Full Time Fire Chief Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $149,760.00 - $189,550.40 Annually
Location : 400 West Main Street, Westerville OH 43081, OH
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 01276
Department: FIRE
Division: ADMINISTRATION
Opening Date: 01/29/2026
Description
Westerville is a vibrant city of more than 40,000 residents and a leader in job creation in the region. The community boasts 41 parks and a recently expanded, state-of-the-art, indoor recreation facility. Westerville is also home to a historic Uptown, which has recently secured an APA Ohio Great Place in Ohio award. If this sounds like a community you want to be a part of, apply now!
Under the general supervision of the City Manager, this position is responsible for the overall directing, planning and implementation of activities within the Fire department. The Fire Chief oversees all staff within the department.
SUPERVISION
This position reports directly to the City Manager.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF WORK
For purposes of 42 U.S.C. 12101

1. Direct and control the activities of the fire department to ensure operational effectiveness; establish and implement operational policies, goals, and objectives; compliance with fire codes and emergency preparedness plans; respond to emergency situations and direct emergency response; make critical decisions in hazardous situations; help manage emergency operations center; manage emergencies and disasters.
2. Manage and supervise all assigned employees (e.g., schedule and assign tasks; interview job applicants; recommend the hiring of job applicants; recommend discipline; evaluate performance; receive and adjust grievances or employee complaints; approve and recommend the approval of leave requests; develop and implement policy; participate in personnel or labor relations activities; serve as a member of management's collective bargaining negotiating team; prepare and type documents to be used solely in collective bargaining; has access to financial data used in monitoring department revenue / income; etc).
3. Develop and present the annual departmental budget; write specifications for new apparatus, vehicles, and equipment; make recommendations to the City Manager; control spending within the approved budget; participate in problem-solving involving community affairs and other departments; collaborate with city staff regarding electric, water, planning, and zoning to solve problems and improve services.
4. Maintain records and prepare reports on various subjects; stay updated with changes in State and Federal laws related to the department; establish and maintain good working relationships with community groups, agencies, and the media; make presentations regarding emergency services; handle citizen complaints; plan and direct public education, fire prevention, and school programs involving fire safety education; participate on various city and community committees and task forces.
5. Perform other related duties as assigned.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED:
The following are examples only and are not intended to be all inclusive: Personal computer, printers, copier, telephone, and other standard business office equipment, motor vehicles, and computer software (e.g., Microsoft Office, ADP, EMS and Fire Software, Adobe, training software, CAD, ArcGIS, etc.).
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The employee works in the vicinity of floor or wall openings, elevated platforms, and/or runways; ascends and/or descends ladders, stairs, or scaffolds, works in confined space (e.g., manhole); works in the vicinity of dockboards (bridge plates); works in an area in which the means of egress is or can be obstructed; works on and around powered platforms and/or vehicle mounted platforms (e.g., manlifts, fire trucks); is exposed to environmental conditions which may result in injury from fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and /or poorly ventilated work areas; is exposed to possible injury from extremely noisy conditions above 85db; is exposed to possible injury from radiation; is exposed to possible injury from hazardous gases, chemicals, flammables, or air conditions; is exposed to possible injury from hazardous waste; is exposed to possible injury from unclean or unsanitary conditions; is exposed to possible injury as a result of electrical shock; is exposed to possible injury as a result of working with moving mechanical parts of equipment or machines; is exposed to possible injury from explosions; is exposed to possible injury as a result of falling from high places; works in or around crowds; has contact with potentially violent or emotionally distraught persons; has exposure to potentially vicious animals; has exposure to life threatening situations; has exposure to fire; has exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions; has exposure to extreme non-weather related heat or cold; has exposure to hazardous driving conditions; has exposure to shaking objects or surfaces; has exposure to second-hand smoke; works second shift / third shift; has exposure to chemicals found in an office environment (toner, correction fluid, etc.).
POSITIONS DIRECTLY SUPERVISED:
Deputy Chief, Administrative Assistant, Support Service Coordinator, Community Service Coordinator, and the Fire Prevention Supervisor.
Note: In accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor physical demands strength ratings, this is considered light work.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: An example of acceptable qualifications:

• Possession of a bachelor's degree in fire administration or a related field; and
• Over 10 years of experience as a firefighter including supervisory experience;
• Must possess an Ohio Paramedic certification, Ohio Firefighter II fire training certificate, Ohio Certified Fire Safety Inspector, and have completed ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800. Ohio Fire Executive or Executive Fire Officer is preferred.
• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Ohio vehicle operator's license and remain insurable under the City's vehicle insurance policy.
• Any combination of education, training and/or experience equivalent to the minimum qualifications stated above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (*Indicates developed after employment)
KNOWLEDGE OF: fire suppression and emergency medical methods, fire and emergency response equipment operation and maintenance, safety standards and precautions pertaining to the use and operation of fire equipment and to fire suppression and emergency medical activities, fire codes and regulations, supervisory principles and practices, agency goals and objectives*, agency policies and procedures.*
SKILL IN: typing and data entry, computer operation, motor vehicles, use of modern office equipment and software, critical thinking, judgment and decision making.
ABILITY TO: establish and maintain effective fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency management, and emergency response programs, deal with many variables and determine specific action, recognize unusual or threatening conditions and take appropriate action, exercise independent judgement and discretion, add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, determine material and equipment needs, compile and prepare reports, prepare accurate documentation, communicate effectively, train or instruct others, understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications, resolve complaints, develop and maintain effective working relationships, perform light manual labor, travel to and gain access to work site, demonstrate professionalism, apply management principles to solve agency problems.*
HEALTH BENEFITS
Employees pay 15% of the monthly medical insurance premium though United Healthcare which includes prescription coverage.
VISION AND DENTAL
The City pays 100% of the premium for dental and vision.
LIFE INSURANCE
The City pays 100% of the premium on a $100,000 life insurance policy for employee.
RETIREMENT PENSION
The City contributes 24% monthly toward retirement benefits offered through the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund.
VACATION
Entry level Fire Fighters receive two weeks of paid vacation after completing one-year probationary period.
PERSONAL LEAVE
Firefighters receive 72 prorated hours of personal leave annually.
01
Do you possess a bachelor's degree in fire administration or a related field?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you possess over 10 years of experience as a firefighter including supervisory experience?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you possess an Ohio Paramedic certification, Ohio Firefighter II fire training certificate, Ohio Certified Fire Safety Inspector, and have completed ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you possess Ohio Fire Executive or Executive Fire Officer training/certificate?

• Yes
• No

Required Question