CO - Fire Chief - Central City - First Review: 06/21/2026

Job Overview Salary: $118,000 – $160,00 Located 38 miles west of Denver, Central City is one of Colorado’s most historic mountain communities. Set high in the Rocky Mountains, the city holds designation as a National Historic Landmark District. Founded during the 1859 Pike’s Peak Gold Rush and long known as “The Richest Square Mile on Earth,” Central City’s identity remains closely tied to its mining heritage, reflected in the preserved buildings, brick streets, cultural landmarks, and mountain setting that continue to define the community. Worldclass skiing at Eldora, Winter Park, and Loveland is within an hour, and Rocky Mountain National Park, the Continental Divide, and the rivers of the high country are all easily accessible. Central City operates under a Mayor-Council-Manager form of government, where elected officials set policy and a professional City Manager oversees daily operations and service delivery. The City provides a broad range of municipal services, including administration, finance, human resources, planning and community services, public works, water utilities, fire protection, and law enforcement services. Department Overview Established in 1869, the Central City Fire Department provides all-hazards emergency response, including structural and wildland fire response, emergency medical response, rescue, vehicle extrication, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, inspections, public education, and community safety services. The department has historically operated on a strong volunteer foundation and is now transitioning toward a more sustainable combination staffing model. The department maintains two full‑time and three part‑time positions. Personnel include the Fire Chief, a firefighter, a fleet and resource specialist, a fire and rescue specialist, and a fire department apprentice, supported by volunteer firefighters and mutual aid partners. The department operates from two fire stations. Fire protection services are budgeted at $573,887, with additional public safety resources budgeted through a Public Safety Fund of $512,396. Responsibilities Reporting to the City Manager, the Fire Chief is responsible for administering all operations of the Central City Fire Department, including budgeting, purchasing, personnel supervision, emergency response, fire prevention, public education, training, planning, policy development, interagency coordination, and operational readiness. The Fire Chief serves as the City’s Designated Emergency Response Authority for hazardous materials incidents and maintains command responsibility at structural, wildland, and interface fire scenes. The Fire Chief prepares and manages the department budget, monitors expenditures, oversees purchasing, prepares RFPs, and pursues grant opportunities that support department growth. Qualifications Required Education & Experience: A high school diploma or equivalent (GED). A bachelor’s degree in fire science, business management, public administration, or another applicable field. However, a combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. A minimum of seven (7) years of firefighting experience, including at least three (3) years in a Captain or equivalent leadership role for a full‑time fire service organization. Experience working with or supervising volunteer fire personnel. NIMS Incident Command training at the level appropriate for the Department. Must hold and maintain a credential or equivalent experience to perform command or support functions in all‑hazards or wildfire incidents. EMT Certification, including EMT‑B, EMT‑B+, or EMT‑I. (For preferred education and experience, refer to the full position profile.) Application To apply online, visit the Prothman Company Open Recruitments page. For questions, call View phone number on click.appcast.io. Apply by June 21, 2026 (First review, open until filled). Equal Opportunity Employer Central City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr