Full Time Interim Fire Chief Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $83,476.00 - $137,738.00 Annually
Location : Palm Bay, FL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2803
Department: Fire
Division: Administration
Opening Date: 08/25/2026
Closing Date: 9/1/2026 12:00 AM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: General Employee
MINIMUM TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's Degree in Management, Public Administration, Fire Science, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution; plus, a minimum of fifteen (15) years of paid (career) experience in firefighting, Emergency Medical Services, and emergency response, which must include ten (10) years of experience as a Lieutenant or equivalent or higher in a Fire Rescue Department required.
Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License and have and maintain an acceptable driving record.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Please Note: The State of Florida does not accept Pro Board or Equivalencies. If submitting a Pro Board Certificate, you must attach BOTH the State of Florida Certificate and the Pro Board Certificate. Applications missing either documents will not be accepted or reviewed.
Must possess a current Certificate of Compliance as a firefighter from the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards. Must have a current State of Florida Fire Officer I, State of Florida Paramedic Certification or hold a current State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician certification with the ability to obtain a Paramedic certification within 18 months of appointment.
Possession of or ability to obtain within 12 months of appointment:
State of Florida Fire Officer II
State of Florida Fire Instructor II
State of Florida Fire Safety Inspector I
Possession of or ability to obtain within 18 months of appointment:
State of Florida Fire Officer III
State of Florida Fire Instructor III
State of Florida Fire Safety Inspector II
Fire Code Administrator
Live Fire Training Instructor
Fire Investigator, Professional Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety and Excellence, and/or completion of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program is highly desirable. Must excel in the use of Microsoft Office programs.
EMERGENCY DECLARATION STATUS
Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared emergency and/or declared emergency. On an incident-by-incident basis, the employee's Department Head will make the determination as to who will be required to work.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
Under limited supervision, performs administrative and supervisory firefighting work directing the activities of a Fire Rescue Department Division(s). This position can be assigned to oversee Operations, Administrative Services, Special Operations, Logistics, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Resource Management, Fleet, Facilities, Training and Safety, Community Risk Reduction, GIS, SWAT Medic, or other areas assigned by the Fire Chief. Work involves participating in Departmental planning to ensure maintenance of proper service levels for the City, and overseeing budgeting, fiscal and personnel administration functions for the assigned bureau. Employee is also responsible for responding to scenes of major fires, hazardous materials incidents, natural or man-made disasters, emergency management planning and coordination, etc., evaluating the situation, and formulating and participating in a plan of suppression and/or rescue. Work also involves ensuring availability and proper maintenance of firefighting and rescue equipment, and coordinating activities with other City departments, or outside agencies and businesses. Employee is subject to the usual hazards of emergency response work. Reports to the Deputy Fire Chief.
SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBLITIES
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Assists in development and implementation of policies, procedures, and methods to be employed in emergency response operations, and in development of plans for multiple responses to natural or manmade disasters; participates in research and development of plans for acquisition of equipment, training and/or staffing to maintain proper service levels based on projections for growth of the City and efficient use of the City's resources.
Assists in preparation of budgets, and administration of budgeted funds for assigned Divisions, prepares requisitions or coordinates purchase of necessary equipment, supplies and materials, and ensures proper distribution, with the Deputy Fire Chief's approval.
Manages assigned Battalion Chiefs and ensures they have the necessary support to perform their duties.
Oversees and ensures proper staffing of assigned fire rescue stations; enforces day-to-day operating policies and procedures, performs inspections of fire stations and apparatus, prepares written inspection reports for the Deputy Fire Chief to review.
Selectively responds to incidents requiring firefighting, emergency medical services (EMS), search and rescue of victims, or hazardous material response; may make determination of necessary personnel, equipment and suppression or containment tactics until relieved by or until otherwise directed by the Deputy Fire Chief.
Rotate afterhours on-call responsibilities as scheduled by the Deputy Fire Chief. Prepares and maintains various records and reports of activities and emergency response operations.
Attends seminars, conference, workshops, classes, lectures, etc., as appropriate to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in the field of emergency response, including firefighting, emergency rescue, hazardous materials response, etc.
ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Performs other related work as required.
This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, Management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary that are a logical assignment to the position.
This position is General Exempt and is covered under Personnel Policies and the Administrative Code.
Health Insurance: Health care plan options include HDHP, OAPIN and OAP through Cigna.
Dental Insurance: Dental coverage is offered in three plans that include DHMO & PPO High/Low plans.
Vision Insurance: Vision coverage includes an annual eye exam, frames and lenses or contact lenses in lieu of eyeglasses.
Life Insurance: The City of Palm Bay provides each employee with life insurance in the amount of one time their annual base salary at no cost. Additional coverage is available at the employee's cost up to the Guaranteed Issue amount of $250,000.
Dependent/Spouse Life Insurance: The City of Palm Bay provides each employee with dependent/spouse life insurance in the amount of $5,000 per dependent at no cost. Additional coverage is available at the employee's cost.
Short Term Disability: Coverage pays 66 2/3% of employee's annual base salary during a short-term disability period not to exceed 26 weeks.
Long Term Disability: Coverage pays 66 2/3% of employee's salary at time of disability after a 180 consecutive day waiting period.
Defined Contribution Retirement Plan: City contributes a base of 3%. Employees may contribute up to 6% and the City will match the employees contribution.
Holidays: 11 holidays and 1 birthday holiday and 1 floating holiday.
Paid Leave: Accrue 96 hours of vacation and sick leave per year. Accrued vacation hours increase after 10 years of service. Administrative leave for exempt employees - 48 hours per year.
01
Do you possess a valid driver's license and maintain an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree or higher in Management, Public Administration, Fire Science, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you have at least (15) years of paid, career firefighting, Emergency Medical Services or emergency response experience?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you have at least (10) years of experience serving as a Lieutenant (or equivalent rank) or higher in a Fire Rescue Department?

• Yes
• No

05
Do you currently hold a State of Florida Certificate of Compliance as a Firefighter (Florida Bureau of Fire Standards)?

• Yes
• No

06
Which of the following certifications do you currently hold?

• State of Florida Paramedic Certification
• State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification
• None of the above

07
If you are currently an EMT only, are you able and willing to obtain a State of Florida Paramedic certification within 18 months of appointment?

• Yes
• No
• Not applicable (I am already a Paramedic)

08
Do you currently possess, or are you able to obtain within 12 months of appointment the State of Florida Fire Officer II Certificate?

• I currently possess this certification
• I do not possess this certification but can obtain within 12 months
• I cannot obtain this certification within 12 months

09
Do you possess, or are you able to obtain within 12 months of appointment the State of Florida Fire Instructor II Certificate?

• I currently possess this certification
• I do not possess this certification but can obtain it within 12 months
• I cannot obtain this certification within 12 months

10
Do you currently possess, or are you able to obtain within 12 months of appointment the State of Florida Fire Safety Inspector I Certificate?

• I currently possess this certification
• I do not possess this certification but can obtain it within 12 months
• I cannot obtain this certification within 12 months

11
Are you proficient in using Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook?

• Yes
• No

12
Are you willing and able to obtain the following certifications within 18 months of employment, if not already held. State of Florida Fire Officer III, Fire Instructor III, Fire Safety Inspector II, Fire Code Administrator, Live Fire Training Instructor I

• Yes, I currently have or can obtain it within 18 months
• No, I will not be able to obtain within 18 months

Required Question