Battalion Chief

JOB Whether you are joining our team for three years or twenty, you will have the opportunity to grow your career with us! Our employees are offered the opportunity to enhance their skill set by attending training courses, working on special projects, and becoming a member of one of our many City Teams.

De Pere, consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Wisconsin, is a safe, warm, and friendly community located right along the Fox River less than ten minutes from Green Bay and 25 minutes from Appleton and the Fox Valley. De Pere is an integral part of the Green Bay metro area, which was ranked as the #1 place to live in the United States for 2023. As an employer, the City of De Pere is a positive, team-oriented organization with a commitment to providing exceptional customer service to its community. The City of De Pere provides an engaging work environment focused on collaboration and team building. De Pere strives to attract, develop, and retain diverse talent by promoting a diversity of thought, valuing differing perspectives, and empowering employees to share their authentic viewpoints at all levels and functions within the City.

The City of De Pere is seeking a Battalion Chief. The Battalion Chief is a working supervisor that supervises 6-10 employees between two stations. The City of De Pere has three Battalion Chief positions. The Battalion Chiefs are primarily stationed at the administrative offices and supervise the Lieutenants at both stations. The Battalion Chief plans, directs, coordinates, and supervises the day-to-day operations of the assigned shift to establish and maintain a safe work environment that ensures a high degree of operational readiness to maximize the level of service provided to the community.

About the department:

Typical Work Schedule: Works 24 hour shifts. Plus additional hours as required for training, meetings, emergencies, etc.

Salary: The full salary range for this position is $93,537 - $133,619, plus excellent benefits package. The anticipated starting salary is $93,537 - $112,236 depending on qualifications. The City of De Pere rewards employees for exceptional work performance with a pay for performance incentive program. Employees may be awarded a salary increase, bonus, or paid time off for exceptional work performance.

Application Deadline: Applications are being accepted until 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2026.

The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with state and federal law, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Human Resources. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES The following duties are essential for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Plan, direct, and coordinate the day-to-day operations of the assigned shift to establish and maintain a safe work environment that ensures a high degree of operational readiness to maximize the level of service provided to the community.
• Manage, direct and organize field operations and activities of the company officers and members assigned to fire stations. Monitor work flow, and review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures.
• Respond to alarms and emergency situations as necessary to assume the duties of Incident Commander, including directing operations and determining personnel and equipment needs. Transmit orders and assume command in emergency situations.
• Coordinate and monitor emergency medical service activities.
• Prepare written performance evaluations of personnel under his/her supervision in accordance with the policies of the Department and the City.
• Participate in and assist with the delivery of training programs to maintain a constant state of readiness and competency for medical, fire, hazardous materials, technical rescues and other special services; plan and coordinate classes as needed.
• Participate in labor negotiations and union grievances and provide recommendations to the Fire Chief regarding modifications to the collective bargaining agreement.
• Supervise time off schedules and prepare station assignment schedules.
• Assist the Fire Chief in planning and directing the operation of the Department including the promulgation of Fire Department policies and standard operational guidelines; the efficient use of personnel and equipment, the procurement of materials, supplies and equipment necessary for the operation of the Department; the preparation, revision and monitoring of proposed budgets; and the maintenance of adequate records of Fire Department activities.
• Interpret and apply departmental policies and procedures; ensure compliance with department orders, rules, regulations, practices and procedures.
• Ensure completion of records and reports relative to personnel attendance, payroll, fire reports/NFIRS, EMS/billing, capital projects, vehicles/maintenance, monthly/annual reports, citizen complaints, and personnel assignments and placement.
• Prepare specifications and evaluations on apparatus, equipment, tactical operations, inspections, training and other technical and administrative matters.
• Plan, assign, supervise and schedule the activities of the officers and members of each company assigned to the shift, as well as the inspection of stations and equipment.
• Confer with other governmental officials and members of the public relative to fire suppression, emergency medical service and other rescues as needed.
• Educate City officials, civic groups, businesses, and citizens on fire prevention and fire codes. Work closely with community leaders, communities, boards, councils, etc.
• Assist in planning and directing other activities of the fire department, as assigned by the Assistant Fire Chief.
• Perform research, analyze findings and prepare policy changes and recommendations for the department.
• Provide a motivational atmosphere for the members of his/her shift on a daily basis, by setting a good example through a positive attitude and demeanor.
• Complete reports relative to personnel attendance, duty injury reports, fire reports, accident investigations, internal affairs, citizen complaints, and personnel assignments and placement.
• Direct and supervise performance of general maintenance work in the upkeep of Fire Department buildings, property, apparatus and equipment.
• Evaluate fires and hazardous situations to take immediate action necessary for the protection of life and property.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Minimum Education: Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science or related field. Bachelor's degree preferred.

Minimum Experience: Six years fire service experience, including three years' experience in a supervisory/command position, performing fire and/or EMS service responsibilities.

A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Minimum Certifications:

• Firefighter I and Firefighter II Certifications
• Driver/Operator Pumper and Aerial Certifications
• Fire Officer I Certification
• National Registry or State of Wisconsin Emergency Medical Technician - Basic Certification or higher; EMT - Paramedic Certification preferred.

Other Requirements:

• National Incident Management System (NIMS) training is required including ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 300, and ICS 400.
• Valid unencumbered Wisconsin driver's license and safe driving record.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor settings.
• Work is performed in dangerous situations under an inordinate amount of stress.
• Work is performed in an environment in which the employee is subject to potential personal danger.
• This work requires the continuous exertion of up to 100 pounds of lifting/moving or force and continuous push/pull of up to 100 pounds or more while performing essential functions of the job.
• Work regularly requires the ability to stand, walk, sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and speak and hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.
• Acceptable verbal and conversation skills to effectively communicate with others in English.
• Ability to read and write English and interpret documents such as safety rules, material safety data sheets, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and so forth.
• Work may include outdoors in seasonal weather extremes.
• Exposures could include toxic chemicals, seasonal temperature extremes, and other possible unknown hazardous materials.
• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and following directions.
• May require interactions with persons who are hostile or aggressive, posing threatening conditions.