Assistant Fire Chief

The Assistant Fire Chief performs a variety of responsible management, technical, and administrative work in commanding and coordinating emergency incidents including fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous material services, fire prevention, staff training and apparatus maintenance. This position reports directly to the Public Safety Chief and may serve as Acting Public Safety Chief in his/her absence.

Examples of Duties
Assists in the development and implementation of department goals, objectives, policies, priorities and motivates personnel; Directs and supervises firefighting forces as required; Ascertains the need for and types of additional equipment necessary to counteract the emergency; Makes technical decisions as to the best methods of extinguishing fires after observing the fire and receiving oral reports from company officers; Makes periodic inspections of staff and the general condition of the equipment, apparatus and fire station; Determines needs for new equipment, develops cost estimates, and requests appropriation of funds; Plans, develops, directs, organizes and participates in the department-wide training program, provides or coordinates staff training and works with employees to correct deficiencies; Assists in the preparation and administration of the department budget; Supervises the investigation of fires for cause and origin, and environmental crimes to determine causes, and assess damages; Investigates potential fire and safety hazards within the city; conducts drills relating to proper use of fire protection equipment, fire prevention procedures and emergency evacuation in schools, hospitals and other city-wide facilities; Apprehends suspects and appears in court to testify as to the origin of suspicious fires and environmental crimes; Analyzes, interprets, and enforces applicable fire safety codes and standards; Prepares and maintains a variety of technical reports and records; Represents the department in the community and at professional meetings as required; Coordinates Fire Department activities with other city departments and with outside agencies; Conducts routine community fire inspections and coordinates department company inspections/pre-plan program; Reviews plans of sprinkler systems, alarm systems, and building construction blueprints as needed; Investigates and follows up on complaints and potential hazards to the public; Assists Building Official and other departments with code and ordinance violations, hazard abatements and required inspections when requested; Oversees writing of necessary permits and collection of fees for the department; Performs other duties as assigned.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including a 90/10 health care plan, dental, and vision insurance; retirement through CalPERS; deferred compensation plans; flexible spending accounts; life insurance; holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Requirements: High school diploma or GED equivalent, California Class C driver's license with Firefighter Endorsement F or higher, California Chief Fire Officer certification or ability to complete within 18 months, California State Fire Training Fire Officer or Company Officer certification or equivalent, Current California EMT-B or ability to obtain within 12 months, California State P.C. 832 A or ability to obtain within 12 months, Bachelor's degree in fire science, fire administration or related field (preferred), 5 years increasingly responsible municipal fire suppression and prevention experience including at least 3 years command experience at Fire Captain level (preferred), College teaching credentials (desirable)

Salary: $71,462.04 - $116,612.08 Annually

Application Deadline: 2026-11-19