Fire Chief

THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of Fairfield offers a stellar fire leadership opportunity to a people-centric, big-picture leader who wants to create a shared vision for the Fairfield Fire Department’s next evolution.

 

ABOUT FAIRFIELD

Fairfield, the heart of Solano County, is a diverse and growing community located halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento, close to Napa and Sonoma. With 24 parks, numerous bike trails and two championship golf courses, Fairfield is a great family community with just under 120,000 residents. It is a thriving business hub with notable international companies such as Jelly Belly, Anheuser-Busch, Clorox, Ball Metal, and Meyer Corporation. It is home to a 1.0M sq. ft. regional shopping center, a large auto center, and Travis Air Force Base. Bordered by farms and vineyards, the City’s well-developed infrastructure and business-friendly attitude provide the foundation for strong growth and an enhanced quality of life.

 

THE DEPARTMENT

The mission of the Fire Department is to provide quality emergency services by highly trained and motivated professionals. Core values of pride, integrity, and respect are the Department’s foundation for success. As an all‐risk department, all stations and personnel are fully furnished with the necessary equipment to respond to any type of emergency call. Department operations are divided into six divisions – Administration, Prevention, EMS, Emergency Response, Emergency Management, and Training.

The Fairfield Fire Department provides its services through a FY 23/24 operating budget of $31.8 million and 79 FTE positions. Assisting the Fire Chief are two Deputy Chiefs, along with four Battalion Chiefs. Each of the Department’s five fire stations is staffed with an engine company composed of a captain, engineer and firefighter/paramedic.

 

THE POSITION

The Fire Chief is responsible for planning, organizing, directing and reviewing the activities and operations of the Fire Department and to minimize loss of life and property through fire prevention, fire suppression, building and fire inspection and by providing emergency medical services. The Fire Chief also coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager. Key responsibilities are developing, planning and implementing department goals and objectives; supervising and participating in the development and administration of the department budget; coordinating department activities with other departments and outside agencies and organizations; selecting, training, motivating and evaluating personnel; and providing staff assistance to the City Manager, Mayor and Council members.

The ideal candidate should be an authentic and accessible leader, bringing genuine care and concern for the City and the members of the Fire Department; have a progressive mindset and an ability to harness the unique contributions of staff from different generations and backgrounds; have experience in creating healthy labor-management relationships; and have an appreciation for the tradition of the fire service balanced with a deep desire toward progress and evolution.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

The following are the minimum requirements for the position:

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field. A Master’s Degree in Public Administration or Business Administration is highly desired.

Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible experience in upper-level fire management, including four years of administrative and management responsibility is required.

License or Certificates: Possession of a Chief Fire Officer certificate, issued by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal is required. Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License is required. Possession of a valid equivalent is acceptable during the application process.

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for the Fire Chief is up to $283,868, with placement salary dependent on qualifications. Retirement is provided through CalPERS. Classic members will be enrolled at the 3.0% at 50 benefit formula. New members hired after 1/1/2023 (PEPRA) will be enrolled at the 2.7% at 57 benefit formula. In addition, an excellent executive benefit package is provided including medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, deferred compensation with a generous city contribution, retirement health savings plan, 14 paid holidays, 12 days of annual sick leave, cashable personal leave annually, and generous vacation accrual. In addition, the City of Fairfield does not participate in Social Security.

To view the entire Benefits Summary, please click here.

 

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Interested candidates should apply online no later than Monday, October 9, 2023, at https://www.mosaicpublic.com/careers.

This recruitment will be handled with strict confidentiality. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. Confidential inquiries are welcomed to Greg Nelson or Bryan Noblett at (916) 550-4100.

The City of Fairfield is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism.