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Full Time Fire Chief Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fire Medic

Selma, AL

$52K - $83K/yr

Salaried Full-Time Physical Location : 601 County Road 78 Selma, AL The Job You Will Perform ... Collaborate with the Fire Chief for developing and implementing training plans for the mill ...

Fire Medic

Selma, AL · On-site

$52K - $83K/yr

Salaried Full-Time Physical Location : 601 County Road 78 Selma, AL The Job You Will Perform ... Collaborate with the Fire Chief for developing and implementing training plans for the mill ...

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Full Time Fire Chief information

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$31K

$105.6K

$183K

How much do full time fire chief jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time fire chief in the United States is $105,577.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $124,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Full Time Fire Chief vs Part Time Fire Chief?

AspectFull Time Fire ChiefPart Time Fire Chief
CredentialsFire officer certifications, leadership experienceFire officer certifications, leadership experience
Work EnvironmentFull-time, administrative and operational dutiesPart-time, primarily operational, on-call
Employer & Industry UsageMunicipal fire departments, full-time staffingVolunteer or part-time fire departments
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding full-time leadership rolesComparing part-time firefighting leadership

The Full Time Fire Chief typically holds a full-time leadership position within a municipal fire department, overseeing operations, administration, and strategic planning. In contrast, the Part Time Fire Chief usually works on a part-time basis, often in volunteer or smaller departments, focusing on operational management during scheduled hours. Both roles require similar certifications and leadership skills but differ mainly in time commitment and employment structure.

What are the main responsibilities of a Full Time Fire Chief?

A Full Time Fire Chief is responsible for overseeing all operations within a fire department, including managing staff, developing and implementing fire safety policies, and coordinating emergency response efforts. They ensure that firefighters are properly trained and that equipment is maintained and ready for use. Additionally, Fire Chiefs often serve as the public face of the department, working with community leaders, developing budgets, and enforcing fire codes. Their leadership is crucial in both daily operations and during major emergencies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Full Time Fire Chief, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Full Time Fire Chief, you need extensive experience in fire service operations, strong leadership abilities, and typically certifications such as Fire Officer and EMT, often supported by a degree in fire science or public administration. Familiarity with incident command systems, emergency management software, and regulatory compliance is crucial. Exceptional decision-making, communication, and team-building skills set top candidates apart. These competencies are vital for ensuring departmental efficiency, public safety, and effective emergency response leadership.

What are some common challenges faced by a Full Time Fire Chief in managing both emergency response and administrative duties?

A Full Time Fire Chief often balances the immediate demands of emergency response with the ongoing responsibilities of department administration. Common challenges include ensuring adequate staffing and training, managing budgets and resources, and maintaining compliance with safety regulations. Additionally, the Chief must foster effective communication across shifts, coordinate with local government, and engage in community outreach. These demands require strong leadership, adaptability, and the ability to prioritize tasks under pressure.
More about Full Time Fire Chief jobs
What cities are hiring for Full Time Fire Chief jobs? Cities with the most Full Time Fire Chief job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Fire Chief jobs? The most popular types of Fire Chief jobs are:
What states have the most Full Time Fire Chief jobs? States with the most job openings for Full Time Fire Chief jobs include:
2026 Billerica Fire Chief Sole AC w/In Title

2026 Billerica Fire Chief Sole AC w/In Title

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Boston, MA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

Salary: $0.00 Biweekly
Location : Statewide, MA
Job Type: Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: 26BillericaFC_OCX
Department: Billerica Fire Department
Opening Date: 06/29/2026
Closing Date: 8/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
2026 Billerica Fire Chief Open Competitive Sole Assessment Center
If you currently have a Civil Service Online Account DO NOT create a new account to apply for this exam.
Utilize the Government Jobs Help & Support to access your account.
Test takers with two accounts may cause delays with properly recording your application and notifications from civil service such as notices to appear, or job opportunities. If you have questions, please email
This examination is being administered, through a delegation agreement, by the appointing authority for the purpose of establishing an eligible list through the Human Resources Division (HRD) from which a Fire Chief vacancy will be filled. Candidates must successfully complete and pass this examination to be eligible for placement on the resulting eligible list.
Examination Date: August 27, 2026
Application Period Begins: July 16, 2026
Application Deadline: August 6, 2026
Examination Location: TBD
Examination Information
Eligibility: To be eligible for the Open Competitive Sole Assessment Center for the position of Fire Chief for the Billerica Fire Department, applicants must have at least five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in a management title within a fire force on the date of the examination. Candidates may substitute up to three years of experience with a degree in the following fields: Biochemical Science, Business Administration, Business Management, Chemistry, Communications, Computer Science, Emergency Management, Executive/Organizational Leadership, Engineering (Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Building Construction, Fire Prevention Engineering), Fire Administration, Fire Safety, Fire Science, Fire Service, Homeland Security/Security and Intelligence Studies, Nursing, Occupational Safety, Paramedic Medicine, Public Administration, Psychology, Social Work.
  • For a Bachelor's degree or are currently enrolled in a Bachelor's degree program, one year of education is equal to six months of experience. One year of education equals 30 semester hours.
  • For a Master's degree or higher or are currently enrolled in a Master's degree or higher program, one year of education is equal to eight months of experience. One year of education equals 30 semester hours.

Eligible List: Individuals placed on the resulting eligible list shall be eligible for certification from such list for such period as the administrator shall determine, but in any event not to exceed two years, unless otherwise outlined in MGL Chapter 31 § 25 or the Human Resources Division's (HRD) revocation policy.
Examination Weights: The Sole Assessment Center will be 100% of the final score.
Application: All applications must be received by the application deadline, or your application will not be accepted. Once your application is successfully submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive this confirmation, your application has not been received, and you will need to submit the application again.
Makeup Examination: All military personnel who, in connection with current service, have military orders that indicate their unavailability due to military service on the examination date, must file an application and request a makeup examination in writing to the delegation administrator or their designee. With the exception of current military personnel, as described above, no candidate has a right to a makeup examination due to personal or professional conflicts on the testing date. Candidates are advised to consider this before applying for the examination. If you file an examination application by the application deadline but are unable to appear for the examination on the examination date due to an emergency or unanticipated hardship, you may request a makeup examination by filing a written request with verifiable documentation to the delegation administrator or their designee. The delegation administrator reserves the right to approve or deny your request. Please reach out to them for further information.
Reasonable Accommodations: If you need reasonable accommodations due to a documented impairment, or medical condition, you must make a request with the delegation administrator or their designee. All requests will be reviewed and approved by the delegation administrator or their designee.
Delegation Administrator or Designee: Robert Cole- rcole@billericafire.com
Examples of Essential Duties:
Under policy direction of the Town Manager, the Fire Chief oversees the Department's administrative functions and is responsible for the delivery of fire suppression, emergency medical services, inspections and related emergency services.
General Duties and Responsibilities:*
  1. Oversee command at fires and emergencies as well as administration and management of the fire department.
  2. Require the enforcement of all laws, ordinances, orders, rules and directives that pertain to the fire department.
  3. Keep and maintain up-to-date records relative to inspections, testing and condition of all apparatus and equipment, and also relative to tests of apparatus and equipment after repairs.
  4. Maintain effective fire suppression forces.
  5. Supervise the administration of the department by budget preparation, developing and maintaining an effective system of reports and records of personnel actions, alarm responses, fire and casualty reports, fire inspections and investigations, personnel training, quarters, apparatus, equipment maintenance and testing.
  6. Develop long range plans for the training, operations, manpower and equipment requirements of the fire department.
  7. Perform all related work, as required.

*The duties and responsibilities listed above are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment of the position. For a complete description, please contact the Billerica Fire Department.
Assessment Center: The assessment center will be conducted by a third-party vendor chosen by the delegation administrator. The assessment center will be designed to test, where practicable, the knowledge, skills, and abilities that have been established as qualifications for the position.
Credit for In-Title Experience: Pursuant to the provisions of, individuals may apply to receive credit for employment or experience in the position title of Fire Chief. Credit will only be accepted if time worked is in a permanent, provisional or temporary after certification status. If you believe you are eligible for this credit, you must claim this credit in the application. All claims must be verified by supporting documentation, which must provide specific details of any experience you have in the position title of Fire Chief, including dates of service and, if part time, total number of hours worked. The supporting documentation must be on original letterhead with a signature from the appointing authority where the experience occurred or on the Please note, credit for employment or experience is applicable only to individuals who achieve a passing score on the Assessment Center and cannot be added to a failing examination score. Supporting documentation needs to be submitted within seven days after the Assessment Center date by email to or attached to your application.
Statutory Preference Points: Upon submission of written proof, two points will be added to the passing score of qualified Veterans and Disabled Veterans or individuals who have 25 years of service as a member of a regular police or fire force and have passed an examination for promotional appointment in such force. If you are qualified for both the Veteran's Preference and the Promotional Preference for 25 years of service, please be advised that two points are the maximum allowable number of points to be added to your passing, overall (general average) examination score. To claim the Promotional Preference for 25 years of service, candidates must claim this preference in the application and either attach the form to the application or email it to To claim veterans preference, claim veteran status in the application and attach your DD214 to the application or email it to For more information on veteran status refer to the section on our website.
Updating Information: Candidates are responsible for maintaining accurate contact information. Failure to keep your records current may jeopardize opportunities for employment. For information on how to update your information, visit the
During the HRD review process or during the life of the applicable eligible list(s), candidates must make original supporting documentation available should the issue of authenticity arise with any submitted document copies.
Private School or Service: HRD does not recommend or endorse any private school, service, or publisher offering preparation and/or publications for examinations and is not responsible for their advertising claims.
Supplemental Information:
Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
For more information about this and other civil service examinations, visit http://www.mass.gov/civilservice or email the Civil Service Unit at
Inquiries may also be made to HRD, Monday through Friday, 8:45am - 5:00pm, at the following numbers:
Boston area: (617) 878-9895
Within Massachusetts: 1-800-392-6178
TTY Number: (617) 878-9762
There is no Benefit Code