Fire Chief Jobs

Fire Chief Jobs, explained

How many fire chief jobs are open in the United States?

95 chief officer postings are open right now at 87 departments in the United States on FireJobs, from battalion chief up to fire chief. Members see the salary, closing date and application link for each.

What do you need to become a fire chief?

Postings for fire chief typically ask for 10 or more years in the fire service with several at the rank of battalion chief or above, a bachelor's degree (a master's is often preferred), Chief Fire Officer designation or Executive Fire Officer program completion, and current certifications such as Fire Officer III or IV. Each department writes its own requirements, so read the posting.

What is the difference between a battalion chief and a fire chief?

A battalion chief commands a shift or a group of stations and is usually a promotional rank filled from within. A fire chief runs the whole department, reports to a city manager, mayor or board, and is often recruited from outside. Deputy, assistant and division chief sit between the two and manage divisions such as operations, training or prevention.

How much do fire chiefs make?

Pay follows department size and region. Postings on FireJobs for small-town or volunteer-combination departments can start under $80,000, while fire chief positions at large career departments commonly advertise $175,000 to $250,000 or more. Battalion chief postings usually publish a range between the two. The posting is the source for the exact figure.