What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Fire Chief position at City of Salem, Oregon?
Job Summary
The Fire Department is hiring a Deputy Fire Chief!
Make an impact: The Deputy Fire Chief directs and manages the operations of an assigned division of the Fire Department. As one of the department’s nine executive command staff members, the Deputy Chief provides strategic direction, oversees division functions, and ensures effective service delivery in support of the department’s mission. Deputy Chiefs play a crucial role in shaping policy, guiding personnel development, ensuring operational readiness, and representing the department to city leaders, labor groups, partner agencies, and the community.
What you will do: We are currently seeking a Deputy Chief of Training and anticipate additional openings in the spring. We are looking for well-rounded individuals who can serve in any Deputy Chief role within the organization. The advertisement outlines the various Deputy Chief positions within the department and our intent to establish an eligibility list to fill one current vacancy (possibly in the Training Division) and one anticipated vacancy in the spring of 2026, as well as other possible future openings.
- Direct and manage assigned division operations, including day-to-day activities, staff, and resources.
- Contribute to strategic planning, policy development, and organizational initiatives.
- Supervise, mentor, and evaluate assigned personnel to support professional growth and performance.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and represent the department on boards, commissions, and committees.
What can we offer you for all your hard work?
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
- Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
- Competitive pay.
- Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
- Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
- Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
- Voluntary long-term care.
- Employee wellness program.
- Employee assistance program.
- Employee health clinic.
- Position schedule is Monday – Friday, hours vary as needed. The City offers an excellent compensation and benefits package
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- The City of Salem offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Equal Pay.
What are the minimum qualifications?
- Must pass the pre-employment background check and drug test.
- Must have an Oregon Driver’s license and meet the City of Salem’s driving standards.
- Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science or related field; and seven or more years of progressively responsible full-time continuous fire service employment, five years of increasingly responsible command and management experience at the Executive Officer level (as a Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, Deputy or Division Chief, or Battalion Chief). Experience in fire and/or emergency medical services, including divisional or departmental management experience, and labor relations; or any equivalent combination of experience, education and training that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed, and ability to perform the essential job functions.
- Applicable Incident Command System coursework certification is required for the assignment.
Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to include how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification in your application.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Relevant work experience in an organization with similar size, complexity, and population served.
- EMT – Basic certification
- Bachelor’s degree
- Fire Officer II
- National Fire Academy EFO
- CPSE CFO credential
- International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI)
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Principles, methods, and practices of leadership, management, and organizational development.
- Advanced knowledge of fire service operations, emergency response, firefighting, fire prevention, EMS, disaster management, and fire control operations.
- Budgeting, financial management, and cost control.
- Labor relations and personnel management.
- Incident Command System practices and emergency planning for large-scale incidents.
- Ability to communicate clearly with diverse audiences, in public forums, and during emergencies.
- Ability to lead under pressure, direct large-scale operations, and ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
- Commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
Physical Requirements:
- Exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly.
- May require climbing, stooping, kneeling, or manual dexterity for typing.
- Must express and exchange ideas verbally and receive detailed information through oral communication.
- Visual acuity necessary for reading, transcribing, data analysis, and inspections.
- Work is performed in environments with exposure to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, fumes, chemicals, extreme temperatures, poor ventilation, intense noise, and disruptive or dangerous situations.
- Not eligible for remote work due to the essential nature of public safety and emergency services.
About us: Salem is the second largest city in Oregon and the capital city. Centrally located in the Willamette Valley, Salem is 49 square miles in size and extends across to counties, Marion and Polk. The community has well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings with wide diversity and a family-friendly ambiance. The city is home to nearly 180,000 residents. For a full community profile detailing demographics and housing statistics, visit the City of Salem website.
The City of Salem organization has eight primary departments: Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community Planning and Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City of Salem employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members and works collaboratively with five labor unions.
Where can I find out more about the position?
Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Deputy Fire Chief.
How can I apply?
The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to, and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.
Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.
You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City of Salem through the Job Interest Cards – sign up today!
For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN IMPLIED CONTRACT AND MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE