Battalion Chief

Starting Salary:
$109,101.36 (fewer than 10 years)
$110,998.774 (10 years)

This is a closed promotional examination limited to employees in the classification of Captain with the City of Canton, Ohio Fire Department. 
 
To be eligible for this examination, applicants must have completed twelve (12) months in classification of Captain by August 25, 2026.
 
Internal applicants may submit their application through governmentjobs.com/careers/cantonohio by clicking the “Apply” button on the posting. Applicants must submit a copy of a valid photo ID along with their application. Applicants must apply no later than May 17, 2026.
 

General Statement of Duties: 

This is a responsible, professional, and managerial position. The Battalion Chief assists the Fire Chief and Division Chief in the administration of activities, policies, and personnel of the Fire Department. This individual exercises supervision over personnel under their command and gives instructions and directions concerning procedures to follow in the station and at fire scenes.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Extensive experience in firefighting, acquiring at least six years’ experience of progressive responsibility through the rank of Captain to afford familiarity with all phases of divisional operations; completion of a standard high school course, and preferably possession of a diploma from a recognized fire training school; or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Computer and other technology skills as necessary for the position are required. 

Description of Work:

 (The duties listed are intended only as illustrations 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 to the position.)

Responsible for creating and enforcing rules and regulations for the administration of the operations under their supervision, subject to the directives of the Fire Chief and Division Chief. Assists in planning and directing the activities of the Fire Department. Assists in providing training to subordinate employees. Evaluates employee performance and provides appropriate feedback and follow-up.

Directly manages and supervises the operations of their assigned platoon and the activities of its personnel. Receives instructions and directions from Division Chief concerning procedures to follow to maintain discipline, firefighting readiness, and effectiveness. Responds to alarms and directs firefighting operations on a city-wide basis. Assigns and supervises major maintenance tasks relating to stations, grounds, and fire hydrants. Conducts drills and training, and gives instructions in first aid and firefighting methods. Inspects the personnel, stations, and equipment for proper appearance and condition. Transfers personnel under their command into positions deemed appropriate. 

Assists the Chief and Division Chief as directed in personnel administration. May exercise the authority to discipline the personnel under their command to the extent of a verbal or written reprimand and recommend suspension. 

Identifies problems and potential problems, and recommends solutions to their superior. Provides detailed information and guidance to employees in personnel matters. May resolve employee complaints, grievances, and discipline according to the collective bargaining agreement and/or the City’s policies and procedures. 

Assists the Chief and Division Chief in the preparation for the conduct of collective bargaining negotiations. 

Performs inventory management responsibilities, signing in all incoming supplies. 

Prepares and maintains records and reports delineating the activities of the department. Makes daily reports to the Chief concerning personnel and activities. Investigates all accidents to personnel, apparatus and equipment, all charges, complaints, and other matters of an official nature under their supervision and makes reports to their superiors as required. 

THIS IS A PROMOTIONAL TEST.  IT IS ONLY OPEN TO CANTON CITY FIRE CAPTAINS HAVING  SERVED AT LEAST TWELVE (12) MONTHS AS A FIRE CAPTAIN.

This examination will consist of two parts:  a written exam, which will be weighted at 40%, and an assessment center, which will be weighted at at 60%.  All applicants for Battalion Chief are eligible to take the assessment center, provided they score a 75% or higher on the written exam. Seniority credit will be given after both exams, provided a score of 70% is attained on the assessment center, in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code and the Rules and Regulations of the Canton Civil Service Commission.                                         

The written examination will be held August 25, 2026 at 9:00 am.  Check in will begin at 8:30 am.  Applicants will be admitted to the test site only upon presentation of their valid State of Ohio Driver's License or other valid photo identification card to the examiners.  The location of the examination will be determined at a later date.  This exam will take approximately 2 hours to complete.

The questions will be taken from the following source material:

    1. Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics, 5th Edition; John Norman (ISBN#: 978-1593704186)

   2. Chief Officer: Principles and Practice, 3rd Edition; David J. Purchase, Jones & Bartlett Learning, International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) (ISBN#978-1284172478)

   3. Fire and Emergency Services Administration: Management and Leadership Practices, 3rd Edition; L. Charles Smeby, Jr., Jones & Bartlett Learning (ISBN# 978-1284180213

   4. Fire Chief’s Handbook, 7th Edition; (excluding chapters 4,12,13,24,28); Richard A. Marinucci (ISBN#: 978-1593702625)

   5. Canton Professional Firefighters Association Local 249 Collective Bargaining Agreement (Effective January 1, 2022-December 31, 2024)

The assessment center will be a structured series of activities or exercises. These exercises are developed to enable individuals trained as assessors to observe a candidate's behavior and document a score based on the candidate's performance. The assessment center will be held September 26, 2026. The location and time will be assigned at a later date. 

SENIORITY
Credit will be given for seniority in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code and the Canton Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations provided a passing score is attained on the exam components.*DISCLAIMER*
All applicants should receive an email from noreply@governmentjobs.com confirming that their application was received. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact Civil Service atjobs@cantonohio.gov to confirm that your application went through.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for promotion without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, political affiliation, age, type of disability or any other non-merit factor.
 
ADA COMPLIANCE
Reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA Compliance will be made available upon request to those qualified applicants in need of it, in order to achieve the essential job functions as described above.
 
RATING
Your name will be placed on a list of eligible candidates upon receiving a passing grade and promotion shall be in accordance with Sections 124.45 and 124.48 of the Ohio Revised Code.
 

Salary : $109,101 - $110,999