1

Fire Lieutenant Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Fire Lieutenant information

See Colorado salary details

$54.7K

$100.4K

$202.4K

How much do fire lieutenant jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire lieutenant in Colorado is $100,364.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,200.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a fire lieutenant?

Fire Lieutenants are supervisory firefighters who oversee a team of firefighters during emergency responses and daily operations at the fire station. They are responsible for ensuring effective firefighting tactics, enforcing safety protocols, conducting training, and managing equipment readiness. Fire Lieutenants serve as the link between firefighters and higher-ranking officers, making critical decisions during emergencies and assisting with administrative tasks. Their leadership helps maintain order and efficiency within their unit, ensuring the safety of both their team and the public.

What are some common challenges fire lieutenants face when leading their teams during emergency incidents?

Fire Lieutenants often encounter the challenge of making quick, high-stakes decisions while ensuring the safety of both their crew and the public. They must maintain clear communication under pressure, coordinate effectively with other emergency responders, and adapt to rapidly changing situations. Balancing leadership responsibilities with hands-on operational tasks can also be demanding, especially during large-scale incidents where resource allocation and situational awareness are critical.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fire lieutenant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fire Lieutenant, you need extensive firefighting experience, leadership abilities, and typically completion of relevant fire science courses or officer certifications. Familiarity with incident command systems, fire investigation tools, and emergency response software is often required. Strong decision-making, communication, and team management skills set outstanding Fire Lieutenants apart. These competencies ensure effective emergency response, safety of personnel, and successful execution of fireground operations.

What is the difference between Fire Lieutenant vs Fire Captain?

AspectFire LieutenantFire Captain
CertificationsFirefighter certification, EMT/Paramedic license, Fire Officer I/IIFirefighter certification, EMT/Paramedic license, Fire Officer I/II, Fire Officer III/IV (often required)
Work EnvironmentLeading fire crews, supervising daily operations, trainingOverseeing multiple fire crews, managing incident scenes, administrative duties
Employer & IndustryFire departments, emergency servicesFire departments, emergency services
Common Search & ComparisonFire Lieutenant vs Fire Captain

Fire Lieutenants typically supervise fire crews and handle daily operational tasks, while Fire Captains oversee multiple crews and manage larger incidents. Both roles require similar certifications and work in fire departments, but Captains often have broader responsibilities and command authority.

What are popular job titles related to Fire Lieutenant jobs in Colorado?

For Fire Lieutenant jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What are popular job titles related to Fire Lieutenant jobs in CO?

For Fire Lieutenant jobs in CO, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Fire Lieutenant job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $100,364 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

Fire Lieutenant - Fire Plans Examiner/Inspector - Non Shift

Westminster, CO • On-site


City of Westminster, CO

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

97th of 851 rated public administrative organizations

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Respectful managers


$135K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Salary : $135,179.20 Annually
Location : Public Safety Center, CO
Job Type: Full-time Benefited, 40 hours/week (1.0 FTE)
Job Number: 26-00204
Department: Fire
Division: 26 Fire - Administration Division
Opening Date: 08/17/2026
Closing Date: 8/31/2026 8:30 AM Mountain
CITY EQUITY STATEMENT
The City of Westminster welcomes diverse candidates from the broadest base possible. Our goal is to find the best candidate for the job-someone who belongs, not just fits. We value life and professional experiences, recognizing equivalent combinations of knowledge skills and education.
Aligned with our city SPIRIT values, the successful candidate will have a passion and commitment to serving a diverse population of residents and must respect and uphold the principles of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
We encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for this role, even if you believe you have a less traditional background than described we invite you to apply.
POSITION PURPOSE / IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION
The Fire Plans Examiner/Inspector position performs highly skilled technical and administrative work performing plan reviews for technical compliance with fire protection requirements as well as assisting with and/or conducting inspections to verify construction and installation meets the requirements of the approved plans.
This position conducts plan reviews relating to fire alarm, fire sprinkler, commercial hood, and other fire protection systems; it conducts plan reviews for PDP and ODP submittals as well as technical research and assistance relating to applicable codes and standards; it conducts research into the fire code as well as related codes and standards, providing decisions regarding code requirements and making recommendations to the Fire Marshal concerning code questions and industry best practices. This position will also be required to conduct fire inspections of buildings and facilities throughout the City of Westminster; perform fire protection system testing; and follow-up with businesses, citizens and employees regarding technical requirements of the fire code.
This position reports to the Fire Marshal and carries out their work under the direction of the Fire Marshal. This is a safety sensitive position. This is a commissioned Fire Lieutenant - Plans Examiner/Inspector position.
The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage, and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee's level of proficiency and usage.
ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES AND CULTURAL VALUES/GENERAL COMPETENCIES
The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service - People - Integrity - Respect - Innovation - Teamwork).
This position promotes the mission and values of the City of Westminster by supporting the goals of the Fire Department, which is responsible for providing timely emergency response to fire and emergency medical calls; ensuring the safety of personnel, citizens, and visitors to the community; and educating residents and business owners on fire safety, emergency medical prevention and emergency preparedness.
Every employee is accountable to:
  • Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
  • Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
  • Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
  • Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
  • Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty and ethical behavior
  • Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
  • Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility and take calculated risks when appropriate
  • Participate in personal growth opportunities and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
  • Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
  • Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
  • Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences
GENERAL COMPETENCIES
Citywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to:
  • Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
  • Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses and target areas for personal self-development
  • Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
  • Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
  • Achieve goals, handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
  • Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
  • Demonstrate accountability for work and take ownership in job performance
  • Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product
Job Specific - Every employee in this position must be able to:
  • Demonstrate the ability to:
    • Complete plan reviews within benchmarked time frames and with a high degree of accuracy in applying applicable codes and standards
    • Coordinate and communicate fire department policies in new development and plan review projects with building, planning and public works and utilities
    • Coordinate new development and construction plan review processes on behalf of the fire department, and coordinate with the fire department staff on impacts
    • Provide technical support to fire department staff for inspections and other issues
  • Provide employee training including curriculum development, classroom training, and field training
  • Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
  • Interact and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of people
  • Demonstrate proficiency utilizing software and computer equipment relevant to the position
  • Read and understand technical written materials such as building and fire codes
  • Communicate with others under stressful conditions and remain calm and calm others in emotionally charged situations

JOB SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS
Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities and Tasks
  1. Completes:
    • All plan reviews relating to fire alarm, fire sprinkler, commercial hood fire protection, aboveground and underground fuel storage tanks, new construction, and other fire protection related systems
    • All concept and technical reviews of the PDP and ODP processes
  2. Coordinates and works with:
    • Community Services, including the building division
    • GIS
    • Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
    • Developers, contractors, architects, designers, builders and sub-contractors
  3. Establishes:
    • Programs, policies, and procedures for the Fire Prevention Bureau related to plan review, code adoption and interpretation, and inspections in conjunction with the Fire Marshal
    • Positive, professional relationships with City of Westminster employees as well as outside customers including developers, contractors, architects, designers, builders and sub-contractors, among others
  4. Participate in various committees, task forces, and work groups within the city
  5. Manage all aspects of the plan review process
  6. This position:
    • Will be required to conduct inspections on occasion based upon workload, technical expertise required, or assistance requested
    • Requires a general high level of physical and mental fitness and may be required to participate in the Department's physical fitness program and be tested at least once per year
    • Participating in an on-call rotation for Fire Investigations
    • Requires driving; must operate City vehicles in a safe manner
    • It is a safety sensitive position and is subject to random drug and alcohol screening
  7. Maintains regular and punctual attendance
Other Duties and Responsibilities
Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities which may be added at the City's discretion.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS/PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses and Certifications
Required:
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • ICC Fire Inspector I or equivalent Fire Inspector Certificationwith ability to obtain Fire Inspector II or equivalent within 12 months
  • ICC Plans Examiner or State of Colorado Fire Plans Examiner III; or Fire Protection Engineer certification; or equivalency in any of these areas
  • Proficiency utilizing software and computer equipment relevant to the position
  • Valid driver's license and safe driving record throughout employment
  • ICS 100, 200, 700, 800 or ability to obtain within 12 months
  • Fire Investigation experience with certification(s) in related field
Preferred:
  • Bachelor's Degree or higher with an emphasis in fire science, fire protection engineering, fire safety, fire administration or similarly related field
  • NICET Level I certification in fire sprinkler systems
  • Haz-Mat operations level or equivalent
  • Colorado State firefighter certification at any level or equivalent
  • Minimum five (5) years of firefighting experience, with two (2) years of experience working in a fire prevention bureau of a fire department
Physical Requirements
This position is physical in nature, requires a high level of fitness and involves:
  • Constant standing and walking on uneven terrain in various conditions to perform inspections; constant squatting, bending and kneeling to perform inspections at various sites
  • Frequently sitting to write reports and drive to and from inspection sites; frequent twisting to inspect site structure, wiring, and systems
  • Occasional crawling to inspect multi-level structures; occasional climbing and balancing on ladders, stairs, framing and step ladders at unprotected heights to look for structural hazards; occasionally reaching overhead and below shoulder to manipulate tools and equipment
  • Frequent light grasp, hand manipulation and handling needed to use equipment; occasional firm grasp is needed to manipulate tools
  • Frequent stepping up/down to get in and out of vehicles, trenches and foundations; frequent actuate mechanism needed to safely operate vehicles
  • Frequent use of far acuity to detect hazards; constant use of near acuity to write reports and perform office tasks
  • Occasional lifting and carrying of up to 30 pounds 100 feet to move ladders from vehicle to inspection site; occasional pushing/pulling of up to 20 pounds to open garage doors and overhead doors
WORKING CONDITIONS
This position involves significant administrative office work. During inspections, this position will physically spend time in the out-of-doors environment, operate vehicles in all weather conditions and be subject to mentally and physically stressful environments. This position is occasionally exposed to situations of extreme heat or cold, wet/humid conditions, environmental contamination, or other less than safe or comfortable conditions. The nature of on-scene inspection work is physically demanding and strenuous.
Position will be exposed on a limited basis to potential burns; radiant energy; explosive, electrical and mechanical hazards, and to working at heights. Potential for exposure to catastrophic conditions such as high wind, blizzard, flooding, hail, etc., exists on a limited basis. Moderate potential for exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, stress, blood-borne pathogens, and motor vehicle traffic hazards associated with emergency and non-emergency situations.
Employee may enter areas of loud and/or irritating noises such as engines and generators on a limited basis. Potential for exposure to fumes, odors, dust, mists, and gases under poorly ventilated conditions exist on a limited basis.
Required Materials and Equipment
Vehicles and equipment related to fire inspections, water flow devices, shovels and other hand or power tools, ladders, radio, pager, computer, telephone, copier, and various related business equipment. Operation of computer programs including Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook, Records Management, Incident Reporting, Blue Beam, TRAKiT and Internet Explorer.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
  • Background checks will include employment references and criminal history and when applicable, credit chec

What City Of Westminster (Colorado) employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom