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Fire Chief Jobs in Springfield, MA (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Comprehensive knowledge of the facilities- HVAC, Fire suppression, Lighting systems and all other systems identified by the Chief and Assistant Chief of Engineering with the ability to operate all ...

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for driving operational excellence, scalability, and innovation across RCN Capital's nationwide private lending platform. As a leading direct lender ...

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Fire Chief information

See Springfield, MA salary details

$30.9K

$105.2K

$182.4K

How much do fire chief jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire chief in Springfield, MA is $105,208.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,700.00 and $123,600.00 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 Springfield, MA?

For Fire Chief jobs in Springfield, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Fire Chief jobs in Springfield, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Fire Chief jobs in Springfield, MA are:

What cities near Springfield, MA are hiring for Fire Chief jobs?

Cities near Springfield, MA with the most Fire Chief job openings:

Infographic showing various Fire Chief job openings in Springfield, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,208 per year, or $50.6 per hour.

Airport Deputy Fire Chief (Military Department)

East Granby, CT • On-site

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

Introduction

\r\nThe State of Connecticut Military Department (CTMD) is accepting applications for a newly created Airport Deputy Fire Chief (Military Department)position, located CTAir National Guard location in East Granby, CT 06026.\r\n\r\n\r\nMission: The Wing's focus is on Air Mobility, a mission that delivers global air transportation of equipment and supplies during times of war and for peacetime training exercises. The Wing provides cargo and passenger airlift, utilizing C-130 Hercules aircraft, one of the true workhorses of the Air National Guard inventory. The Wing's mission includes providing safe and reliable transportation of military personnel, equipment, and supplies to locations spanning the globe.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWHAT WE CAN OFFER:\r\n\r\n\r\n Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!\r\n Professional growth and development opportunities\r\n A healthy work/life balance to all employees\r\n Dedicated employee parking\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPOSITION HIGHLIGHTS:\r\n\r\n\r\n Full-time, First-shift;\r\n Monday - Friday\r\n Hours (to be determined), 40 hrs/wk.\r\n Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation which supports their qualification for this position. Successful completion of a federal background investigation will be required before individuals are certified for permanent appointment to the position.\r\n Intra-state and interstate travel may be required. Valid Driver's license required (REAL ID).\r\n\r\n\r\nABOUT US:\r\n\r\nCTMD is a unique dual-status, having both federal and state missions. The CTMD'S primary public responsibilities are:\r\n\r\n(1) To train, resource and coordinate state emergency response assets, and;\r\n(2) To plan for and protect citizens and their property in times of war, terrorism, invasion, rebellion, riot or disaster.\r\nCTMD is committed to conducting military operations in an environmentally friendly manner and will continue to perform its mission while looking for new ways to reduce pollution-generating activities and to preserve and enhance all of its valuable training lands.\r\n\r\n\r\nNOTE: This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:\r\n\r\nCheck out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.\r\n\r\n\r\nBEFORE YOU APPLY:\r\n\r\n\r\n Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.\r\n \r\n Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.\r\n Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.\r\n Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.\r\n Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing das.shrm@ct.gov.\r\n Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.\r\n Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.\r\n \r\n AFTER YOU APPLY:\r\n \r\n Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."\r\n Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). \r\n Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!\r\n Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.\r\n The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.\r\n Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.\r\n \r\n QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP: Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Human Resources at mil.hr@ct.gov.\r\n Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!\r\n \r\n

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Military Department this class is accountable for directing the day-to-day operational and administrative activities for a staff engaged in firefighting and fire prevention activities and the provision of response services to medical, crash rescue and other emergency and non-emergency situations.\r\n

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

\r\n\r\n Directs day-to-day operational and administrative activities of the department;\r\n Coordinates, plans and manages unit activities;\r\n Formulates operational goals and objectives;\r\n Develops or assists in development of related policy;\r\n Interprets and administers pertinent laws;\r\n Evaluates staff;\r\n Assists in preparation of unit budget and financial planning;\r\n Maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of unit who might impact operational activities;\r\n Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;\r\n Analyzes, plans and directs crew responses to emergency and non-emergency operations including aircraft crash rescue methodologies;\r\n Provides oversight in utilization of Incident Command System to ensure appropriate organization and delegation of duties in emergency situations;\r\n Directs and conducts training in areas related to fire, emergency medical services, crash rescue and other emergency response activities to ensure training objectives are met and certification needs are fulfilled;\r\n Provides instruction and training to firefighting and non-firefighting departmental personnel with respect to fire prevention practices and procedures;\r\n Plans, organizes and directs fire prevention and safety inspection activities including regular fire drills and evaluates effectiveness of practices and procedures;\r\n Provides oversight to contractor construction projects to ensure compliance with fire safety codes;\r\n Directs investigations of fire losses and/or property damage and prepares appropriate fact-finding reports;\r\n Directs maintenance and updating of equipment and plans staffing necessary to carry out operations;\r\n Coordinates activities with federal, state and local fire authorities;\r\n Acts in absence of Installation Fire Chief;\r\n May prepare reports on operations and activities to ensure compliance with national and federal regulations, standards and directives;\r\n Performs related duties as required.\r\n\r\n\r\n

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

\r\n Considerable\r\n knowledge of\r\n \r\n and ability to\r\n apply management principles and practices;\r\n and ability to\r\n implement fire investigation, inspection and prevention methodology and\r\n procedures;\r\n and ability to\r\n evaluate emergency medical services situations and develop effective\r\n courses of actions;\r\n and ability to\r\n implement Incident Command System;\r\n relevant state\r\n and federal laws, statutes and regulations;\r\n firefighting,\r\n fire prevention and crash rescue practices and procedures as applied to\r\n airports and aircraft crash situations;\r\n \r\n Knowledge of\r\n \r\n and ability to\r\n implement training practices and procedures;\r\n relevant\r\n agency policies and procedures;\r\n \r\n Considerable\r\n \r\n interpersonal\r\n skills;\r\n oral and\r\n written communication skills;\r\n \r\n Considerable\r\n ability to prepare detailed reports.\r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of experience as a Firefighter in an organized firefighting service.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at the level of a Fire Captain in an organized firefighting service.\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to candidates with the following experience/training:\r\n\r\n\r\n Fire Officer IV (IFSAC and/or Pro Board accredited)\r\n Fire Instructor II(IFSAC and/or Pro Board accredited)\r\n Fire Inspector III(IFSAC and/or Pro Board accredited)\r\n Hazardous Materials Technician(IFSAC and/or Pro Board accredited)\r\n Hazardous Materials Incident Command(IFSAC and/or Pro Board accredited)\r\n Three years of supervisory or managerial experience in an organized firefighting service\r\n\r\n\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

\r\n Incumbents in\r\n this class must possess and retain a current Motor Vehicle Operator's\r\n license with valid endorsements.\r\n Incumbents in\r\n this class will be required to possess and retain Emergency Medical\r\n Technician (EMT) or EMT - Paramedic certification.\r\n Incumbents in\r\n this class will be required to possess and maintain appropriate security\r\n clearance to access military installations and the respective airfields.\r\n Incumbents in\r\n this class may be required to possess and retain specific education and/or\r\n experience to meet various Department of Defense certification and/or\r\n licensing requirements.\r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.\r\n\r\n

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate will be made before persons are certified for permanent appointment.\r\n

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must have general good health and must retain sufficient strength, stamina, agility and visual and auditory acuity necessary to perform the duties of the class. Candidates may be required to pass a physical examination.\r\n

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER\r\nThe State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.\r\n

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.\r\n

Employment Type: Full-Time