Battalion Chief

Salary : $116,592.00 - $148,800.00 Annually
Location : Los Banos, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 07-2026
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 07/29/2026
Closing Date: 8/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Max Number of Applicants: 25


Description
*QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING NEXT STEPS ONCE THE RECRUITMENT CLOSES*

*ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A RESUME AND LETTER OF INTEREST*

DEFINITION

To assist the Fire Chief in managing and directing the Fire Department; to plan, organize and direct technical, management and administrative work involved in commanding and coordinating fire emergency activities, fire prevention and education, apparatus maintenance, fire inspection, and investigation activities; and to provide highly complex staff assistance to the Fire Chief.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Fire Chief. Exercises direct supervision over assigned sworn and non-sworn personnel.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Reliable and dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Assist the Fire Chief in managing and directing the Fire Department.
• Assist in developing department goals and objectives; assist in the development of and implementation of policies and procedures.
• Plan, organize and direct fire related activities including fire suppression, fire investigations, training, fire inspections, and basic life support operations.
• Develop and implement division work plans; assign work activities, projects and programs; monitor work flow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures.
• Plan, organize and oversee the various Divisions of the department; i.e. Administration, Training and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), etc.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for equipment, materials and supplies; monitor and control expenditures.
• Recommend the appointment of personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; implement discipline procedures as directed; maintain discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the department.
• Maintain emergency equipment, apparatus, and facilities.
• Oversee and participate in fire suppression, basic life support and first aid, fire and fire investigations, and fire inspection activities.
• Plan, organize and implement department training for fire suppression, heavy rescue operations, driver operator and other fire related topics.
• Conduct commercial occupancy inspections on new and existing occupancies; plan check new commercial construction as it relates to fire related systems.
• Serve in the absence of the Fire Chief, including leading and overseeing the volunteer fire services program.
• Represent the department to outside groups and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance as necessary.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.
• Research, prepare, and present technical, administrative, and City Council Agenda reports; prepare written correspondence.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Serve as an Incident Commander or other command or support role on an incident.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Detailed Work Activities
Knowledge of :

• Principles, practices, methods and techniques of modern fire suppression and life safety activities.
• Operation, maintenance and uses of firefighting apparatus and equipment.
• Modern fire prevention and investigation techniques.
• Modern hazardous material containment practices.
• Principles and practices of policy development and implementation.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Principles and practices of business correspondence and report writing.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal rules, regulations and laws.
• Principles and practices of budget development, implementation, and monitoring.
• Principles and practices of organizational analysis and management.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Ability to :

• Organize, direct and implement comprehensive fire suppression, life safety and fire investigation and inspection programs.
• On a continuous basis, analyze budget and technical reports; interpret and evaluate staff reports; know laws, regulations and codes; observe performance and evaluate staff; problem solve department related issues; remember various rules and procedures; and explain and interpret policy.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk and in meetings for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone; write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift or carry weight 100 pounds of or less.
• Effectively operate all fire suppression equipment with Department.
• Develop and implement programs to meet the needs of the City and residents.
• Prepare and administer a budget.
• Supervise, train and evaluate personnel.
• Remain calm and focused during emergency operations.
• Interpret and explain Department policies and procedures.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform the assigned duties as well as those of a firefighter.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be age eighteen (18) by date of application.
• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
• Associates degree from an accredited college or university in fire suppression or related field
• Possession of a valid California Class C driver license with Firefighter endorsement or Commercial Class A or B with endorsements.
• Possession of a current State of California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) card is required at time of application. A course completion certificate is NOT adequate.
• Possession of a valid California Firefighter I Certificate.
• Possession of a valid California Fire Officer Certificate
• Possession of a valid California Chief Officer Certificate, or ability to obtain within eighteen (18) months following hire date.
• Possession of a valid HAZMAT Operations and Awareness Certificate.
• Possession of a HAZMAT Incident Commander Certificate within 6 months.
• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible command and supervisory experience in an organized career fire department, and two (2) years of experience at the rank of Fire Captain.

The City offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

a) Retirement: California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)

b) Health Insurance: The City pays approved CalPERS health insurance premiums through CalPERS for employee only and partial dependent costs

c) Dental and Vision Insurance: The City pays approved dental and vision insurance premiums for employee and a portion of dependent coverage

d) Life Insurance: The City provides $50,000 in life insurance coverage for the employee, with optional buy-up coverage available

e) Vacation Leave: Beginning on the date of hire, employees accrue 6.67 hours per full calendar month (equivalent to 80 hours annually) during the first five (5) years of service. Employees with five (5) to fifteen (15) years of service accrue 10 hours per full calendar month (120 hours annually). Employees with more than fifteen (15) years of service accrue 13.36 hours per full calendar month (160 hours annually)

f) Sick Leave: Accrued at a rate of one (1) day per month with no maximum accumulation

g) Deferred Compensation: Optional participation in plans offered through Mission Square, Nationwide, or Empower

For a complete listing of benefits, please refer to theapplicable to this position.
01


Are you at least eighteen (18) years of age?

• Yes
• No

02


Have you completed the twelfth grade or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have an Associates degree from an accredited college or university in fire suppression or related field?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you possess a valid California Class C driver license with Firefighter endorsement or Commercial Class A or B with endorsements?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you possess a current State of California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) card? Please note this is required at the time of application. A course completion certificate is NOT adequate.

• Yes
• No

06


Do you possess a valid California Firefighter I Certificate?

• Yes
• No

07


Do you possess a valid HAZMAT Operations and Awareness Certificate?

• Yes
• No

08


Do you possess a valid California Fire Officer Certificate?

• Yes
• No

09


Do you understand you must possess a HAZMAT Incident Commander Certificate within 6 months?

• Yes
• No

10


Do you have two (2) years of increasingly responsible command and supervisory experience in an organized career fire department and two (2) years of experience at the rank of Fire Captain?

• Yes
• No

11


Do you possess a valid California Chief Officer Certificate, or ability to obtain within eighteen (18) months following hire date?

• Yes
• No

Required Question