions within an established Incident Command System (ICS) structure during complex emergency situations; and performing advanced fire emergency, suppression, and tactical functions in high-risk operational environments.
IN ADDITION, the applicant MUST be able to meet the following selective placement factor (Screen out): Skill in providing basic life support and emergency medical care as evidenced by a valid Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, EMT-B certificate.
To be considered for the position, applicants are required to provide the following certifications:
1. Certification in firefighter 2
2. Maryland Emergency Medical Technician -B Certification
3. Hazmat operations
4. Class B Driver's License/ Equivalent
5. Fire Inspector III
6. Fire Officer IV
Resume should indicate the following trainings have been completed:
HAZMAT Technichian
HAZMAT Incident Commander training
ICS 100
ICS 200
ICS 300
ICS 400
IS 700
IS 800
Must attach certification at time of application to be considered for the position.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.
If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site:
Applicant ReconsiderationEducation:Qualifications are based upon meeting specialized experience only. Education cannot be used to qualify for this position.
Employment Type: OTHER