Deputy Fire Chief of Emergency Operations

The City of Hillsboro is seeking a dynamic and engaging leader to join our Fire & Rescue Department.

This position will be a member of the Executive Team who along with the Fire Chief will help to continue to expand upon Hillsboro Fire & Rescue’s reputation as one of the leading organizations in the nation while constantly looking for ways to innovate and improve.

Hillsboro Community

Hillsboro is one of Oregon’s most diverse and dynamic cities, with a steadily growing population of 111,000 residents. Hillsboro is the largest city in Washington County and serves as the county seat. During the workday, more than 50,000 employees commute to Hillsboro by car, bicycle, bus, or light rail train to work at companies such as Intel, Genentech, and the Hillsboro and Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers. With its thriving economy, Hillsboro is the home of Oregon’s fourth-largest school district, two higher-education campuses, and 30 parks with more than 1,500 acres of designated green spaces, including Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve and the Orenco Woods Nature Park.

Known as a progressive and visionary organization, the City of Hillsboro enjoys a reputation of excellence in its long-term strategic and fiscal planning. The City welcomes and values each resident, business, and guest by providing exceptional and equitable public services. Like the residents they serve, City of Hillsboro employees are passionate about fostering a culturally inclusive community. Annual community events include the Oregon International Air Show, the Hillsboro Latino Cultural Festival, and one of the largest 4th of July parades in the Northwest. The Hillsboro Hops, the only professional baseball team in the Portland metro area, entertain fans during home games at the City’s baseball stadium, Hillsboro Hops Ballpark.

City Government

Hillsboro is a financially conservative, yet innovative and forward-thinking, full-service City. They respect and value their diverse population and take pride in having an open, entrepreneurial and cooperative approach toward serving residents, businesses, and community partners. Success means working together to provide exceptional and equitable municipal services and plan for a bright future for Hillsboro.

Hillsboro operates under a Council/Manager form of government with voters electing six Councilors and a Mayor. Policy decisions are the responsibility of the Council and Mayor. Administrative functions are carried out by the City Manager and manager-appointed staff. The City has over 800 full-time employees and 400 part-time/temporary employees. City Departments include: the City Manager’s Office, Economic and Community Development, Finance, Fire & Rescue, Human Resources, Information Services, Library, Parks and Recreation, Police, Public Works, and Water. Hillsboro strives to be the best City government imaginable. They are bold, optimistic, and growing rapidly and thoughtfully. Hillsboro’s goal is to be the public employer of choice, and they continually look for ways to create the best working environment for their employees.

Fire & Rescue Department

The Mission of the Hillsboro Fire & Rescue Department is to Respond to the Needs of the Community While Demonstrating Professionalism and Excellence in Every Aspect of Our Fire and Rescue Service Delivery System.

A day in the life of a Hillsboro Fire & Rescue Deputy Fire Chief is filled with both challenge and opportunity. The department serves a growing community of over 111,000 residents and partners with neighboring fire departments and special districts in response throughout Washington County. Fire, rescue, and advanced life support level emergency medical services are delivered by six engine companies, a truck company, two rescue companies, and a Battalion Chief from six fire stations. Fire prevention, investigation, and community risk reduction activities are provided as well. The City’s Emergency Management team are also members of the department.

We recently opened an additional fire station in the South Hillsboro community. Along with the recruitment, selection, and training of additional firefighters, we are anticipating numerous retirements of our most senior members over the next several years. We are excited to have several new members in our promoted ranks. The Deputy Fire Chief needs to be skillful in the training and professional development of a diverse and talented workforce. We are currently planning on the relocation of an existing fire station.

The ideal candidate can establish and foster relationships with the various City, County, and State departments and organizations we coordinate with routinely. Examples include the Transportation Division of the Economic and Community Development, Human Resources, Information Services, Police, and Water Departments, Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency, Washington County Emergency Medical Services Alliance, Washington County Fire Defense Board, Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Forestry. A history of working in partnership with an International Fire Fighters Association Local is important.

Position

The City of Hillsboro is seeking a Deputy Chief to lead the Emergency Operations Section of the Hillsboro Fire & Rescue Department. This position will be a member of the department’s Executive Team and will work under the general direction of the Fire Chief.

The Deputy Chief of Emergency Operations is a peer to the Deputy Fire Chief of Administration that has primary responsibility to oversee support services, capital projects, technical and communications projects, and fire prevention and investigation services.

The Deputy Fire Chief of Emergency Operations will have primary responsibility for fire suppression, rescue operations, emergency medical response services, training and professional development, and related activities in support of these functions. Assignments are based on Department needs and may change at the discretion of the Fire Chief.

Priorities

The selected Deputy Fire Chief will have excellent opportunities to build upon the many strengths within the organization as well as address challenges that will require inspired leadership and collaboration including:

• Building strong and cohesive relationships with the workforce, labor groups and external stakeholders.
• Support ongoing health and wellness initiatives while ensuring utmost safety for all staff of the Department.
• Ensure effective and efficient internal management of the organization, incorporating an esprit de corps, improved morale, and professional decorum appropriate for a high-performance organization.
• Continue to improve countywide emergency response services performance and coordination with the Hillsboro Police Department.
• Enhance relationships with an array of partner agencies on local, regional, statewide, and national levels.
• Formalize and implement succession planning throughout the organization including promotional exams, and implementing improved programs to recruit, train, and retain qualified women and minorities.
• Instill strong leadership characteristics at all command levels to develop future leaders.

Ideal Candidate

Our Ideal Candidate for both positions will have skills in:

• Creating and administrating department budgets
• Developing and Implementing a Strategic Plan
• Labor and Employment Relations
• Political astuteness while remaining neutral
• Sound decision making and leading through change
• Leading a respectful and professional workplace by example
• Being Ethical and Trustworthy in every interaction
• Instilling a Culture of Safety
• Building and developing teams
• Coaching and Mentoring staff

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field; and ten years of experience as a Fire Battalion Chief or Fire Division Chief, including five years of leadership; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Salary Range: $148,560 - $195,495 (Depending on Qualifications)

Terms: Full-time, exempt position with benefits

Close: 11:59 pm, Sunday, February 1, 2026

Benefits: For a complete list of the City’s extensive Benefit Package, please visit Hillsboro-Oregon.gov/Benefits

To Apply: Please visit Hillsboro-Oregon.gov/Jobs.

Job Classification: governmentjobs.com/careers/hillsboro/classspecs/1037901

To Be Considered

The City of Hillsboro offers a rewarding career serving the residents of their community by supporting vital infrastructures, strong neighborhoods, public safety, economic vitality, and a sustainable future for all to enjoy. The City is looking for team members who share their core values.

• Leading with ethics, integrity, and accountability
• Employee well-being and safety
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Stewardship of public trust
• Innovative and sustainable planning
• Responsive city services

Licensing/Certifications

• Valid Driver’s License and safe driving record;
• Emergency Medical Technician – Basic Certification or higher;
• Oregon Department of Public Safety, Standards and Training (DPSST) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Instructor II certification or equivalent
• DPSST or NFPA Fire Officer II or equivalent;
• Incident Command courses: IS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 & 800;
• Applicable Incident Command System coursework or certification in area of assignment;
• Completion of the Executive Fire Officer Program and Chief Fire Officer Designation are preferred but not required

Commitment To Equity

Hiring a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve is essential to delivering exceptional City services and programs. The City of Hillsboro is committed to creating and supporting an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees to thrive. We value, respect, and empower employees as unique individuals with authentic voices and diverse ideas.