Emergency Response Chief (State Fire)

Salary: $100,000.00 - $112,000.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 61069532-189083
Agency: Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation
Division: State Fire
Opening Date: 06/02/2026
Closing Date: 6/17/2026 12:00 AM Eastern
Class Code:: AH50
Position Number:: 61069532
Normal Work Schedule:: Other
Normal Work Schedule (Other):: This position requires the ability to work flexible work hours.
Pay Grade: GEN12
Hiring Range - Min.: $100,000.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $112,000.00
Opening Date: 06/02/2026
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.


Job Responsibilities
Come join our team at the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) where you will experience work-life balance, great benefits, and an exciting career that supports the Agency's mission to make South Carolina a safe place to work and live.

Responsibilities

• You will serve as the Emergency Response Chief to provide executive-level leadership, program management and administration of the SC Fire Emergency Response Task Force System, including SC TF1 (Task Force 1), SC-HART (Helicopter Aquatic and Rescue Team), and SC Firefighter Mobilization Plan (FFMOB).
• You will deploy and respond to emergency scenes and large-scale disasters, working with a focus on administrative tasks and operational management.
• You will serve as the Firefighter Mobilization Statewide Coordinator and provide program management of the plan, including but not limited to the coordination of resources and functionality of the FFMOB request and tasking system.
• You will respond to emergency scenes as part of the FFMOB Management Team and Incident Support Team to assist local jurisdictions with resource requests and coordinating deployed resources.
• You will provide program management and support for Urban Search and Rescue teams and SC-HART, including facilitating meetings of team leadership and sponsoring agencies, serving as a system liaison, and ensuring a planned and organized staffing model exists for team deployments during routine emergencies and disasters.
• You will serve as an Operations Section Chief on the Incident Support Team, providing leadership and administrative support to maintain personnel and equipment in a constant state of operational readiness.
• You will coordinate routine and emergency response of personnel and State assets in the role of a State Fire Executive Officer and back-up Duty Chief, on a rotating schedule, and as member of the State Emergency Response Team.
• You will respond to emergency scenes as a member of the State Fire CLEAR Team to investigate, research, and collect data regarding the circumstances and factors contributing to a fire-related death or significant community loss.
• You will serve in various capacities on the IST during training, events and incidents, including Operations Section Chief and Incident Commander and maintain the necessary certifications and credentialing for the roles.
• You will serve as the State Fire liaison and representative for all incoming requests, offers, and mission assignments through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
• You will build mission-ready packages for all deployment configurations of SC-TF1 and SC-HART and may deploy as a member of SC-TF1 and/or SC-HART.
• You will perform other duties including, but not limited to, training, vehicle and fleet maintenance, preparing documentation for deployment reimbursements, preparing reports, maintaining policies and operational procedures, approving expenditures, procuring needed resources and equipment, assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of the program, and implementing needed changes.

Minimum and Additional Requirements
Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree and relevant program experience.
• A combination of education, relevant training, and/or experience may be considered in substitution for the bachelor's degree, upon approval of Human Resources.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree and experience in managing and coordinating resources during large-scale emergency incidents, including experience as a member of an Urban Search and Rescue Team and/or Fire-Rescue Chief Officer.
• Knowledge of agency and division policies and procedures, rules and regulations related to specific program functions.
• Knowledge of SC Firefighter Mobilization Plan.
• Knowledge of FEMA typing of emergency response assets and personnel.
• Knowledge of principles of emergency management, incident management and emergency response.
• Knowledge of the principles of fire-rescue administration.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Requires the ability to effectively manage time and resources.
• Must be able to wear appropriate personal protective equipment for duties assigned and maintain necessary certifications and competencies.
• Ability to perform critical thinking and comprehensive strategic and fiscal planning and management.
• Extensive knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of fire, rescue, EMS, incident management and emergency response.

Other Requirements

• Must be able to drive a state vehicle.
• Must have a valid driver's license and 10-year MVR that complies with State and Agency Fleet guidelines.
• Must be able to lift, carry, move and position objects weighing over 50 lbs.
• Requires daily and some overnight and weekend travel.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations.
• Holiday work may be required.
• Must be able to work in inclement/hazardous environments for extended periods of time.

Additional Comments
Benefits Offered

This position participates in the Police Officers Retirement System (PORS).

The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Health, dental, vision, long term disability, and life insurance for employee, spouse, and children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs

Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.


Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.


Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.


Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.


Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01


LLR requires individuals to complete an online application to apply for this position. You can access the website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, wherever you have internet access. Applicants will be required to submit a copy of their highest earned degree prior to an offer being extended. Applicants who will be required to drive a state or personal vehicle to regularly perform state duties will be required to submit an acceptable 10-year motor vehicle record (MVR) that complies with state and agency fleet guidelines. Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation in your application or the supplemental questions may result in your disqualification from employment. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. By completing the application, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree with the above.

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have experience managing work in a government environment? If yes, please describe your experience.
03


Do you have experience with formal oversight committees? If yes, please describe your experience.
04


Do you have experience leading or mentoring staff members? If yes, please describe your experience.
05


Do you have experience managing long range plans, budgets, and administrative documentation? If yes, please describe your experience.
06


Describe your organizational skills and time management disciplines.
07


Do you have certifications, qualifications, and related experience with an Urban Search and Rescue Team? If yes, please describe.
08


Do you have experience in the field of search and rescue? If yes, please describe your experience.
09


Do you have experience coordinating emergency response resources during large-scale incidents? If yes, please describe your experience.
10


Do you have Incident Management Team certifications, like the National Fire Academy All-Hazards Incident Management Teams (O-305) or position-specific certifications? If yes, please list all related certifications and Incident Management Team experience.
11


Do you have experience planning and executing large-scale training and exercises using the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)? If yes, please describe your experience.
12


Have you listed ALL of your previous positions or jobs held for the past 10 years?

• Yes
• No

13


Have you ever worked for the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation? If yes, please provide the approximate dates of work and the last job title held at LLR.
14


Have you ever worked for a South Carolina state agency? If yes, please provide the agency name(s), approximate dates of work with each agency, and last job title held for the agency.
15


Are you willing to accept a salary within the range of $100,000 to $112,000?

• Yes
• No

16


How did you hear about this position with LLR?

• Careers.sc.gov
• Indeed
• Facebook
• Firejobs.com
• Firerescue1.com
• Family or Friend
• LLR Employee
• Other

Required Question