1

Fire Chief Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

LAFCO Executive Officer

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$158 - $192/hr

Successfully navigate complex and high-profile initiatives, such as potential fire district reorganizations, pending annexations, and special district consolidation efforts * Advise the Commission on ...

LAFCO Executive Officer

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$158K - $192K/yr

Successfully navigate complex and high-profile initiatives, such as potential fire district reorganizations, pending annexations, and special district consolidation efforts * Advise the Commission on ...

Showing results 21-26

Fire Chief information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$33.9K

$115.4K

$200K

How much do fire chief jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire chief in Santa Rosa, CA is $115,370.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,200.00 and $135,500.00 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 are the most commonly searched types of Fire Chief jobs in Santa Rosa, CA?

The most popular types of Fire Chief jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Fire Chief job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,370 per year, or $55.5 per hour.

Public Safety Dispatcher - Lateral (Full-Time and Part-Time)

City of Petaluma

Petaluma, CA • On-site

$78K - $94K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Summary/Class Characteristics Public Safety Dispatcher - Lateral (Full-Time and Part-Time) This recruitment is for Lateral Public Safety Dispatcher (Full-Time and Part-Time) with prior experience only. To be considered for this recruitment, candidates must have at least one year of dispatcher experience and have completed a California POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course. Full-Time positions receive benefits and are represented.

Part-Time positions are not allocated, are unrepresented and do not receive benefits. Part-Time Dispatchers are required to work a minimum of 20 hours per month, and cannot exceed 29 hours per week. The current base salary range for Public Safety Dispatcher is: $78,041.60 - $94,952.00 annually (+2% COLA in July 2027) Special Pays as a Full-Time Public Safety Dispatcher: Uniform Allowance: $260 annually POST Dispatcher Certificate Pay: 3% for POST Intermediate Dispatcher Certificate, 5% for POST Advanced Dispatcher Certificate

Bilingual Pay: up to $200 per month Public Safety Dispatcher Trainer: 5% as assigned Shift Differential: 3% if assigned to swing shift, 5% if assigned to graveyard shift Longevity Pay: 5% after 15 years of service with the City Benefits as a Full-Time Public Safety Dispatcher: CalPERS Retirement: 2% at 60 for "classic" members, 2% at 62 for new members. CalPERS Health Program: City pays 95% of Bay Area Kaiser rate premium for employee and eligible dependents Dental/Vision/Life/LTD Insurance: paid 100% by City Sick Leave: earn 96 hours per year with unlimited accrual Compensatory Time Off Bank: earn hours at 1.5 times actual hours worked up to 240 hours Vacation Time: earn 80-200 hours per year depending on years of service Cash in Lieu of Medical/Dental Benefits: receive 50% of Kaiser Bay Area premium and Dental premium as cash payment (with proof of other insurance for employee and eligible dependents) Employee Assistance Program: Support and benefits, for you & eligible family members, paid for by the City Wellness Benefit: $500 annual allowance (subject to the annual budget approval process and may change in the future) Paid Parental Leave - up to 8 weeks of paid time for qualifying family bonding For more information regarding the benefits associated with the full-time position, please visit our website and look at the Unit 6 MOU and Employee Benefits. The Petaluma Police Department Petaluma Police Department is dedicated to providing the best law enforcement services to the community and it prides itself on community involved programs

Petaluma has a population of approximately 61,000 and encompasses nearly 14 square miles situated 40 miles north of San Francisco Bay Area on U.S. 101, and 30 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. The Police Department staffing includes 84.5 full time employees, including one Chief, one Deputy Chief, four Lieutenants, one Technical Services Manager, nine Sergeants, fifty Officers, and other support staff, including the Communications Unit (Dispatch)

In addition, the department has K-9 Officers, Traffic Unit, Motorcycle Patrol, SWAT Team, Investigations Unit, and Reserve Community Service Officer Program (Volunteer). The Petaluma Police Department is proactive in Community Oriented Policing Philosophy. The Petaluma Police Department is a member of the Sonoma County consortium which uses a shared CAD/RMS system.

Full Time Dispatchers typically work a 4/10 schedule (4 days per week/10 hours per day) or 4 days per week/3 twelve-hour days and 1 4-hour day depending on staffing levels. Duties The duties, skills, and demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential duties, skills, and demands.

Receive 911 emergency and non-emergency calls for service; evaluate the nature of the emergency; enter information into computer terminals; determine appropriate response level, priority and type of resources required, dispatch police, fire, and medical personnel and equipment; update and monitor information related to the event. Monitor radio traffic and request for services, relay information and/or instructions to personnel, work with other agencies and coordinate mutual response radio traffic. Maintain records of calls for service using the computer aided dispatch system; maintain and access business and premise history files for emergency and other necessary contacts.

Process and enter citations into the records management system and perform related clerical duties. Operate in-house and radio paging systems. Monitor closed-circuit security cameras.

Assist citizens at the Police Station after business hours. Coordinate responses to after hour emergency calls for City services. May provide new employees with an orientation to City dispatch procedures and services.

May be required to provide court testimony. Perform related duties as assigned. Qualifications Knowledge of: Modern office practices and procedures, computers, and software applications.

Proper English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Alphabetic, chronological, and numeric filing systems. Effective communication techniques.

Community resources. City and surrounding geography. Education and Experience Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying.

A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be: Education: Equivalent to graduation from high school. Related college course work desirable. Experience: One (1) year of experience in public safety and/or fire dispatching in a 911 center is required.

Physical Demands and Working Environment While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use the computer keyboard and mouse, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear; stand, walk, and stoop, or crouch. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The employee will work in an office environment where the noise level is usually moderate.