Fire Assistant Chief

THE POSITION

Please Note:
A candidate must successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check, fingerprinting, p olygraph test, psychological test, credit check, and a drug use history, to be considered for this position.

The Sacramento Fire Department is seeking an Assistant Chief to supervise staff, manage budgets, and foster operational excellence and culture. This vital leadership position requires a collaborative, forward-thinking professional who thrives in a dynamic, service-oriented environment.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The ideal candidate is an experienced leader with a proven track record of managing teams, developing staff, and achieving results. They will demonstrate initiative, be solution- and results-oriented, and demonstrate the ability to handle complex challenges professionally and ethically.

The Assistant Chief, a key advisor and representative for the Fire Chief and the executive team, will be a diplomatic and engaging leader. They will build relationships across staff, City departments, labor partners, and external organizations. Committed to transparency, they will be visible, accessible, and collaborative, promoting shared goals, accountability, and morale.

The candidate will be a thoughtful, innovative manager skilled in both strategic and tactical tasks. They will lead with emotional intelligence and resilience, empower employees, and foster a positive workplace culture. They will oversee budget development, requiring strong fiscal management skills.

The candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, shaping a vision of equitable public service that reflects Sacramento’s diversity and builds public trust. Their role is primarily managerial and administrative; however, they also have the ability and responsibility to respond to complex and evolving emergencies as directed or required by the department.

With a deep understanding of modern fire and emergency services, the Assistant Chief will be a creative, inspiring leader who builds on the department’s legacy of excellence and prepares it for future success and innovative practices.

DEFINITION

Under general direction, the Fire Assistant Chief coordinates and supervises on-duty activities for an assigned shift or manages a division, and relieves the Fire Deputy Chief of routine administrative tasks. The Fire Assistant Chief manages fire ground activities, coordinates scheduling and personnel matters; manages communications center and dispatching; coordinates and carries out emergency medical services planning, fire inspections, and public fire safety education; conducts firefighter evaluations and testing; develops budget; and completes reports.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a senior-management level sworn classification populated by multiple incumbents. The Fire Assistant Chief is responsible for a wide variety of administrative duties, which may fall outside of normal business hours. This classification is distinguished from the lower
classification of Fire Battalion Chief in that the Assistant Chief has overall battalion responsibility for the department's training, communications, fire prevention programs, or a suppression battalion, while the Battalion Chief supervises a group of companies in an assigned
battalion. It is distinguished from the higher-ranking classification of Fire Deputy Chief in that the latter serves in an administrative capacity and directs the operations, personnel, or support services activities for the entire Department.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General direction is provided by the Fire Deputy Chief. Responsibilities may include the direct supervision of Fire Battalion Chiefs, other sworn personnel, and other subordinate personnel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

TYPICAL DUTIES

- Responds to major alarm and hazardous materials emergencies, manages fire ground activities, and coordinates critical incident debriefing sessions; supervises fire scene investigations, including case review and follow-up; coordinates arson and special investigations.
- Prepares and maintains a strike team leader schedule; monitors and reviews daily shift roll call, leave, injury, and accident reports, etc.; coordinates on-duty battalion activities; submits Daily Battalion Activity Log for each shift; serves as public information officer, provides news releases, and acts as news media contact; inspects fire stations periodically; coordinates fire inspections of specialized risks such as educational facilities, institutions.
- Serves as communication center liaison officer; develops dispatching policies and procedures; coordinates dispatcher training, coordinates CAD Geofile system; manages radio and telephone systems; maintains mobile and portable radio inventory; coordinates various public fire safety
education programs, such as tours and speakers, Fire Prevention Month, high-rise evacuations, Safetyville programs;
- Conducts evaluations and testing for Fire Recruits, probationary Firefighters, company standards maintenance, and promotional examination preparation; and coordinates emergency medical services planning and preparedness, advanced first aid training, and CPR recertification.
- As City Fire Marshal plans, outlines, and assigns work of fire prevention inspectors and reviews their reports; studies existing fire safety regulations and recommends revisions; makes regular inspections of company personnel, quarters, equipment, and records, and reviews and reports on company drills; prepares reports on drills conducted, equipment operations, and employee efficiency.
- Acts as director of training; conducts classroom lectures, gives demonstrations on fire protection and fire fighting methods and practices; demonstrates (or arranges for demonstration by skilled instructors) the proper methods of forcible entry, rope work, ladder work, ventilation, and salvage; demonstrates rescue and first-aid methods and equipment.
- Develops, submits, and monitors operational and planning budgets; reviews and directs development of grant proposals; leads or participates in various departmental committees and groups, serves as a member of the departmental administrative staff.
- Conducts pre-fire planning activities, reviews safety equipment requests and quarterly safety clothing reports; coordinates the movement and repairs of apparatus, reviews F-14 forms to determine the urgency of repairs; ensures that vehicles are fueled and serviced; reviews station, grounds, or equipment inspection reports and resolves related problem.
- Performs other or related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

- Modern firefighting and fire prevention principles, practices, and procedures.
- Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Hazardous Materials Response, Technical Rescue, health and safety codes and regulations, investigations, and fire prevention.
- Rules and regulations of Fire Department; State, Federal, and local standards, laws and regulations.
- Fire hazards involved in various types of construction and in the storage of flammable materials and explosives.
- Operation and maintenance of the various types of equipment and apparatus used by the Fire Department.
- Geography of the City, location of water mains and fire hydrants, and the location of major fire hazards in the City.
- Training methods and materials.
- Principles and methods of personnel management, conflict resolution, coaching, team building.
- Basic computer software and hardware.
- Radio and telephone communications systems and methods of operation; communication center dispatching policies and procedures.
- Management of information.

Skill in:

- Use of computers, computer applications and software.

Ability to:

- Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
- Determine and appraise principal fire hazards.
- Respond quickly and effectively at times of emergency and high stress.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, officials, and the general public.
- Analyze investigations and complaints and provide resolution.
- Prepare clear and concise reports.
- Formulate and conduct a comprehensive training program.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Five years of responsible supervisory and administrative sworn fire experience including six months of experience at the level of Fire Battalion Chief.

Education:

An Associate's degree in fire science, fire technology, or a closely related field.

Substitution:

Additional supervisory experience may substitute for the education on a year for year basis.

A Bachelor's degree in fire technology, fire science or management, public or business administration or a related field may substitute for non-management experience on a year for year basis to a maximum of two years.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver's License:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Background:

Must successfully complete a background investigation

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE

Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline ;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
  • If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
• Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
• Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment.

2. Supplemental Questionnaire: (Pass/Fail) - In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, all applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire to the City of Sacramento Employment Office by the final filing deadline ;

• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire must be submitted online; paper questionnaire will not be accepted.
• Incomplete supplemental questionnaire will not pass the review process; omitted information cannot be considered or assumed.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the supplemental questionnaire.
• Possession of the minimum qualifications is not necessarily a guarantee for further advancement in the selection process.

3. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail) - All applications received by the final filing deadline will be forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.

4. Interview Process: Human Resources will forward applications to the hiring department. Those determined to be the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process.

5. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan/fingerprinting. If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.

QUESTIONS:
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
• For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Application Support at 855-524-5627.
• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment ;
• Send an email to employment@cityofsacramento.org ; or
• Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information

Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf

Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html

Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf

Closing Date/Time: 7/22/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Sacramento

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