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Remote Fire Chief Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Head of Wildfire Affairs

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$175K - $210K/yr

We are a team of more than 175 people working in a hybrid-remote environment across North America ... Build and deepen relationships with fire agency leaders, chiefs, and decision-makers across the U.S.

Wildland Firefighter (Apprentice)

Acton, CA · On-site +1

$44K - $68K/yr

Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable). * Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license (CDL) ...

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Showing results 1-20

Remote Fire Chief information

See California salary details

$30.6K

$104.2K

$180.6K

How much do remote fire chief jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote fire chief in California is $104,194.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,000.00 and $122,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a remote fire chief?

A Remote Fire Chief is a fire department leader who oversees fire prevention, emergency response, and personnel management from a location outside of the traditional fire station or headquarters, often using digital tools and remote communication. This role involves coordinating firefighting teams, developing safety protocols, and ensuring compliance with regulations while managing operations remotely. Remote Fire Chiefs may also handle scheduling, training, and incident reporting using specialized software. Their responsibilities remain similar to those of an on-site Fire Chief but are adapted for remote supervision and collaboration.

How does a remote fire chief effectively manage and coordinate emergency response teams from a distance?

A Remote Fire Chief utilizes digital communication tools and incident management software to oversee and direct firefighting operations without being physically present at the scene. They regularly conduct virtual briefings, monitor real-time data from field teams, and make strategic decisions based on remote assessments. Building trust and clear communication channels with on-site personnel is crucial, as is ensuring all team members are trained in using remote collaboration platforms. This role demands adaptability, quick decision-making, and the ability to lead and motivate teams from afar.

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

To thrive as a Remote Fire Chief, you need extensive firefighting experience, leadership abilities, and certifications such as Fire Officer and Incident Command System (ICS) credentials. Familiarity with emergency communication systems, GIS mapping tools, and fire management software is typically required. Strong decision-making, crisis management, and effective communication skills are essential for coordinating remote teams and resources. These skills ensure efficient emergency response, team safety, and effective leadership in challenging and isolated environments.

What is the difference between Remote Fire Chief vs Remote Fire Inspector?

AspectRemote Fire ChiefRemote Fire Inspector
Required CredentialsFire science degree, certifications like Fire Officer I/II, leadership experienceFire science or related degree, certifications like Fire Inspector I/II, code enforcement training
Work EnvironmentLeadership role overseeing fire departments or agencies remotelyInspecting buildings, enforcing fire codes, conducting safety assessments remotely
Employer & Industry UsageFire departments, emergency services, government agenciesBuilding departments, safety agencies, fire prevention organizations
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in fire servicesUnderstanding fire safety inspections and code enforcement

The Remote Fire Chief focuses on leading fire departments and managing emergency response strategies remotely, requiring leadership skills and certifications. In contrast, the Remote Fire Inspector specializes in inspecting buildings and enforcing fire codes, emphasizing safety assessments and compliance. Both roles are essential in fire safety but differ in responsibilities, work environment, and required credentials.

What are the most commonly searched types of Fire Chief jobs in California?

The most popular types of Fire Chief jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Remote Fire Chief jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Remote Fire Chief jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Remote Fire Chief jobs?

Cities in California with the most Remote Fire Chief job openings:

Infographic showing various Remote Fire Chief job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,194 per year, or $50.1 per hour.

Chief of Staff & Director of Special Projects

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

The AI Education Project
1 - 10 employees

$150K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

About aiEDU

The AI Education Project (aiEDU) is a growing 501(c)(3) non-profit that creates equitable educational experiences to excite and empower learners everywhere with AI literacy. We educate students—especially those disproportionately impacted by artificial intelligence and automation—with the conceptual knowledge and skills they need to thrive as future workers, creators, consumers, and citizens. Join us to make a difference in education and help shape a brighter future for today's and tomorrow's learners.

About the role:

The Chief of Staff to the CEO is a high-leverage, high-trust role critical to furthering aiEDU's growth and impact. You will be the CEO's closest thought partner and force multiplier—extending his reach, sharpening his voice, and owning the work that shapes how aiEDU shows up to the world.

This is a deliberately blended role built for a communicator with the instincts of an operator. You write with range and precision and can think in another leader's voice. You read people, rooms, and stakeholders accurately, and you handle sensitive situations with discretion. And you work well with ambiguity, moving from a half-formed idea to a shipped result without waiting for each step to be handed to you.

You'll also own aiEDU's communications and marketing function, act as a proxy for the CEO across high-stakes relationships, and lead ambiguous special projects that don't yet belong to any single team. The through-line here is judgment: knowing what the CEO would say, what a stakeholder needs to hear, which fire to put out first, and when to act without being asked.

⭐ Role Details
  • Location: This full-time, exempt position can be done on a flexible schedule remotely from anywhere in the U.S. with access to high speed internet, with a preference for someone who can work PST hours. The candidate should be comfortable and equipped to work efficiently in a remote work environment. Up to 40% travel within the U.S. will be required for this role.
  • Compensation: The baseline compensation range for this role is $150,000-$175,000 depending on experience.
  • Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including full health, dental, and vision for you and any dependents, plus life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, flexible work hours and location, flexible paid time off, paid parental leave, a generous annual stipend for home office expenses and professional development, and a 401k match of 4% vested immediately. For more details regarding our benefits, visit: aiedu.org/careers
  • Start date: We'd like a candidate to start as soon as possible after receiving an offer, though there is some flexibility.
✅ Your Responsibilities:

Office of the CEO Management

  • Run the office of the CEO, coordinating the CEO's focus and priorities in alignment with organizational needs
  • Provide strategic external communications support — triage incoming communications, draft responses, and ensure timely follow up
  • Field and triage meeting requests on behalf of the CEO, taking meetings independently where appropriate and preparing briefings and materials for high-stakes engagements
  • Act as a proxy for the CEO in decision-making and follow-ups, owning next steps and making sure nothing falls through the cracks
  • Partner with the CEO's EA on scheduling, travel, expenses and inbox management, and optimize travel time for maximum relationship-building across external partners, programs teams, and funders

Communications & Marketing

  • Lead and own executive communications for the CEO, including the development and stewardship of thought leadership content via Substack, LinkedIn, and other channels, as well as aiEDU Studios (podcast) 
  • Lead and own CEO and executive media relations, coordinating with Comms Lead to respond to inbound and regularly engage proactively with journalists
  • Support the development of presentations and workshop facilitation materials, ensuring the CEO shows up polished and on-message
  • Manage the Lead, Communications, who is responsible for tactical deployment of aiEDU's marketing and communications strategy — serving as a strategic thought partner and accountability partner for that person
  • Build an analytics infrastructure to measure the impact of communications and marketing efforts, and use those insights to inform strategy and future content decisions

Special Projects

  • Serve as ad-hoc capacity to incubate new initiatives, partnerships, or projects at their earliest stages before handing them off to the appropriate team
  • Build lightweight, AI-powered tools and workflows that make the Office of the CEO and the comms function faster and more nimble — vibe-coding internal apps and wiring up AI workflows where they remove friction
  • Lead and advance current in-flight projects, which include vibecoding.aiedu.org and a full aiEDU website revamp
  • Program manage the aiEDU Advisory Board, organizing meetings, regular updates, and coordinating with other teams to leverage individual advisors across aiEDU workstreams
???? About You 

You might be a great match for this role if you have:

  • 7+ years of experience in roles that blend strategy, communications, and fast-paced execution — such as Chief of Staff or generalist at a startup or equivalent; experience at a nonprofit or mission-driven organization is a plus
  • Exceptional written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to write in another leader's voice and produce compelling content across multiple formats and audiences
  • High fluency with AI tools, including the ability to build lightweight tools and automations yourself — vibe-coding internal apps, wiring up AI workflows, and standing up systems that make a team faster. You've moved beyond just using AI to actually building with it
  • Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously without dropping the ball
  • Analytical mindset with comfort building lightweight dashboards, tracking metrics, and using data to drive decisions
  • High EQ and strong interpersonal skills; ability to build trust with a wide range of stakeholders and represent leadership with discretion and credibility
  • A bias toward action and an ownership mentality — you solve problems proactively rather than waiting to be directed
  • Comfort operating in ambiguity, navigating a fast-paced environment, and wearing multiple hats at once
  • Passion for equity in education and a genuine belief in aiEDU's mission

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as outlined in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications as described.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The AI Education Project is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that building and empowering a diverse team is a strategic imperative in our work, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.  This policy applies with regard to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits and termination. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification.