Fire Chief - Department Director

This job was posted by https://www.kansasworks.com : For more

information, please see: https://www.kansasworks.com/jobs/13556468

**The City of Wichita is NOT an E-Verify Employer.**

**Distinguishing Features of Work**

The City of Wichita is seeking a strategic and collaborative leader to

serve as its next Fire Chief. This is a high-impact role with the

largest city in Kansas and a Top 50 U.S. city, offering the opportunity

to lead a large and complex public safety organization that provides

critical fire, emergency medical, and disaster response services.

Leading the largest fire department in the state, the Fire Chief will

shape the direction of a highly skilled workforce dedicated to

protecting life and property. This role offers significant scale and

visibility, with direct impact on public safety outcomes and service

delivery across a growing and dynamic community.

The Fire Chief reports to the City Manager, and works closely with the

City Council, labor representatives, and executive leadership team to

align departmental strategies with organizational priorities. This is an

opportunity to strengthen operational readiness, support workforce

development, and advance a culture of accountability and continuous

improvement.

Wichita offers a unique combination of professional opportunity and

community impact. The City values leaders who bring practical solutions,

build strong relationships, and maintain a clear focus on results.

**The Role**

The Fire Chief leads all aspects of the Citys fire department and serves

as a key member of the executive leadership team. This position is

responsible for setting direction, establishing priorities, and ensuring

effective delivery of fire and emergency services.

Core areas of responsibility include fire suppression, fire prevention,

training, investigations, emergency medical services, and departmental

administration.

This role requires a leader who can operate at both a strategic and

operational level, providing clear direction while ensuring effective

execution. The Fire Chief oversees personnel, training, equipment, and

emergency response operations while promoting accountability, readiness,

and continuous improvement.

**Core Competencies**

• **Strategic Leadership:** Aligns departmental strategies with City
  
  

priorities and long-term public safety needs.

• **Operational and Technical Expertise:** Applies knowledge of
  
  

firefighting, emergency response, and prevention to improve

performance and outcomes.

• **Relationship Management and Communication:** Builds trust,
  
  

communicates clearly, and works effectively with employees,

leadership, and stakeholders.

• **Leadership and Team Development:** Develops staff, sets
  
  

expectations, and fosters a high-performing team environment.

• **Problem Solving and Decision Making:** Navigates complex
  
  

situations, manages risk, and makes timely, informed decisions.

• **Ethics and Integrity:** Demonstrates professionalism,
  
  

accountability, and consistent application of standards.

• **Adaptability and Innovation:** Leads through change and leverages
  
  

best practices and technology to improve service delivery.

• A relocation expense may be provided, with residency required within
  
  

the City limits.**

[Click here to discover more about the Fire Chief role and what makes

our City

unique](https://www.wichita.gov/DocumentCenter/View/37489/Wichita-Fire-Chief-PDF "Wichita Fire Chief PDF"){target="_blank"

rel="noopener"}.

**Examples of Work Performed**

• Plans departmental operations with respect to equipment, facilities,
  
  

apparatus, staffing and supervises plan implementation.

• Directs the improvement of work methods and enforcement of rules and
  
  

regulations.

• Sets the standard for high employee morale and engages with
  
  

employees at fire stations.

• Prepares budget estimates of anticipated expenditures.
• Assigns personnel and equipment, evaluates needs, and requisitions
  
  

new apparatus, equipment and communication systems.

• Evaluates readiness of department staff and develops programs to
  
  

enhance overall well-being.

• Oversees training academy and the proper training of recruit
  
  

classes.

• Establishes a fair promotional process for employee advancement.
• Responds to alarms and directs operations at the scene of large
  
  

emergencies.

• Ensures thorough investigation of fires and directs follow-up,
  
  

leading to the arrest and conviction of arsonists.

• Directs the inspection of properties for fire hazards, enforces fire
  
  

prevention regulations, and ensures elimination of fire hazards by

consistent, firm and equitable code administration.

• Directs departmental in-service training of personnel.
• Sets high expectations and demands accountability in all facets of
  
  

department operations.

• These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive.
• Other related duties may be assigned as needed.
  
  

**Req**