Chief of Department - Summit Fire & EMS, CO

Summit Fire & EMS Fire Protection District is seeking an experienced, fiscally disciplined, and collaborative fire and emergency services executive to serve as its next Chief of Department. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a respected, community-centered organization in Colorado's High Country while enjoying an exceptional mountain lifestyle.

Reporting directly to a five-member elected Board of Directors, the Chief serves as the District’s CEO, overseeing approximately 115 employees, a $32 million budget, five stations, and comprehensive all-hazards emergency services across 479 square miles.

The new Chief will:

• Direct and oversee all-hazards emergency operations and organizational strategy
  • Lead long-range financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and fiscal sustainability efforts
  • Guide capital planning, including station replacement and future land needs
  • Evaluate staffing, apparatus deployment, and service-delivery models
  • Develop the executive leadership team and establish succession and accountability systems
  • Strengthen recruitment, retention, labor, community, and interagency relationships
  • Maintain CFAI accreditation and the District’s current ISO rating while evaluating CAAS accreditation
  • Lead development of the District’s next strategic and vision plan

The successful candidate will be a visible, transparent, and a credible leader with strong command experience and a demonstrated understanding of the operational and financial complexities of an all-hazards organization. Experience should include fire suppression, EMS, hazardous materials, technical rescue, and wildland/WUI operations, along with the ability to build trust across the organization and community.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, or a related field
• 10-12 years of Fire and EMS experience, including at least five years in a Chief Officer role, with at least two years in a non-operational and/or administrative role
• Executive Fire Officer (EFO) certification from the National Fire Academy or Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence
• ICS 300 certification
• Must reside within Summit County within nine months of hire

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, or a related field
• ICS 400 certification
• Colorado Fire Officer III certification
• Chief EMS Officer (CEMSO) credential from the Center for Public Safety Excellence

All required certifications must be held at the time of hire. The CFO designation is particularly important to the Board.

The salary range for this position is $195,000-235,000 annually.